Ronnie "The Shark" Clark -My Views following your comments

[markhdunlop]

Hi Everyone,
Great reading all your comments on Ronnie Clarks great victory over Zelpha Barrett on Saturday night. As Ronnie’s manager I would like to tell you all how proud of him and his performance in a contest that only his inner circle really believed he would win.
Before “The Sharks” Contest on my show in Belfast on 3rd Feb we got a call with the offer for the Barrett fight which I accepted but then got word first hand that the same call was made to others with less experience than Ronnie so we just brushed the offer aside and Ronnie went back home to Scotland and took the week of, we got a call back when there where was only 18 days left until the contest but as Ronnie always says “he fears no man” so he dived at the Barrett fight.
So with 18 days to get ready we arrived in London and showed everyone who was boss from start to finish and not only won over the whole York Hall but I think every boxing fan in the Globe, Ronnie clearly won the contest with the only disappointment being the English judge clearly sitting on the fence and giving it a draw and denying “The Shark” the unanimous decision he deserved.
Loosing this fight was never on the cards for us and we won as expected with a lot of people in the know backing him at odds of 10-1 to 14-1.
Now as for Barrett saying he would like a rematch and some people thought he won then believe me we will oblige in a heart beat and, as well as finishing of Zelpha Barrett’s career with a victory that will be guaranteed easier for us with a full training camps notice and not the 18 days notice Ronnie will get well paid in the process.
Everyone let me tell you this, Ronnie will fight any of them names you talk of, he is in his prime and welcomes any challenge as a true champion would. To be fair he also sells a lot of tickets with fans travelling regularly to Belfast and far to watch him.
Fact he brought more to London than Barrett did and he was the away fighter.
Last year Ronnie was due to face Barrett in an BBBofC ordered Eliminator for the British Super Featherweight before his run of misfortune which is now over and done with so I will be pushing for Ronnie to get the winner of Bowen v Hughes for the British, both of their managers I have great relationships with and will not disrespect them but they hold no fears for the Shark and the winner will be granted a voluntary defence before the Mandatory is called so this would not happen before October unless they pick Ronnie for that contest.
Ronnie will win the BT and give Barrett that rematch if he wants it!
Now other 139A9749.JPG and promoters may say they are in front of Ronnie ect but I don't give a toss boxing is full of opinions and my view is Ronnie’s challenge to Martin J Ward was certainly the best of all of his defences and Im sure MJ will agree.
Ronnie has an 18 month contract with FWP witch he will be honouring being such an honourable man, I will ensure he is kept busy and entertaining his growing his army of fans both on my shows and FWP.
Next stop: 14th April Europa Hotel Belfast
“Its the year of the Shark”

Many Thanks
Mark H Dunlop

[JamieM]

Politics are for politicians. Line them up and Ronnie will fight them all. As Ronnie put it he will walk threw the open doors but if there not open then he's gonna open them himself. Said before the fight he's the most real fighter in the UK and he's Bang on the money. He doesn't care about anything but fighting. He was back in the gym the Sunday night with his friends. Lives to fight. I hope allegedly realise you don't need to be a poster boy to be given opportunities. No fighter in the UK has fought more top 10 ranked opponents domestically than Ronnie. We Will also be coming in numbers and just like you all heard in the York hall we take over any place we go.

[rab]

to be fair he could easily be made a poster boy of sorts. great back story with the kick boxing ,has an enthusiastic personality a distinctive look and came across good on the telly for me. you could tell how keen he is just to be given a chance.

if he fights like that on 18 days notice considering the amount of good body shots he took i look forward to seeing him fight off a full camp. most on here are more knowledgeable than me about boxers and the game in general but i see no reason why he can't have a very good few years in front of him and some good pay days . a bit of effort from his promoter should easily put a good few more people through the doors of shows he is on and with his style i can't see him being in a bad fight, good for the telly people.

[Stuffs]

I'm a big fan of Barrett and have watched him on small hall shows for a number of years now.

