BoxRec

I’ll take Dodson back to the top

From Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo

THE Shamrock Express’ Shea Neary is back.

But when the former world champion steps back inside the ropes later this month it will be in his new capacity as a trainer rather than a fighter.

Neary has joined forces with former British super-middleweight champion Tony Dodson, and the pair have set their sights high for the future.

“We’ve set our sights on not only winning back the Lonsdale Belt, but winning it outright with three defences also,” he said. “Tony has bags of talent and potential, plus he’s still young enough to come back and dominate the division.”

Now 38, Neary was the darling of British boxing back in the late nineties when he was the most popular headliner of ITV’s fight coverage.

His wars with Darryl Tyson, Naas Scheepers, Juan Carlos Villarreal and, who could forget, Andy Holligan set him apart as the most popular Scouse boxer of a generation.

But now it seems the former WBU light-welterweight champ has a burning desire to succeed in the ring once again, and he’s set his sights on turning around Dodson flagging pro career.

Neary, who is based out of his own gym – aptly named Shamrock’s – in Old Swan, revealed: “It was an easy decision to make to work with Tony. He was in the gym as a nine year old at the Golden Gloves when I was amateur and I’ve been friends with both him and his family since.

“We have high hopes for the future and I am really enjoying working with him.

“We wouldn’t have taken him on if we didn’t think we could improve him and right now that’s what we are working on, making him a better fighter.”

Dodson, who plans to return on a Matchroom show in London on March 30, says he couldn’t be happier after linking up with his new corner team – both Neary and veteran trainer George Schofield.

He said: “I’ve been working with Shea a couple of weeks now and it’s terrifying. He’s pushing me more than I have ever been pushed before. He’s not messing around.

“The first day he sat me down and said, ‘right the losing stops here, we never lose again’, and that’s the attitude that is driving us both.

“He’s completely hands on. He’s running, jumping and sparring with me and, let me tell you, he’s fit and strong enough now to come back himself – and he’d probably win the British title too!

“I also have the added bonus of having George back in my corner, so I have come full circle really. He was my first amateur coach and my first professional trainer and I respect him a lot.

“Now I just want to keep my head down, listen to the corner and do what I am being told to do – win!”

Neary added: “Tony has the tools and the pedigree to be champion again and I am sure we can make that happen.”

And of Dodson’s most recent loss, a stoppage defeat to current British champ Carl Froch, Neary said: “That was a shot that no fighter would have come back from.

“There’s half a dozen types of body shots but that one, a liver shot, paralyses a fighter. I got hit by the same type of thing against Micky Ward all those years ago and there’s little you can do.”

Shamrock’s has become a beehive for south Liverpool pros, with super-bantam champ Gary Davies, Croxteth prospect John Donnelly and Kensington banger Lee Siner all working out there.

Enjoyed watching Neary immensely - Great little fighter.

I'd recommedn the Ward fight highly.

I read that Neary was robbed against Magee?

The fight was close enought for argument. I am certainly not a Magee fan, but I have him winning the fight.

Woller

Loved watching Shea myself - I remember him being huge for the weight!

Magee out foxed Neary, and wobbled him badly in the process. Wasn't a robbery at all.

it was a close fight but i fought neary did enough to win, but then neary was very lucky to be given the decsion against alan bosworth.

Funny enough I thought Neary deserved the win in this one, but I think Bosworth surprised a lot of pundits by giving Shea such a tough battle.

I remember Neary back in the days of ITV Boxing in the mid 90's, i wasn't a Boxing nut back then as i am now but i remember he had a great fight with South African who's name i can't recall.

steve689 wrote:I remember Neary back in the days of ITV Boxing in the mid 90's, i wasn't a Boxing nut back then as i am now but i remember he had a great fight with South African who's name i can't recall.

Naas Scheepers I think.

Max Molyneux wrote:I read that Neary was robbed against Magee?

i thought neary deserved it.

poor decision for me. :x

shea started out fighting on cards at the devonshire house on edge lane in liverpool ( there`s a club there called reds, or at least there was a few years ago! not sure now)
he was one of my favourite fighters to watch and he always stepped through the ropes in unbelievable condition and he had plenty of heart.
shea was real a crowd pleaser and a bit of a throwback to the old days.
there was a really nice touch at the end of the ward fight where shea and mickey kept on complimenting each other how tough they were.

headhunter wrote:shea started out fighting on cards at the devonshire house on edge lane in liverpool ( there`s a club there called reds, or at least there was a few years ago! not sure now)
he was one of my favourite fighters to watch and he always stepped through the ropes in unbelievable condition and he had plenty of heart.
shea was real a crowd pleaser and a bit of a throwback to the old days.
there was a really nice touch at the end of the ward fight where shea and mickey kept on complimenting each other how tough they were.

Reds has been closed for a few years now, shame because it was an alright place on the weekends.

That interview was class and both men came off great, when Neary was asked something like 'how hard did micky hit to the body', Shea replied 'he hits harder to the head'.

As you say always in great shape and wasn't scared to have a tear up, he was extremely tight at the weight and in hindsight maybe he should have gave welterweight a good shot.