Former Boxing Champion Parlays His Prowess into Acting

For Mark McPherson of Tarrytown, a former professional boxer who is now acting in the Off-Broadway play Kid Shamrock, boxing isn’t really much different than acting.

“In fighting,” McPherson said, “you’re always acting like you’re not scared.”

Back in the 1980s, McPherson was, at the peak of his career, ranked ninth in the world. He was in 23 professional fights, 20 of which he won. While he was no stranger to TV – with some televised fights, interviews, and bit parts in a few commercials – “other than Guys and Dolls in high school,” he had never really considered acting.

McPherson comes of a big sporting family in Long Island. Two of his brothers were in the NFL. While his parents were supportive of his choice to box, “they were terrified,” he said. Getting knocked out was “just a part of the business.”

The same might be said of the thespian life. 

By day, McPherson is a trainer at a gym in Mt. Kisco and by night he’s been rushing to the city for rehearsals and performances. “It’s a small role, but with a lot of stage time,” he said of his part as “cut man,” the guy who tends to the boxer’s wounds and delivers encouragement and words of wisdom.

"Examining the depths of a boxer's soul and celebrating the proud tradition of the sweet science, Kid Shamrock," according to the promotional material, "provides a rare glimpse into the mindset of the fighter. Offering that glimpse on stage are fighters themselves." 

The play, based on a true story, is full of boxers, four ex-boxers and three current, with only a few veteran actors. McPherson noted that there’s talk of parlaying the play into a movie, and if so, he’d love to be a part of it. He plans to take an acting class and see where it leads him.

“I’m having the time of my life doing this, and getting paid no less,” he said.

Kid Shamrock is playing now through Sunday Dec. 4 at the TADA Theater, 15 W. 28th Street, 3rd Floor, NYC, $40. For more information or to order tickets, click here.