This fight, Clark clearly won. Better fighter on the night, and I've seen Barrett do a lot better. For me, he underestimated Clark, and Clark wanted it more. But that's all I'd accuse him of.

Unless something was said behind the scenes, I think comments about ending his career are a little uncalled for.

[semtexreilly]

Barrett comes across as a really nice lad to me,as have most boxers I've met over the years,hes still a young man and learning all the time,if I was him I wouldn't be in a rush for a rematch tbh

[rab]

regarding barrett i have been a fan for a while now . i thought he put up a great fight against someone that just wanted it more and was a bit more ring savvy . it will be a long time and some levels up before he gets hit with a shot that clean again.

i think his reaction to the knockdown and quick recovery showed his gameness and tremendous fitness(reminded me of how calzaghe used to react to a heavy knockdown). he is a well schooled young lad with a bright future in boxing. most boxers come up against someone in their career that has their number, i think it will be a good lesson for barrett at a crucial stage in his career that he can learn from.

again, all imo.

[Black Sam Bellamy]

“Now as for Barrett saying he would like a rematch and some people thought he won then believe me we will oblige in a heart beat and, as well as finishing of Zelpha Barrett’s career with a victory that will be guaranteed easier for us with a full training camps notice and not the 18 days notice Ronnie will get well paid in the process.“

Unpleasant.

[rpms]

Really pleased for Ronnie and his team,and its reassuring that was given a fair decision.
Hope that he gets the oppentunities he now deserves too

[JamieM]

Think your all taking that comment a different way. When zelfa loses that rematch he's nowhere to go and he certainly won't have a contract. I think with more notice Ronnie will stop him. He's made for Ronnie who improves after each fight and the issue wasn't he underestimated him it's that zelfa does not have what it takes to keep him off. A few year ago we chased Michael Roberts junior for the same reasons and we see zelfa the exact same way. Styles make fights .

[Alba]

Hi Everyone,
Great reading all your comments on Ronnie Clarks great victory over Zelpha Barrett on Saturday night. As Ronnie’s manager I would like to tell you all how proud of him and his performance in a contest that only his inner circle really believed he would win.
Before “The Sharks” Contest on my show in Belfast on 3rd Feb we got a call with the offer for the Barrett fight which I accepted but then got word first hand that the same call was made to others with less experience than Ronnie so we just brushed the offer aside and Ronnie went back home to Scotland and took the week of, we got a call back when there where was only 18 days left until the contest but as Ronnie always says “he fears no man” so he dived at the Barrett fight.
So with 18 days to get ready we arrived in London and showed everyone who was boss from start to finish and not only won over the whole York Hall but I think every boxing fan in the Globe, Ronnie clearly won the contest with the only disappointment being the English judge clearly sitting on the fence and giving it a draw and denying “The Shark” the unanimous decision he deserved.
Loosing this fight was never on the cards for us and we won as expected with a lot of people in the know backing him at odds of 10-1 to 14-1.
Now as for Barrett saying he would like a rematch and some people thought he won then believe me we will oblige in a heart beat and, as well as finishing of Zelpha Barrett’s career with a victory that will be guaranteed easier for us with a full training camps notice and not the 18 days notice Ronnie will get well paid in the process.
Everyone let me tell you this, Ronnie will fight any of them names you talk of, he is in his prime and welcomes any challenge as a true champion would. To be fair he also sells a lot of tickets with fans travelling regularly to Belfast and far to watch him.
Fact he brought more to London than Barrett did and he was the away fighter.
Last year Ronnie was due to face Barrett in an BBBofC ordered Eliminator for the British Super Featherweight before his run of misfortune which is now over and done with so I will be pushing for Ronnie to get the winner of Bowen v Hughes for the British, both of their managers I have great relationships with and will not disrespect them but they hold no fears for the Shark and the winner will be granted a voluntary defence before the Mandatory is called so this would not happen before October unless they pick Ronnie for that contest.
Ronnie will win the BT and give Barrett that rematch if he wants it!
Now other 139A9749.JPG and promoters may say they are in front of Ronnie ect but I don't give a toss boxing is full of opinions and my view is Ronnie’s challenge to Martin J Ward was certainly the best of all of his defences and Im sure MJ will agree.
Ronnie has an 18 month contract with FWP witch he will be honouring being such an honourable man, I will ensure he is kept busy and entertaining his growing his army of fans both on my shows and FWP.
Next stop: 14th April Europa Hotel Belfast
“Its the year of the Shark”

