‘I’m Conor McGregor’s first boxing coach – star mastered key skill straightaway’

  • Bookmark
  • Offbeat news from the world of sport

    Thank you for subscribing!

    Offbeat news from the world of sport

    We have more newsletters

    Conor McGregor knew how to read a punch that comes at him straightaway.

    That’s according to the UFC star’s first boxing coach Philip Sutcliffe Sr, who McGregor recently gifted a custom truck. Sutcliffe coached McGregor at the famous Crumlin Amateur Boxing Club in Dublin with the Notorious joining as a boy.

    And speaking at McGregor’s Black Forge Inn, Sutcliffe opened up on the impact McGregor immediately made on him when joining the club.

    READ MORE: Ebanie Bridges and Conor McGregor are 'growing friendship even more'

    READ MORE: 'I visited Conor McGregor's stout brewery – Forged could take over Guinness'

    "Conor mastered the ability of reading, reading the shot that comes at you,” two-time Olympian Sutcliffe said. “He always mastered that, from an early age of 12 he could avoid a shot. He could move comfortably in the ring – this is where he gets his movement from.

    "He had a lot of talent as a youngster, but he was putting it in different directions. But his boxing talent… you see in his MMA fights with his backhands.

    "I was never fond of mixed martial arts, I thought it was barbaric before I got involved but you see the amount of work these boys put into it, the amount of dedication.”

    McGregor turned his attention from boxing to MMA at a young age and became a two-weight UFC champion during his career. He did go on to step into the boxing ring, ultimately losing to Floyd Mayweather in a mega-money bout.

    Though Sutcliffe admits he could never have foreseen the supersonic rise from the now 35-year-old.

    "Realistically no,” he added. “I didn't follow it. All the other kids said it, others said he's going to be great.

    “He had bus loads following him as an amateur MMA guy. There had to be something special there.

    “He has that charisma. No matter what he touches, it turns to gold. He's outspoken, his mind is right, he’s smart.”

    And that charisma was spotted by Sutcliffe the moment McGregor walked into his gym.

    "Course I remember,” Sutcliffe said of his first memories of the Notorious. “When he walked in, I told him he had to take his boots off.

    Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more

    The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!

    Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.

    To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!

    No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

    If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

    CLICK HERE TO JOIN

    “He was playing football against Crumlin United. He was a little blonde kid, good looking kid, but he had his football boots on. You don't walk on the floor with your football boots full of mud, so we told him to take them off.

    “He started punching the bags. I said if you want to join, get your ma and da down. You have to fill in a form and apply.”

    The rest, as they say, is history.

    • Conor Mcgregor
    • Boxing

    Source: Read Full Article