Boxing Brief Oscar cruises pro debut
Oscar McCracken….scrapper by night, solicitor by day
A STAGGERING 250 people paid to watch the baptism of professional boxing’s only lawyer.
And Oscar McCracken – part of a famed Birmingham fight family – gave them plenty to cheer about by producing a polished display to outpoint Sam Kirk over four rounds.
What the welterweight can achieve cannot yet be calculated. We’ll need to see Oscar in a stiffer test than Doncaster’s Kirk, who has now lost four on the spin, before knowing if he’s inherited the McCracken boxing genes.
He certainly has the family’s steely determination.
What can be said with certainty is Oscar sells bucket loads of tickets. He pretty much single-handedly filled Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn on Saturday night.
“He put a lot of pressure on himself because of the tickets he sold,” said dad Spencer, a former quality pro and now top trainer. “And he sold them on his own. We thought he’d ease in with about 100 people watching, but he more than doubled that.”
What can also be said with certainty is Oscar’s is an amazing story – the country’s only boxing brief has turned over with zero amateur experience – and he has an inspired ring name.
Spencer dreamed-up Oscar “DaLawyer” McCracken. The man should be in marketing.
McCracken’s debut was pleasing. He was free from the first-time nerves that can lead a fledgling boxer to rush their work. He was controlled, poised and dominant: I wasn’t present, but the consensus is the one round given to Kirk by referee Peter McCormack – 39-37 after four rounds – was generous to the visitor.
It got the thumbs up from Spencer. “I was impressed with his attitude because a lot of lads making their debut get caught up in the moment,” he said, “but it didn’t surprise me.
“Oscar has always been like that with everything he does. When he puts his mind to something he gives it 100 per cent.
“He kept his technique and went through the gears. He has a great jab and he can bang with his right.”
Oscar’s journey is certainly unusual.
The country’s only boxing brief emerged from the University of Worcester with a first class honours degree in law. Oscar took his Masters in law and business, completed his all-important legal practice course, has worked in construction and real estate and just netted a training contract with a top legal firm.
After two years with the company, “DaLawyer” will emerge a fully qualified solicitor.
That’s a long way from Rocky.
In the ring, he has big boots to fill.
In a 24 bout career, Spencer fought Harry Dhami for the British welter title and Peter Malinga for the IBO version of the world belt.
Uncle Robbie is a former British light-middleweight champ who has coached the very best at amateur and pro level. Max, also a former pro, trains big names, too.
“When he told me he wanted to go pro, I said, ‘Are you sure? Why do you want to do that, it’s a hard game?’,” Spencer admitted.
“I told him he could do it as long as he had a back-up plan – and he has a big back-up plan with the law.
“His strengths are his jab, his ring intelligence and his size.”
There are positives and negatives attached to the fact Oscar has taken the leap without an amateur grounding.
“It’s a bit of both,” Spencer admitted. “You can pick up bad habits as an amateur and good habits. For me, it works. I can put into Oscar what’s needed for the pro game without having to get rid of stuff first.
“I did say maybe he should have a couple of amateur contests, just to get the experience of fighting in the ring and the experience of a crowd, but he was adamant.”
One of boxing’s most unusual journeys has begun. Many are puzzled why a man with such a lucrative day job ahead of him should choose pro boxing.
For Oscar, it’s a no brainer.
He told me: “People think I’m mad, but why would I not do this with all the professional expertise and set-up around me?”