Two more milestones for Ray Moylette as he closes in on dream Mayo homecoming

Ray Moylette [9(3)-0] has had his breakthrough and is ready to continue building toward a massive Mayo homecoming this Christmas.

The Islandeady lightweight overcame Boston rival Matt Doherty in March and now has two more important steps lined up for him.

First, on Saturday May 26th at the Corn Exchange in Ipswich, the Assassin Boxing fighter will step up to eight rounds for the first time.

Then, on Saturday June 23rd at the Bank of America Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire, moves are being made for a maiden title shot.

Having had the dream debut year, fighting regularly against mostly solid opposition, Moylette is delighted with how his career is progressing.

‘Sugar Ray’ explained to Irish-Boxing.com how “we’re in to competitive fights now. I knew the last opponent [Doherty], I could train exactly for him, and it was a bit of a domestic.”

“Everything is coming along lovely, I’m excited by all the opportunities I have got. When I’m winning, and I’ve only won lately, the phone is ringing constantly, Kaz [Evans, promoter] is ringing me every day with fights, Packy [Collins, trainer] is offering me fights through [Murphys Boxing’s] Ken Casey in Boston. I’ve any amount of opportunities there.”

“At this stage I’m almost refusing fights! People know now that I’ve something to offer a show, whether it’s in America, England, or Ireland. I can bring the class in the ring and bring the tickets.”

A shot at a title in June on a Murphys Boxing card is at the forefront of Moylette’s mind. The Westerner chose to downgrade a potential title fight with Doherty to a six-rounder in the hope of getting live TV – a move which did not play out as planned – and is now itching to get a belt around his waist.

“That’s what we’re looking at,” said the 28-year-old.

“The fight in May is, more or less, a keep-busy fight for me and then I hope to fight for a State title – either Massachusetts or New England – in New Hampshire at the end of June.”

“My main goal is June 23rd in Boston, I’m in camp for that at the minute and a fight thrown in the middle will keep me busy, keep me on track, and keep my weight down. I find it a lot easier to train when I have a fight coming up and it’s good to build the record.”

The move up to eight rounds, too, is something which should benefit Moylette – who was recently in London sparring three-weight champion Ricky Burns.

Great day in London with @raymoylette who did a great 8 rounds with 3 weight world champion @ricksterko pic.twitter.com/DHLexe9Pko

— AssassinPromotions (@AssassinBoxing) May 2, 2018

Known as a puncher in the amateurs, his 33% KO ratio in the pros is somewhat misleading.

The game Matt Probin was dropped, Ivan Godor, Luka Leskovic, and Innocent Anyanwu are some of the most durable journeymen around, and both Donte Bryant and Matt Doherty were out on their feet by the end of their fights with Moylette.

The Celtic Warriors Gym man believes we will start to see more stoppages as he transitions to longer fights, reasoning how I haven’t had easy fights. Most of my fights, they haven’t been 50-50, but they’ve been 70-30 to me. I’ve fought good, decent guys.”

“I could have knocked a few more of them out but I’m still developing my power with Packie Collins every day in the gym.”

“Looking back at my last fight with Matt Doherty, after the first round, it was one of my best performances and I should have knocked him out, there were opportunities there that I didn’t take. I know that power is there and I’m anxious to unleash it.”

“Not only did I have [Matt Doherty and Donte Bryant] hurt, they were a lot more tired than I was. Fitness isn’t a question with me, and I can carry my power into the later rounds when it’s more dangerous. The bell has been coming for me when I’m hitting full steam ahead.”

The prospect of a Mayo homecoming remains front and centre for Moylette, and a big fight night this side of Christmas is tentatively being planned.

Opponents and venues are being lined up but the 2011 European Champion knows he has two fights coming up, and at least one more, before he can fulfil his dream.

Moylette outlined how “there’s a lot of talk of a homecoming in Mayo and it is going to be big – but I can’t overshoot the runway! But definitely, there’s going to be some surprises, we’ve got a pretty good domestic fight lined up for an Irish title or a Celtic title or a ranking title.”

“Mayo’s a good county for support of sport and I just want to go back and fight in my hometown and have all my friends and family around me. Ultimately, when I’m fighting in England or Boston, I’m away from home.”

“Hopefully, please God, we’ll get television involved and then, to be main event, fighting in your home town, and to have TV on board to broadcast it around the world – that’s the pinnacle and that’s what we’re aiming towards for the end of the year.”