What’s in a couple of kilos? Well, quite a lot for Jack Marley as it happens with the Dublin boxer feeling more comfortable in his body as he heads to Sofia with Team Ireland for the European Elite Championships.
The Dubliner had spent much of his fledgling career fighting first at 91kg and then 92kg, but for the last year or so he has been operating at 90kg – and he feels that is the ideal class for him as heads to Bulgaria with genuine medal hopes.
“The weight change from 92kg to 90kg has been good, I think,” Marley told RTÉ Sport. “I think it’s been a lot better.
“I think I’ve learned a lot more about my body and what I have to do when coming close to competition and just the small one percents before I get in the ring.”
“Just changing between speed and power and trying to combine the two of them and not trying to focus on one thing,” he added on what other ‘one percenters’ he’s been looking at ahead of competition.
“Just trying to differentiate between the two, just tip, tip, tip and then bang, all power, and just trying to work on combining the two as well, which is always great because my style has always been a bit of both and just trying to maximise that.”
Jack Marley (R) in action in the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia in 2025
Sofia is a city Marley knows well by this stage. All the way back in 2019, he fought in the 91kg class in the European Youth Championships, beating Bernhard Rentmeister before losing out to eventual champion Wilfried Florentin, a French fighter tipped for a huge future before being shot dead in 2023.
Marley has also been a regular competitor in the famed Strandja Memorial Tournament – Europe’s oldest multi-nation tournament – and took bronze back in 2024 in one of the highlights of his career.
This event has long been on his radar.
“We had two good preparation tournaments beforehand,” he said.
“We were in China and Brazil for the World Boxing Cups and I wasn’t expecting much out of them considering how inactive we were last year.
“So my main goal for this year was always these European Championships, to leave a mark, and I’m really looking forward to performing.”
It’s a hefty squad making the trip to these championships, Kellie Harrington included after December’s in-ring return, and with the likes of the double Olympic champion and a certain Katie Taylor before her, the incredible strength of Irish women’s amateur boxing has long been known on the European and, indeed, worldwide stage.
Jack Marley is a brand ambassador for Chadwicks, Ireland’s leading builders’ provider
Marley feels a team containing Aoife O’Rourke, Lisa O’Rourke, Daina Moorehouse, Jenny Lehane, Michaela Walsh, Shannon Sweeney, Cliona D’Arcy, Evelyn Igharo could be set for another successful championship – and he feels the men’s stable also provides plenty of reason for optimism.
IRISH EURO SQUAD TAKE INSPIRATION FROM KATIE TAYLOR
“We had a spell for a couple of years where the women dominated and the men didn’t and I think we’re just back to having the name in both sides now, which is really good.”
“The draw plays a big part in the first fight and how people are feeling,” Marley added.
“I’ve just been in my own little bubble at the moment. I haven’t really been looking at anyone else or looking in next door at anyone else.
“I think everyone has a great chance of medalling and I wouldn’t nail it down to any names. I think everyone’s going to do amazing.”