James McClean Eyes Career Transition to Boxing After Football

omidbasir- James McClean has announced his intention to explore a career in boxing once he concludes his time in football. The midfielder, originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, has returned to his hometown club after spending three years at Wrexham.

In an interview with Westlife member Nicky Byrne, McClean shared, “I’ll be honest, I’ve really enjoyed my time at Wrexham until the last two or three months. It hasn’t been ideal, as I haven’t played as much as I would like, which is never a pleasant situation.

“You always want to be on the pitch and actively contributing. I’ve struggled with the lack of playing time; it hasn’t been entirely negative, but it has diminished my personal enjoyment. In my younger days, I would react poorly to such circumstances. With age, I’ve learned to channel that frustration into my training. Previously, I might have sulked, but now I direct that energy into the punch bag, which helps alleviate my stress.

Both KSI and Jake Paul have made significant inroads into the celebrity boxing scene, leveraging their YouTube fame to attract large audiences.

Jeff Hendrick, a former Republic of Ireland international, noted that McClean is “open” to fighting any potential opponent. He stated, “He’s eager for a professional boxing match. He has mentioned it in interviews and on social media. Anyone who follows him can see he is training in boxing almost daily. It’s not merely a hobby for him; he is passionate about the sport. He’s determined to have a professional fight, but as for who that might be against, it remains uncertain.

“I would bet on the likelihood of him having a professional fight. Could he face off against Jake Paul or KSI? He has dedicated significant time to boxing training over the past few years, and his fitness level from football is exceptional. He’s one of the fittest players I’ve ever played alongside, so he will be more than ready if an opportunity arises. He’s enthusiastic and willing to fight anyone, so I hope he considers me for his ring walk.

Upon his arrival at Derry during the January transfer window, McClean expressed his excitement about returning home. He stated in a press conference, “It feels surreal that this is happening, but I can’t wait to get started. Wrexham handled this transition with incredible professionalism, making it as seamless as possible for me to return home. I spoke with the manager and expressed my desire to return to where I belong.

“I enjoy career challenges, and this presents one of the most significant challenges I could undertake. This is the final club of my career, and if I could win a league title here, I couldn’t imagine a better way to conclude my journey.

His manager, Tiernan Lynch, remarked, “From our perspective, bringing him in was an obvious choice. His achievements in the sport speak for themselves, and his experience will be invaluable to our team. I’m thrilled to have him on board. His presence elevates the standard of our operations. A conversation with him reveals that immediately. Our focus now needs to be on our work.

McClean appears eager to pursue boxing in the near future, affirming, “I do want to box. Misfits Boxing is creating opportunities for many who aren’t professional boxers to step into the ring and experience the sport. I am very much interested in this endeavor, and although I’ve had preliminary discussions, I am currently under contract. However, it remains a priority for me moving forward.

“Much of my training now revolves around boxing. I have developed a greater passion for boxing than for football; I would much rather watch boxing than football. It’s an experience I want to pursue to check it off my bucket list.”