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Turning Pro: McClellan ready to follow in dad's footsteps.
Freeport, Ill. -
G-Man has big shoes to fill. The 20-year-old Freeport boxer, aka Gerald McClellan Jr., is the son of world-famous boxer and champion Gerald McClellan Sr.
Young Gerald boasts an undefeated record as an amateur. He has plans of turning pro in June or July, and is currently awaiting license approval. Gerald started boxing seriously at age 16, and had his first bout on the day of his 18th birthday. Gerald faced an opponent with a 4-0 record and won the fight.
“It was the best birthday present ever – I couldn’t believe it,” McClellan said.
A lot of hard work and training since that night has helped him maintain an undefeated 9-0 record. “I’m hoping for one or two more amateur bouts before turning pro,” the G-Man said as he flashes a Muhammad Ali-like smile.
Gerald understands he has a lot to live up to by taking his father’s G-Man nickname, but says it is a way of honoring him in the ring.
“He used to call me ‘Little G-Man’ when I was a baby, so I want to carry it on for both of us,” Gerald said. “I would like to accomplish what my dad did, but I want to take it even farther and be able to do things he didn’t get a chance to do.”
Gerald’s goal is very ambitious, considering his father’s achievements: WBO Middleweight Champion 1991, WBC Middleweight Champion 1993-1995, and four defenses – ending with a 31-3-0 record with 29 knockouts.
You Can’t Do it Alone
In addition to taking on his dad’s nickname, Gerald also took on his dad’s former trainer.
“Stay on your toes, jab-jab-jab, 20 seconds left!” trainer Donnie Pendleton expertly instructs a young boxing student in a training room at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Pendleton, who has more than 250 professional fights to his credit, is also a renowned trainer. He has worked with many pro fighters, including Gerald McClellan Sr.
In addition to training G-Man, he volunteers his time to work with as many as 23 young men between the ages of 7 and 20 who show up at the King Center daily to exercise, train and learn from someone who has seen the successes of hard work pay off.
“I want to help the kids learn discipline and have pride in themselves,” Pendleton said.
Double Trouble
Gerald’s 19-year-old younger brother, Mandela, is another of Pendleton’s up-and-coming boxing protégés. Mandela has been training since he was 14.
“I look forward to it every day,” he said. “If you live by boxing (discipline and hard work), you’ll be alright in life.”
Mandela’s boxing career plans reflect a maturity beyond his years. His goals include remaining an amateur for a few years to allow time to polish and hone his craft.
“I really want Gerald to be able to do his thing without all of the hype of having two of our father’s sons coming out at once,” he said.
Together, the brothers have formed “Lionblood,” a boxing-themed entertainment group they use to promote themselves as well as to develop future interests, such as a sportswear line.
Coming Full Circle
Pendleton is taking his love and knowledge of a sport and passing it down so another generation might be able to share his passion.
“I do it because I love the sport, and I do it for the kids,” he says.
He is boxer, trainer and mentor to all of the kids who join him at the center, but to the McClellan brothers, he is even more.
“He was right there with our dad,” says Gerald. “He was in the ring, behind him every step of the way. I grew up with him always being around. He’s like an uncle to me.”
Freeport, Ill. -
G-Man has big shoes to fill. The 20-year-old Freeport boxer, aka Gerald McClellan Jr., is the son of world-famous boxer and champion Gerald McClellan Sr.
Young Gerald boasts an undefeated record as an amateur. He has plans of turning pro in June or July, and is currently awaiting license approval. Gerald started boxing seriously at age 16, and had his first bout on the day of his 18th birthday. Gerald faced an opponent with a 4-0 record and won the fight.
“It was the best birthday present ever – I couldn’t believe it,” McClellan said.
A lot of hard work and training since that night has helped him maintain an undefeated 9-0 record. “I’m hoping for one or two more amateur bouts before turning pro,” the G-Man said as he flashes a Muhammad Ali-like smile.
Gerald understands he has a lot to live up to by taking his father’s G-Man nickname, but says it is a way of honoring him in the ring.
“He used to call me ‘Little G-Man’ when I was a baby, so I want to carry it on for both of us,” Gerald said. “I would like to accomplish what my dad did, but I want to take it even farther and be able to do things he didn’t get a chance to do.”
Gerald’s goal is very ambitious, considering his father’s achievements: WBO Middleweight Champion 1991, WBC Middleweight Champion 1993-1995, and four defenses – ending with a 31-3-0 record with 29 knockouts.
You Can’t Do it Alone
In addition to taking on his dad’s nickname, Gerald also took on his dad’s former trainer.
“Stay on your toes, jab-jab-jab, 20 seconds left!” trainer Donnie Pendleton expertly instructs a young boxing student in a training room at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Pendleton, who has more than 250 professional fights to his credit, is also a renowned trainer. He has worked with many pro fighters, including Gerald McClellan Sr.
In addition to training G-Man, he volunteers his time to work with as many as 23 young men between the ages of 7 and 20 who show up at the King Center daily to exercise, train and learn from someone who has seen the successes of hard work pay off.
“I want to help the kids learn discipline and have pride in themselves,” Pendleton said.
Double Trouble
Gerald’s 19-year-old younger brother, Mandela, is another of Pendleton’s up-and-coming boxing protégés. Mandela has been training since he was 14.
“I look forward to it every day,” he said. “If you live by boxing (discipline and hard work), you’ll be alright in life.”
Mandela’s boxing career plans reflect a maturity beyond his years. His goals include remaining an amateur for a few years to allow time to polish and hone his craft.
“I really want Gerald to be able to do his thing without all of the hype of having two of our father’s sons coming out at once,” he said.
Together, the brothers have formed “Lionblood,” a boxing-themed entertainment group they use to promote themselves as well as to develop future interests, such as a sportswear line.
Coming Full Circle
Pendleton is taking his love and knowledge of a sport and passing it down so another generation might be able to share his passion.
“I do it because I love the sport, and I do it for the kids,” he says.
He is boxer, trainer and mentor to all of the kids who join him at the center, but to the McClellan brothers, he is even more.
“He was right there with our dad,” says Gerald. “He was in the ring, behind him every step of the way. I grew up with him always being around. He’s like an uncle to me.”
G-Man jr probably hits like Mike Tyson and Eubank jr probably takes a punch like Eubank sr.
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