Duncan
Arlie James - I coulda been a contender
"People see the film Braveheart - see Mel Gibson coming over the hill - well I want to be the real Braveheart. I'm going to break into movies."
Duncan Arlie
James is certainly not a man to mince his words. The former WKO Cruiserweight
world Champion is in Belfast, talking to Billy Murray and sparring at
Pro-Kick Gym. The subject of films came round because Duncan was keen
to emphasis a future outside the ring. You see, the Glaswegian thinks
1998 may be his last year in the sport. Duncan is 36.
"What I lack in speed at the moment, I make up for in technique. I can't do the volume of training that I did ten years ago, but what I lack in volume I make up for in quality." And experience is something Duncan has in spades.
He came late to kickboxing. Like many of his generation, Duncan first became involved with the martial arts in general through the films of Bruce Lee almost twenty years. "When I was 18 or 19 I fell out with rugby. I loved the sport - played prop - but I was too small for the modern game. Besides, I liked the individuality, the discipline of martial arts. In team sports, you are only as strong as your weakest link. Not so in martial arts." Throughout, alongside stints in various rock bands and a sabbatical in Boston, Duncan trained in Glasgow with Kenny Davidson. Rising through the ranks, he watched the sport develop and grow. "It had a lot to do with the people involved at the time. In the beginning, much of the training was in cold, damp gyms. Many of fights were badly organized, badly refereed. It was a miracle nobody got badly hurt. I mean, I've been gloved up in a ring, waiting and the ref walks in with a pint.
It is due to Billy Murray that James is in Belfast. He is on a brief stop-over on the way to a show in New Zealand. James is moving up a weight for his bout to take on the much fancied Ron Sefo - brother of the incredible Ray Sefo. The fight itinerary - two flights to get there, one day for fight and two days return, begs the question - is it really worth it? "Why not? I'm doing something I love and I'm getting to see the world. What could be better. As for jetlag - it doesn't really worry me. "I've been advised to keep in my time real - real time. I don't see it as a problem." The question of age rises again. Not only does have to move up to 90kg, but he is giving away over 10 years. "Look," says James becoming a little riled, " some of the best athletes in the world reach their prime in their thirties. Take Evander Holyfield or Linford Christie. I'm quietly confident." James record is a little less impressive than Holyfield or Christie. He has only fought around 20 fights - something he blames on bad organisation. "There are great opportunities now for younger fighters. With people like Billy Murray at the helm, the future can only look bright." And what of the future for Duncan? Perhaps five or six fights this year and then out with a bang. I want to end with a big event - something to let people remember me by. Then...perhaps a bit of promotion, a bit of coaching and more importantly - Hollywood. "I quite fancy being the Scottish Arnie."
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"People see the film Braveheart - see Mel Gibson coming over the hill - well I want to be the real Braveheart. I'm going to break into movies."
Duncan Arlie
James is certainly not a man to mince his words. The former WKO Cruiserweight
world Champion is in Belfast, talking to Billy Murray and sparring at
Pro-Kick Gym. The subject of films came round because Duncan was keen
to emphasis a future outside the ring. You see, the Glaswegian thinks
1998 may be his last year in the sport. Duncan is 36. "What I lack in speed at the moment, I make up for in technique. I can't do the volume of training that I did ten years ago, but what I lack in volume I make up for in quality." And experience is something Duncan has in spades.
He came late to kickboxing. Like many of his generation, Duncan first became involved with the martial arts in general through the films of Bruce Lee almost twenty years. "When I was 18 or 19 I fell out with rugby. I loved the sport - played prop - but I was too small for the modern game. Besides, I liked the individuality, the discipline of martial arts. In team sports, you are only as strong as your weakest link. Not so in martial arts." Throughout, alongside stints in various rock bands and a sabbatical in Boston, Duncan trained in Glasgow with Kenny Davidson. Rising through the ranks, he watched the sport develop and grow. "It had a lot to do with the people involved at the time. In the beginning, much of the training was in cold, damp gyms. Many of fights were badly organized, badly refereed. It was a miracle nobody got badly hurt. I mean, I've been gloved up in a ring, waiting and the ref walks in with a pint.
It is due to Billy Murray that James is in Belfast. He is on a brief stop-over on the way to a show in New Zealand. James is moving up a weight for his bout to take on the much fancied Ron Sefo - brother of the incredible Ray Sefo. The fight itinerary - two flights to get there, one day for fight and two days return, begs the question - is it really worth it? "Why not? I'm doing something I love and I'm getting to see the world. What could be better. As for jetlag - it doesn't really worry me. "I've been advised to keep in my time real - real time. I don't see it as a problem." The question of age rises again. Not only does have to move up to 90kg, but he is giving away over 10 years. "Look," says James becoming a little riled, " some of the best athletes in the world reach their prime in their thirties. Take Evander Holyfield or Linford Christie. I'm quietly confident." James record is a little less impressive than Holyfield or Christie. He has only fought around 20 fights - something he blames on bad organisation. "There are great opportunities now for younger fighters. With people like Billy Murray at the helm, the future can only look bright." And what of the future for Duncan? Perhaps five or six fights this year and then out with a bang. I want to end with a big event - something to let people remember me by. Then...perhaps a bit of promotion, a bit of coaching and more importantly - Hollywood. "I quite fancy being the Scottish Arnie."
BACK TO PROKICK | INFO | EMAIL