BoxRec

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/foleys ... 99003.html


AMERICA's top boxing promoters are clamouring to sign 21-year-old Sydneysider Kerry Foley to their superstar stables.

The Manly slugger, undefeated in 11 professional fights, has generated a level of interest in the United States not seen in an Australian boxer since Les Darcy arrived in New York City in 1916. Darcy was swamped by numerous lucrative offers to align himself with the major players of boxing's so-called "golden age" - now Foley is on several hit lists too.

He has attracted interest from the Oscar De La Hoya-owned Golden Boy promotions, Top Rank and Crown Boxing. Their interest was sparked by a fight compilation posted on the YouTube website and accounts from scouts who have seen him fight live.

Foley leaves for the US on Tuesday. He will train in Los Angeles under Australian Justin Fortune, who runs Fortune Gym on Sunset Boulevard. Foley is expected to make his US debut on May 1, and will box after stablemate John Hopoate fights for the IBA world heavyweight title.

"This is unbelievable," said trainer-manager Dave Millward. "He's only 21 and has a great opportunity to make his name in America. I think the most important thing for Kerry is he remains grounded and continues to train hard." Millward has been like a second father to Foley since he turned up to his gym at 13 begging to be taught how to box. According to Millward, Foley was heading down what he described as "life's wrong path".

"He has all the attributes a boxer needs," said Millward of his protege. "He's strong, has a heavy punch, he has a mean streak in the ring but what he also appreciates is while not all gentlemen can box, all boxers can be gentlemen."

Foley fine-tuned his craft last Tuesday with a tough spar against former WBA light-heavyweight champion Danny Green, who is on the comeback trail. Green dominated the six rounds but he was impressed with what he saw in one of Australian boxing's rising stars.

i said this ages ago.

hmmm.......i thought he may have tested himself against some of the aussie LHW before he left our shores. a bit concerned that his last 5 opponents had losing records.

i want him to get into the wildcard gym with freddie, pac, amir and the boys...he'll win a title for sure then

good luck to him. Cant improve a guys chin though. BUT-MAnny was Kod early in his career and look where he is. I reckon he does have potential and a genuine punch. Good to see doors opening for him.

his chins sweet....baloch broke his cheek in 2 places with an uppercut and kerry only wobbled coz he got his foot stuck in the bottom rope

seen him dropped in another fight,wobbled bad in another. Not bagging the guy...just makes me nervous.The cheek bone fracture shows he is tough,no doubt and will say he does seem to recover well.

Wow, just wow.

that article was written by Danny Green's biographer. He should know better than to sensationalise like that.

The Manly slugger, undefeated in 11 professional fights, has generated a level of interest in the United States not seen in an Australian boxer since Les Darcy arrived in New York City in 1916.

Now that quote above is a big statement but bullshit!

One hopes that Kerry is not over matched or not used as fodder to boost the records of local USA fighters as he never tested himself against stronger Australian opposition.

Beltane wrote:

The Manly slugger, undefeated in 11 professional fights, has generated a level of interest in the United States not seen in an Australian boxer since Les Darcy arrived in New York City in 1916.

Now that quote above is a big statement but bullshit!

One hopes that Kerry is not over matched or not used as fodder to boost the records of local USA fighters as he never tested himself against stronger Australian opposition.[/quote]

you do not tell harry kewell not to go to england and try and start a career cause he never tested himself in A league
kerry will be training in the premier country for boxing with the best trainers, facilities and sparring partners
there are 10 times more boxers in california alone compared to all australia allowing him the promoted fighter to choose his opponents and work his way up to full fight distance and better opposition
kerry has been sparring with the best from australia for a long time and danny green and anthony mundine in particular over the last month
i believe kerry needs to improve his defence but his chin is fine and where better a place to improve it than in america against the best
a little bit of jealousy seems to be coming from this post
paul briggs anthony mundine and johnny lewis have all labelled kerry a future champion and they may know a little more bout boxing than most of us
it would be unrealistic for anyone including kerry himself to think he would be heading to america to do little more than build a career at this short stage in his
any fight of note would have to be at least 3-4 years away you would think
and considering the slow pace his team have been managing him so far it seems strange that they would chuck him in the deep end now

interesting post gerry.
I agree no one should be critical about his desire to go to the USA and test his talent. Many people on this forum have had a go at other Australian fighters for not having a go. (and with good reason in some cases)
However it seems strange that he has fought limited opposition so far in australia. There are plenty of good quality LHW around. Porky and Bell just to name two let alone those he has sparred against.
It seems a big jump, and one that appears to be ahead of it's time. I'm the first to say good luck, but i feel in this case it might be too much too soon. I hope he doesn't end up another prospect amongst the masses. He could have moved up significantly in the world rankings by fighting the cream of the local talent.

Never the less, good luck to him

toppity wrote:interesting post gerry.
I agree no one should be critical about his desire to go to the USA and test his talent. Many people on this forum have had a go at other Australian fighters for not having a go. (and with good reason in some cases)
However it seems strange that he has fought limited opposition so far in australia. There are plenty of good quality LHW around. Porky and Bell just to name two let alone those he has sparred against.
It seems a big jump, and one that appears to be ahead of it's time. I'm the first to say good luck, but i feel in this case it might be too much too soon. I hope he doesn't end up another prospect amongst the masses. He could have moved up significantly in the world rankings by fighting the cream of the local talent.

Never the less, good luck to him

he was going nowhere fast sticking with mundine and fighting on his cards...just ask solomon haumono.

I dont think it could hurt him, maybe a few fights a year in the US and a few in Australia.

As long as he reminds himself that he's young and plenty of time, he should do fine.

bump

bigger than mundine? even thought he just lost to a bum?

who's kerry foley??

not a heavyweight is he..where is the excitement in slow moving ex footy players??!!
whos karly Meehan?

RAB2204 wrote:bigger than mundine? even thought he just lost to a bum?

yeah that was shocking...not good for kerry at all.

Kerry went overseas to fight because a number of the so called better fighters in australia wouldnt fight him, I admit I am a foley fan but I dont think he can be criticised for going to the U.S to fight, he may have lost but he will be learning enough to hold him in good stead for the future.

hatty11 wrote:Kerry went overseas to fight because a number of the so called better fighters in australia wouldnt fight him, I admit I am a foley fan but I dont think he can be criticised for going to the U.S to fight, he may have lost but he will be learning enough to hold him in good stead for the future.

i hope so....... but only the future will tell.

toppity wrote:

hatty11 wrote:Kerry went overseas to fight because a number of the so called better fighters in australia wouldnt fight him, I admit I am a foley fan but I dont think he can be criticised for going to the U.S to fight, he may have lost but he will be learning enough to hold him in good stead for the future.

i hope so....... but only the future will tell.

A loss at this stage might help him to be honest. A lot of top fighters have losses early in there careers.

ben k wrote:A loss at this stage might help him to be honest. A lot of top fighters have losses early in there careers.

Not often against 5-10 opponents though...