I beat Tyson in pigeon race

David Goodwin • Published 10 Jun 2011 12:00 3 Comments

PROUD Jamie Farrelly told today how he took on boxing legend Mike Tyson and won - in a PIGEON RACE.

US-based Jamie - whose family hail from Greenock - appeared on Iron Mike's bird-based TV show 'Taking on Tyson', in which the ex-champ reveals his love for doos.

Pigeon fancier Jamie, 35, first got to know the 44-year-old heavyweight through mutual friends in both the fight and flight games.

Jamie told the Tele: "It's been very exciting to meet Mike and get to know him.

"I was an amateur boxer myself, so I have seen Mike in the passing over the years just to say 'Hi' to.

"I trained in New York as an amateur and hung out in the gyms and stuff, so it wasn't unusual to see Mike around the place.

"He is an extremely humble guy, and genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet - an extremely engaging person.

"We're not on the phone to each other every day, but we are definitely pals now."

Jamie - whose mum and dad, Jim and Elizabeth, are from Greenock - was born in Brooklyn but spent his summers on holiday in Inverclyde as a youngster.

And he still comes over regularly to visit his gran, Mary Muir, at her home in Nicolson Street.

The 'Taking on Tyson' programme producers found out about the link between Jamie and the famous former boxer and invited Jamie to take part in an episode where his Brooklyn team take on Tyson's New Jersey pigeon crew in a showdown bird race.

Jamie - who runs a specialist coffee company with his brothers Craig, 25, and Alan, 34 - said: "When we raced for the show we were put into teams.

"Tyson was a great boxing champion, but he didn't do too well with the pigeons because he's a novice when it comes to racing them.

"But he's kept pigeons since he was about 10 and the way he handles the birds is amazingly gentle and some comparison with what most people have seen of him in the ring.

"It is amazing how many people involved in boxing also have a passion for pigeons too - and Mike has a real affection for them.

"It really is some crossover between boxing and pigeons."

Jamie, who speaks with a distinct Scots-American lilt, said: "Mike is undeniably the most colourful heavyweight there's ever been, and he still has that aura about him - a real presence when he walks into a room."

"There is a real misconception about him.

"But at least I can say I took on Tyson and won."

Tweet

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 10 Jun 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  susanita
  2 posts
  Jun 11, 01:00
  Report comment

  Congratulations Jamie from your cousin Susan in San Diego California
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 1

• 

  james11
  1 post
  Jun 11, 02:23
  Report comment

  Thanks Susan i just logged on here using my cousins account being he has one for telegraph to read article its small world :), My mum was just asking about you, she said for you to request her on Facebook if you have an account, Its Elizabeth Muir Farrelly on FB shes back in Greenock next week.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

• 

  broxibear69
  16 posts
  Jun 12, 03:20
  Report comment

  ooo my pigeon beat mike tysons give me a break
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 4

Post a comment

Comments posted in the evening, through the night and at weekends will be queued for moderation as we do not have moderators available outwith office hours.

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

You must be logged in to post. If you have not registered with us, please do so now.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users do not have to complete word verification once logged in and can also take part in competitions and other registered user only features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @greenocktele