Many Thanks
Mark H Dunlop

Well done Mark for keeping Ronnie busy, and well done Ronnie o his win.lets hope it opens doors to bigger things.

[daviddee]

After a fight like that you need momentum looking back helps no one.. The rematch comments are to save face.. Zelfa and Ronnie were both fantastic in that fight and to say anything different is disrespectful.. I don’t believe it is anything to do with 18 days notice or Zelfa underestimating Ronnie. Ronnie just has given himself a shake and trusting his ability rather than worrying about others... Zelfa was at the wrong weight he gave away all his natural advantages by cutting so much weight.. I don’t see this rematch happening so not really something that should be focussed on.. Offer the rematch and if it’s not accepted move forward.

In regards to the British title neither fighter is going to fight Ronnie on a voluntary so why hang about for a year waiting on that title when could be pushing on for bigger titles. Ronnie has stated he wants a world title.. He should go in the top 10 with the IBF with a vacant title in there.. With fighters like Carroll, Boschiero, Frenois and Dibb all highly ranked then if there’s a belief in Ronnie then these are the fights that should be looked and and certainly not going backwards. Ronnie is a 12 round fighter should only be fighting for titles while he keeps winning.. As someone says he’s. Excellent character and the huge response he has received shows this.. Loads of fights out there if the right investment is made in Ronnie and if pushed the right way he can beat all those guys I’ve mentioned..

[Counter-puncher]

No fighter in the UK has fought more top 10 ranked opponents domestically than Ronnie.

The thought crossed my mind that might have been the case, interesting and impressive stat.

[JamieM]

Yep he has fought 4 of the current top 10, that's more than ward who has won British outright. add in troy James who was number 6 when he fought him. Also Ryan Walsh in the division below who is outright won British and Craig Evans at lightweight. Can't accuse him of ducking anyone haha

[Counter-puncher]

Yep he has fought 4 of the current top 10, that's more than ward who has won British outright. add in troy James who was number 6 when he fought him. Also Ryan Walsh in the division below who is outright won British and Craig Evans at lightweight. Can't accuse him of ducking anyone haha

I was counting James

[bripez]

I mentioned on another thread - just read the records of Clark and Barrett, they are like chalk and cheese.

Barrett has gone down the modern route for “prospects” - boxing the usual suspects and unknown overseas fighters.

I am not necessarily saying that Clark’s way is best, but there needs to be a happy medium to allow a boxer to develop skills, learn over longer distances and building confidence whilst also preparing them for when they do step up.

[JamieM]

In my honest opinion Ronnie record does not tell the story. The maxi Hughes and ryan Walsh fights on the road he won them both. Troy James I felt was very close but can't expect to win that, but he boxed very bad that night and struggled to get going. Craig Evans I wasn't there but seemingly he should have got nod and seemingly decision was booed. Cacace he lost fair and square. He just didn't have a team around him. He had a trainer but made a choice to go to Marbella alone and his pad word was done with Jamie conlan holding pads to help out along with John thain. He sparred tom stalker who was polar opposite to anto . I believe when they rematch Ronnie will stop anto. Martin j ward was a massive experience where Ronnie learned he needs to work. Ronnie has the capability to have won every fight but things click into place at right time for every fighter and Ronnie is now in that place. I am as biased as they come And after the anto fight I was hoping he would walk away, you don't play boxing, I'm his hardest critic but now I would put him in with any of them , and zelfa rematch Ronnie will get the stoppage this time with notice. Ronnie won and I felt like his timing was a little out . A proper camp I believe Ronnie would have been more clinical on the 6th. Division really is a good one at the moment .

