Central Coast boxer Pam McClelland wins NSW Super Featherweight title

Twelve years ago, 39-year-old mum of three Pam McClelland had a dream to become a professional boxer. She has faced many hurdles along the way but on July 16, she became a champion.

It’s been a 12-year journey for Central Coast mum Pam McClelland who can now boast the title of NSW Super Featherweight champion.

The 39-year-old mother of three has achieved her ultimate goal, winning the belt on July 16 in front of her family and friends, and showing her children that anything is possible.

It was at the Snakepit in Wollongong where McClelland defeated Skye Falzon in a majority points decision after six rounds in the Southern Fighting Championship (SFC) to claim the belt.

Central Coast mum Pam McClelland has won the NSW Super Featherweight title. Picture: Hayley Mast

The 39-year-old defeated Skye Falzon to win the title. Picture: Hayley Mast

“This has been 12 years in the making,” McClelland, of Woongarrah, told the Express.

“It’s so good being the first girl on the Central Coast to fight professionally and the first girl to win a belt.

“I only ever wanted to have one professional fight and 12 years later here I am.”

McClelland has been training out of G-Six Kincumber and The Grange High Performance under coaches Jake Williamson and Anthony Redward. This has seen her travel between Kincumber, Hornsby and Wollongong to train.

In April, McClelland made the decision to shed more than 16kg and move from the heavyweight division into the featherweight division following a loss and draw in the ring.

“The girls in the heavyweight were too big for me,” she said.

McClelland in March before she made the decision to change from heavyweight to featherweight. Pic Sue Graham

Stepping in the ring in Wollongong, 16.5kg lighter. Picture: Hayley Mast

The NSW Super Featherweight belt. Picture: Hayley Mast

“I didn’t feel fast or strong. After weighing down, I felt stronger, fitter and faster. I needed to be back in this weight division.”

It’s been almost 12 years since McClelland started boxing with the goal to turn professional.

“I turned professional in 2019 and won my first fight by knockout,” she said.

At a point where she thought nothing could stop her, the next few years threw in challenges of the Covid pandemic, the birth of her third child and a devastating hamstring injury where she had to relearn to walk again.

“I thought boxing was never going to happen again and I was never going to achieve my dream,” she said.

“It was a taxing time but it shows if you put in the work and sacrifice, you can achieve great things.”

McClelland with her 2-year-old son. Picture: Sue Graham

She says “anything is possible”. Picture: Sue Graham

McClelland said she chose to ignore the naysayers that told her to hang up the gloves as she was too old.

“If anything that gave me inner drive,” she said. “It shows, if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. You can start from the bottom, age shouldn’t be a barrier.”

McClelland said she will take some time to rest however knows there will be people keen to take the title from her.

“I am keen to defend it for as long as I can,” she said. “I’m not sure how long I have left but anything is possible.”