By Ryan Songalia
Boxing was not the first love of Patrick Farrell's life. Farrell attended LaSalle University on a football scholarship after graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City. He was a 6'2", 245 pound linebacker that started 37 games over four years.
After graduating in 2005 with a double communications degree, Farrell had offers to play pro football in Europe but declined. "It was just going to wind up costing me a lot more money than it was going to benefit me," says Farrell of Jersey City. "I realized I wasn't going to be a professional football player in the NFL and decided to move on."
Farrell had been accustomed to lifting weights as a football player but began looking for another way to stay in shape. That's when he called on childhood friend Mike Skowronski. Skowronski, known as "Mikey Red" to the locals, was running the Passaic Police Athletic League program.
"I stepped foot in the gym not knowing how to fight at all. Six months later I was 40 pounds later. I told Mike that I wanted to fight. He told me if I stayed in the gym for a year he'd let me fight."
"Paddy" fulfilled his end of the bargain and had 11 amateur fights, going 9-2 in those bouts. What Farrell lacks in experience he makes up for in the gym. Among the many fighters who Farrell has sparred with include heavyweight Vinny Maddalone, light-heavyweight Bobby Rooney and super-middleweights Jerson Ravelo and Wayne Johnsen, among others.
"[Sparring with them] is so much more valuable than having say another 10-15 amateur fights. The things that can be learned from guys that have so much experience like all these guys do is invaluable."
Now a 195 pound cruiserweight, Farrell is currently 2-0 with both fights ending in the first round. To date, none of his opponents had previously registered a win in the pros. That pattern won't change when he fights a four-rounder June 25 in North Bergen, NJ on a show headlined by "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis and promoted by Pound 4 Pound Promotions. His opponent will be Kenneth Farr of Rocky Mount, NC, who has a record of 0-2 with both fights ending with him on his back.
For this fight, Farrell has been working with the aforementioned Rooney of Bayonne, NJ as well as cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek.
"I think it's going to be a good fight," says Farrell of the Adamek-Gunn fight. "I think Adamek is too much faster, bigger and stronger in all respects. His speed is that of a light-heavyweight. His power is pretty incredible. He pretty much fights at the weight he walks around at, 207. He has a chin like none other. I think Adamek is 100% going to take that fight."
Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Any questions or comments? Send them to songaliaboxing@aol.com
