Clift living the dream after winning debut
DYLAN Clift was still walking on air three days after his Saturday pro debut on Anthony Manning’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show.
“It was everything I dreamed of and so much more,” said the Acocks Green welter of his four round shutout win over Marian Wesolowski.
The Polish fighter, who lost for the 12th time in 17 bouts (one draw), has mixed in good company and taken hot Birmingham prospect Tommy Collins the distance.
He simply couldn’t match 21-year-old Dylan’s workrate and enthusiasm.
Clift, trained by dad Chris and Gary Turner, is a young man with a sizeable following. Around 100 fans bought tickets to witness his professional baptism.
“I think it went really well,” said Dylan, a personal fitness instructor by day. “He was a tough opponent who has been in with some good names, but I made it look as if he wasn’t a tough opponent at all.
“I made him miss and made him pay. I just felt so confident, punching and moving, backing him up. There’s always something to improve on and I could’ve sat down on my shots a bit more.”
Now Dylan has had a taste of the pro game, he wants more and is out again on manager Manning’s May 4 Eastside Rooms show.
“I want it to go all the way,” he added. “Now I’ve had the pro taste, I want to go all the way. I don’t want to be over-celebrating because this was only the start.
“Even doing pro boxing was a dream, but I don’t want it to be my only achievement.”
As an amateur, Dylan amassed just under 40 bouts for Acocks Green ABC.
“I took part in every major tournament,” he told me. “I boxed in Ireland, I got to the high stages in championships. I fought top guys.”