After coaching various world champions and producing Olympic winners, reputed boxing coach Joe Clough has now taken up the new challenge of helping Indian boxers through Indian boxing team Mumbai Fighters. The 69-year old American has the distinction of coaching world champs like Sugar Ray, Evander Holyfield, Johnny Bumphus, Rocky Lockridge and Leo Randolph among others in his coaching career spanning over 35 years.
He also was the head coach of Muhammad Ali Boxing Club in Santa Monica during his time in the US. For close to 20 years now, Clough has been coaching Asian teams which includes stint with national teams of Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, Cambodia, Malaysia to name a few.
As the Technical Director of Pro boxing, Indian boxing team Mumbai Fighters, Clough will be overlooking the coaching methods imparted to the boxers. For his age and experience, Clough intends to leave behind some seeds for future Olympic champions to grow in India.
Clough is looking forward to his first-ever assignment in India. “Mumbai Fighters will be a team and not a collection of individual boxers from India and abroad. All the pugilists who are a part of this squad will definitely take back something better, become better boxers and also better human beings,” Clough explained. Describing his role, Clough said: For flowers to blossom, you need to put the right amount of water, and that’s what I will be doing with the boxers in my team.”
Team principal Udit Sheth was excited to have Clough on board. He said, “Joe’s tremendous global experience will be extremely beneficial for us as he has had the distinction of working with the likes of Ali and Holyfield to name a few. Joe is not only a coach, but also a teacher and will be bringing some new ideas and knowledge to complement our existing techniques. We are confident that our coaching staff will bring the desired results for the Mumbai Fighters – India Boxing at the WSB championships. Go Fighters!”
