“I’m coming for blood” – Matt Doherty warns Ray Moylette ahead of Boston battle

Matt Doherty will be looking to upset the odds tomorrow night in Quincy, send his professional career to the next level, and bring an end to an entertaining little saga of Irish boxing.

A Facebook status in September from the Irish-American spawned a disagreement with Mayo lightweight Ray Moylette which has built into a big fight which will play out live on ESPN2 across America and on eir Sport 1 back home in Ireland.

Doherty [8(4)-3(0)-1] claimed last year that he had agreed to fight Moylette in Boston in September but that the fight was turned down by Packie Collins – something the Dublin coach refutes. Now, six months later, and following further wins for both, the pair will fight over six rounds in the live TV swing bout at the Marina Bay Sports Complex just outside Boston on a Golden Boy on ESPN card which is headlined by the return of Donegal middleweight Jason Quigley.

Looking back, it’s still unclear what the precise sequence of events where which saw Moylette and Doherty not trade leather last year. The fact that the Islandeady prospect was dropped heavily by Donte Bryant two weeks previously has been put forward as a reason, but this doesn’t seem to align

Doherty himself is not one hundred percent and explained to Irish-Boing.com how “happened back in September, and all the back and forth, I’m not exactly sure what happened.”

“We had originally been asked to fight, but at the same time my sister had just passed away and I couldn’t take it. Then I was asked once or twice more and I said ‘okay let’s do it’. I was told that the fight to go against Ray was set. Then a couple days later we were told it wasn’t happening, only to find out his fight was still a go, but with another opponent.”

“I’m sure he wasn’t afraid of me, but I’m not too sure what happened. Promotions, matchmaking, and those things can be tough. The fight is happening now, and we both can fight out what we’ve wanted for the last several months.”

The opportunity to face the former European senior and World Youth amateur champion was too good to turn down for the ambitious Doherty who noted how “I know that Ray has a good background in the sport of boxing.”

“He’s got a long amateur resumé and he has had a really fast, perfect, start in his pro career. He is making noise, and has a lot of support backing him up.”

“That’s why I’m happy to fight him. You have to take those opportunities, and fight to the next level. ”

Alongside his achievements, Moylette was known in his amateur days for his charisma as well as his heated rivalries. This has been carried into the pro game, with Doherty the first to receive some flak – being, in different terms, compared to a donkey’s penis.

None of this seems to bother the Irish-American who is keen to end the verbal jabs and start throwing real ones.

“Trash talking does absolutely nothing in my mind,” he stated. “I take no offense, my feelings aren’t hurt, and I wake up, and sleep at night just the same.”

“I saw some stuff he put out there, I posted it for my fans to see, and I just know that come Saturday, shit gets real.”

Indeed, Moylette’s recent promise that he will knock Doherty out is music to the ears of the Salem slugger. A hard man with a fighting background, ‘The Mantis’ is ready for war.

He described how “I’ve fought in bare-knuckle boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. I’ve been elbowed, kneed, and kicked in the head, and body.”

“If he thinks he’s going to finish this fight, he will surely be disappointed. I’ve been in all kinds of wars. What he wants to throw at me, I’m more than ready for.”

“Let’s see if he has the gas to try to put me out. It may be a terrible move if he tries that all night. I hope he isn’t too angry when he takes a loss from someone with four amateur boxing fights.”

The fight takes place on a Murphys Boxing co-promotion, and the fighter of Cork and Donegal descent claimed a win on another of these shows back in January. That victory was his fourth in a row and his only losses came in a New England title fight and versus WSB champion Zhimin Wang and Olympian Wellington Romero.

The 29-year-old brawler is feeling confident and outlined how “me and my coach Gene Lawerence are on a great streak, and since starting with him, at The Way, we have remained undefeated.”

My boxing fights I lost to elite fighters – and I was still fighting MMA, not fully committed to boxing – and I fought to decisions. I’m ready this fight.”

“I feel great going into this fight and I, for sure, feel like this is my best fight camp to date. We put a lot of work in. When I wasn’t with my coach in the gym, I was running, or doing something active, so physically I’m feeling great. Matched mentally, too, as my camp was easy with my girlfriend, Thyda, who has helped me tremendously with my daughter, Aubrey, and made sure my mind stays focused.”

“What everyone can expect on Saturday, is a good showing from the Boston-Irish fighter! You want a fight to see? This is absolutely the one. I’m coming for blood, and I know Ray is coming for blood. May the canvas be ready for some Irish blood to hit. It’s gonna be a war to see.”