Our latest inductee into the Stabroek Sports’ Boxing’s Hall of Fame is a `Superman’.
Not the comic book Superman character but rather a gifted boxer, blessed with what seemed at times superhuman abilities when in the ring.
Small wonder then that Gairy `Superman’ St Clair went on to become champion of the world winning the IBO and IBF super lightweight titles.
As a boxer St Clair was no less flashy, no less charismatic than Terrence Alli. In fact some would argue that he was the better all-round boxer.
But his pretty boy good looks, belied the fierce warrior that he was. He was nothing but a baby-faced assassin.
St Clair, born February 2, 1975, started his amateur career at a very tender age and from the inception, seemed destined for greatness.
On the local scene he was almost untouchable. His fancy footwork and lightning hand-speed, sped him to five amateur flyweight champion of Guyana titles.
The year 1993 was a good one for St Clair. He won a gold medal at the junior Pan American Games in Venezuela defeating the Cuban Lonzius Alvarez 37-21.
For good measure he then threw in a CAC Games bronze medal at the games held in Puerto Rico.
Despite these successes he decided to go pro, starting his professional career the following year on October 16.
His first opponent was Nigel Boston whom he defeated over four rounds. He then racked up a 16-fight unbeaten streak with 15 wins and one draw before losing to Diego Corrales on December 18 1998.
Corrales was two years younger, 21, to St Clair’s 23, but he was vastly more experienced with 25 fights to St Clair’s 14. St Clair took that defeat in his stride and rebounded with a points win against the `tough as nails’ Vincent Howard for the super featherweight title of Guyana over 12 rounds on February 19 1999.
His biggest win came on April 19, 2002 when he defeated James Swan at the La Montage Function Centre, Sydney, for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific super featherweight title. St Clair won by a TKO in round 12.
He also captured another title when he defeated Wirat Sawangwong by a unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO Inter Continental featherweight title.
That bout was held at Panthers World of Entertainment, Pennith, New South Wales, Australia.
His finest hour, though, occurred on July 29, 2006 when he outpointed Cassius Baloyi over 12 rounds for the IBO and IBF titles.
The fight took place at the Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa.
He did not hold onto the title for very long losing the title in his first defence on November 4, 2006 to Malcolm Klassen over 12 rounds again in Gauteng, South Africa.
But St Clair was not finished yet. He challenged Amir Khan for the Commonwealth lightweight title over 12 rounds on February 2 , 2008 in London but lost.
After losing three title fights in a row St Clair retired from the sport.
He then came out of retirement on December 20, 2009 defeating Moses Seran over 10 rounds.
His last two bouts were against the same opponent and on both occasions the result was the same, a win for the Guyanese.
On May 17, 2013 he defeated Robert Oyan in a six rounder. The two fought again on June 29, 2013 and St Clair won the 10 rounder by a unanimous decision.
He retired in 2013.
These days St Clair can be found in Australia where he resides with his wife , training boxers.
He also has a gym.
Career record:- 59 bouts, 45 wins (17 kayoes), 12 losses and two draws.
