 Jim
McdonnellThe Worlds Fittest Trainer ! |
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About Jimmy Mac Born 12 September 1960 in Stepney, London Division: Featherweight Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.702 m) Manager: Terry Lawless Widely known as Jimmy Mac |
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Jim McDonnell, former European Champion in the Featherweight division represented Britain at the 1982 Commonwealth games. Jim started his professional career soon after the Brisbane Games, winning his first 24 fights.
He won European title during this run before getting his chance to fight for a World Title. Unfortunately Jim was facing a great Super-featherweight champion in Brian Mitchell. Mitchell had only lost one fight against Jacob Morake and this defeat was avenged an amazing three times.
McDonnell lost the fight over 12 rounds at a packed Elephant & Castle but rebounded with two more wins including a 4th round stoppage ending Barry McGuigan’s career.
Challenging once more for the World Super-Featherweight title Jim faced off with another ring legend in the great Azumah Nelson and lost by 12th round stoppage but was leading on the scorecards at the time.
Jim was extremely unlucky not to win a World title and would surely have won one in today's climate and no doubt could have won the IBF or WBO during his career but he was adamant he only wanted to fight for the WBC or WBA titles as the IBF and WBO at that time were fledgling sanctioning bodies. After retiring from boxing Jim continues to have great success as a trainer and is probably one of the best trainers in the world today famously masterminding Danny Williams’ victory over Mike Tyson.
He fought 5 World Champs defeated 3 of them. Fought twice for world title losing epic battles to Brian Mitchell and Azumah Nelson who is widely thought of as the best ever African boxer at any weight.
After retiring from the ring in 1998 he turned to training and has carved out another stella career being feared, respected and loved by many fine athletes. He maintains his own fitness to the very highest standard both as a benchmark for his 'students' but also for his own self esteem.
He currently trains boxers 'Golden' James DeGale, Simon 'fightin Irish' O'Donnell, Steve Murray, Mehrdud Takaloo, Paul Halpin, Steve O'Meara and MMA legend Roger Gracie.
When then Spurs and England goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, lost his confidence he turned to Jim who sorted him out mentally and physically, now Paul is a success at Blackburn.
Jim also trained TV presenter Ben Fogle winner of the Sport Relief Light Entertainment Boxing Belt in 2004.
In 2005 Jim trained ex Manchester United and Chelsea star Mark Bosnich for the same event.
In 2003 Jim trained Les Dennis for the same event.