Interview with Clarence Tillman
Published November 5, 2008 by Martin Bean
For Boxing Capital’s latest interview, we spoke to ambitious Las Vegas based Heavyweight prospect, Clarence Tillman.
For those unaware of Clarence, let’s give you some background; typical of the modern Heavyweight, Clarence is a big man, standing 6’5” and weighing 270lbs (19st 4lbs). When asked about his style, the likeable Clarence is open and honest “I’m an aggressive fighter, I’m a puncher. I got a real good jab and I can box… but I like to fight!”. Clarence is an orthodox, or “right handed” boxer, as they say in the states.
Now aged 30, Clarence started boxing young but the lure of American football proved too much “I started boxing young, then got into football and stopped boxing. When I was finished with football around 24/25 I started back boxing and wanted to turn pro. Then one of my coaches, Richard Rivers, said why don’t you try to make the Olympic team? So that’s what I did”.
Clarence then started his amateur career and finished with an impressive record of 39-5. How close did he get to making it to Olympic Games in Beijing? “I got to the Semi Finals of the National PAL Tournament and then got to the Quarter Finals of the USA Nationals&mfdash;a fight I was dominating until the altitude caught up with me”. Had Clarence won that fight, he’d have made the Olympic trials.
The amateur experience gained served Clarence well; in addition to boxing against Team Canada he also got to work with renowned trainer Ronnie Shields, as well as sparring with Evander Holyfied, Dominic Guinn and Travis Walker. This experience will serve this fighter well as he advances.
With the Olympic disappointment behind him, Clarence relocated to Las Vegas to embark on a professional career, making his debut in June 2008. Five months later, Clarence has a record of 1-1-1 (1 KO). It seems a lack of astute management has led to this prospect making a slow start in the pro ranks; he lost his debut against Washington based Jonte Willis (3-0 at the time) who was National Amateur Champion in the US in 2006. For me, this seems crazy matching for a talented prospect such as Clarence on his debut! Why did Clarence take such a tough fight so early? “I’m a fighter, you offer me a fight, I’m going to take it”.
Clarence then won his second contest by 2nd round TKO against Mike Goins, before a majority draw last time out against the huge Yohan Banks; Banks is 6’7. Another excellent amateur, Banks was a formidable opponent and some questioned Clarence’s wisdom in taking the fight. Clearly, this is a boxer who believes in his own ability and is not afraid to take on the best opposition.
What next for Clarence? “I’d like to come and fight in Europe. A lot of guys think I ain’t going to fight overseas, they gonna cheat me. I don’t think that, I think I can win anywhere. A World Champion fights all over the world, Marvin Hagler fought all over the world. I got commitments at home but I’d like to come over to Europe for like a month, have two fights in that time, impress, network and come back”. It’s clear with what is a relatively buoyant boxing scene in Britain, some good contests could be made for Clarence.
When asked how far Clarence thinks he can go in boxing, he responds in a focused, confident tone “I wanna be Heavyweight Champion of the World&mfdash;I just need the right team around me, like a manager or promoter”. It’s clear to me that a good manager is exactly what Clarence needs to make the most of his undoubted talent.
Interested in working with this exciting prospect and free agent, Clarence Tillman? Contact Clarence via email at tillman78@gmail.com.
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