A two-time Geelong premiership player must curb his ‘fiery emotions’ when he steps into the ring with a former Essendon big man later this month, the ex-Cat’s new boxing mentor says.
Boxing: Tom Bellchambers and Cam Mooney are set to do battle in the ring on May 24, with the pair predicting the fight will end with a KO
Mooney, 43, was known for wearing his heart on his sleeve on the field and regular tribunal appearances during his otherwise glittering 221-game career.
However, boxing tutor and former super featherweight world champion Will Tomlinson said his protege must learn to keep his emotions in check when the opening bell rings at the No Limit Boxing event on May 24 — an undercard for the Joseph Parker v Faiga “Django” Opelu main event at Margaret Court Arena.
Boxing champion Will Tomlinson puts Cat legend Cam Mooney through his paces at Wildfighter gym before his boxing match with Tom Bellchambers. Picture: Alan Barber
Mooney and Tomlinson have been working together for over a year at the latter’s Wildfighter gym in South Geelong.
They were first introduced by ex-Cat and media identity Liam Pickering to work on Mooney’s preparation before a later-cancelled bout against Brendan Fevola, which was set for August last year.
“I’m just trying to drum into his head to control those fiery emotions he probably had on the footy field,” Tomlinson said of Mooney, who has been a keen follower of the fight game from a young age.
“Keep a cool head, stay calm and relaxed. Work behind your jab and everything will flow off that jab.
“If you can stick to those basics it’ll generically work out pretty well (for beginners).
“More often than not, once the first bell goes, it all goes out the window (laughs).”
Mooney and Tomlinson work out at Wildfighter gym. Picture: Alan Barber
However, Tomlinson stressed Mooney had exhibited “natural ability” during their four-times-a -week, “short and sharp” sessions, involving sparring, pad work, specialised cardio and functional training classes.
“He didn’t come into the gym starting from ground zero, he came in with a lot of ability,” he said.
“He had natural ability and obviously a very competitive spirit.”
Considering Mooney’s age, there had been a greater focus on warm ups and cool downs to get his body suitably limbre, and the pair were “training smarter not harder”.
“He’s firing. He’s in pretty good nick for 43,” he said.
“He’s going really well in sparring and in the gym, he’s really looking the part.
“He’s got really good technique, a good boxing IQ … understands his positioning in the ring, how to hit and not get hit, which is a bit of a knack itself.
“He’s just getting better and better with each session we’re having.
Mooney will fight former Essendon big man Tom Bellchambers on May 24. Picture: Alan Barber
“The old shoulders are getting a bit sore holding up the pads for him.”
While admitting Mooney faced a tough contest, coming up against the “massive” bulk of Bellchambers, the premiership-winning forward had a few weapons up his sleeve for the two-minute three-round fight.
“I know if ‘Moons’ makes one of those right hands to Tommy’s chin it’s going to be tough to stay upright,” he said.
Tomlinson said Mooney could fight at his natural weight, around 100kg, negating the need to train excessively.
“He’s a naturally lean guy,” he said.
“He doesn’t have to get any weight off to develop speed or anything.
“We have a game plan where we’re going to go out there and be really intense and put lots of pressure on (Bellchambers).
“So Cam has to be fit to be able to do that.”