[jamamb]

i was glad to see ronnie finally get a win like this. all those draws and close decision losses vs good brit/euro level comp, he was overdue to finally get a nod.

[Taansend]

Mark,

I really appreciate you taking the time to write.

I'm 49 & have been a boxing fan since the time I could walk. My family has some bloke named Dido Plumb (my great grandad ) in its history so I was told about fights since I was a baby. I was also expected to box aged 9 despite not being a natural fighter (I'm f*cking great at rowing though )

So it really cheers me up when I read something from proper fighting men rather than muppets who sparred 4 men in a row in Holland at their first attempt.

I only saw the last few rounds of your mans fight but he looked brilliant. I hope you can get him some proper title shots asap as he's not a nipper anymore. I would be well happy if he got a World title shot.

Many regards

Taansend

p.s. If you want some warm weather training I have a speed bag in my garden in Florida.

p.p.s. you can also kip in my garden for 2 quid per person per night.

p.p.p.s. it's LOSING not LOOSING, you f*cking illiterate Jock

p.p.p.ps I am sorry for the above insult

[daviddee]

Mark,

I really appreciate you taking the time to write.

I'm 49 & have been a boxing fan since the time I could walk. My family has some bloke named Dido Plumb (my great grandad ) in its history so I was told about fights since I was a baby. I was also expected to box aged 9 despite not being a natural fighter (I'm f*cking great at rowing though )

So it really cheers me up when I read something from proper fighting men rather than muppets who sparred 4 men in a row in Holland at their first attempt.

I only saw the last few rounds of your mans fight but he looked brilliant. I hope you can get him some proper title shots asap as he's not a nipper anymore. I would be well happy if he got a World title shot.

Many regards

Taansend

p.s. If you want some warm weather training I have a speed bag in my garden in Florida.

p.p.s. you can also kip in my garden for 2 quid per person per night.

p.p.p.s. it's LOSING not LOOSING, you f*cking illiterate Jock

p.p.p.ps I am sorry for the above insult

Brilliant

[Alba]

Mark,

I really appreciate you taking the time to write.

I'm 49 & have been a boxing fan since the time I could walk. My family has some bloke named Dido Plumb (my great grandad ) in its history so I was told about fights since I was a baby. I was also expected to box aged 9 despite not being a natural fighter (I'm f*cking great at rowing though )

So it really cheers me up when I read something from proper fighting men rather than muppets who sparred 4 men in a row in Holland at their first attempt.

I only saw the last few rounds of your mans fight but he looked brilliant. I hope you can get him some proper title shots asap as he's not a nipper anymore. I would be well happy if he got a World title shot.

Many regards

Taansend

p.s. If you want some warm weather training I have a speed bag in my garden in Florida.

p.p.s. you can also kip in my garden for 2 quid per person per night.

p.p.p.s. it's LOSING not LOOSING, you f*cking illiterate Jock

p.p.p.ps I am sorry for the above insult

He's not a jock you stupid arsehole

[Deslioni]

Great and enlightening post, but why talk about ending someone’s career? That’s just plain nasty and uncalled for, particularly in light of some of the bad things that have happened to fighters over the last few years

[Coco]

I suppose the more difficult thing about winning the WBO European is that you haven't exactly got challengers lining up unless you have a promoter which is going to bring in an opponent.
The good thing about the British is that you will def get defenses with the champions purse as that title is in demand.
It tough to bring someone on without a major promoter behind you.

[JamieM]

Hahaha class. He's from Belfast though?

[Tangerine]

Comments about ending a young lads career are not necessary.Both lads have been extremely respectful after the fight,especially Zelfa who has only given praise to Ronnie.

Congratulations to Ronnie he fought an excellent fight.

[Ginger one to watch]

Can you expand on the contract with fwank?
Plans? Belfast maybe?