With rapid rebuild continuing – Larry Fryers believes shock loss was “the best thing”

Larry Fryers [8(3)-1(1)] fell to a shocking sixth round stoppage defeat back in April but claims the loss was the best thing that has ever happened to him as he approaches another big fight in New York this weekend.

The Monaghan light welter was stopped by tough Russian Nikolay Buzolin on the Danny Jacobs v Maciej Sulecki card at the Barclays Centre which also featured Katie Taylor.

However, Fryers has rebuilt rapidly since then, making wholesale changes to his team and he now, just over seven months and two wins later, is primed move to an even better position than he was before his maiden loss.

The Clones 28-year-old features on a bill at the Amazura Concert Hall in Queens on Friday night where he steps up to eight rounds for the first time versus the tough Ronald Rivas.

Fryers argues that he would never have been in this position were it not for his upset loss back in April.

While it was “a tough pill to swallow,” Fryers explained to Irish-Boxing.com how “looking back, that defeat was the best thing that has happened in my career to date.”

“It made me really have to examine myself and my team and everything that was going wrong.”

“After that defeat I had to change everything, I changed trainers and gyms and got rid of my promoter and manager as they completely let me down in the lead up,” he revealed without wanting to go into major detail.

Instead, Fryers focuses on the positives and the building, outlining how “my new team got me going pretty much straight away.”

“I was back in the gym a week after that fight and my new trainer Alex Solomon got stuck straight into me and got me back boxing the way I like to box and thankfully it has been a great partnership.”

“We have hit the ground running with two good wins in quick succession and I’m back enjoying my boxing again so I’m over the moon with the way my career is going again.”

“We have got it back on track and can look forward to going for win number three on Friday night.”

The aggressive fighter is looking forward to moving up to eight rounds, believing his marauding style will suit the format better – and spell trouble for game Guatemalean Rivas [5(3)-7(2)-2], himself no stranger to the away corner shock.

Fryers described how “this my first eight rounder and I cant wait as the longer rounds suit my style more, I can really take advantage of them extra minutes and really start to show what my style is all about.”

“My opponent Ronald Rivas is a good operator, he has shared the ring with some quality opponents and has a good reputation.”

“He comes to fight which is what I wanted, it’s a step up for me and I can’t wait.”

“This is what I asked for and thankfully I’ve got what I’ve asked for – the fans can expect a war as he comes forward as do I. so we are going to meet in the centre of the ring and go to war.”

The card on Friday night will be streamed live, professionally, via the popular ‘FIGHTNIGHT LIVE’ Facebook page, which is great news for an Irish immigrant like Fryers and he notes how “all my family and fans back home in Ireland will be fit to tune in and get to watch the action.”

“There’s a lot of excitement building for it now I can’t wait to put on a good show for them.”

Fryers isn’t the only New York-based Irishman featuring on the bill either, with fellow light welterweight Noely Murphy making his return from a first career loss on the bill.

Is a fight with the Cork man possible for next year, maybe?

“To be honest, I can’t see it, not in 2019 anyway,” informs Fryers.

“I believe we probably will cross paths but I’d rather do it when there would be something worthwhile at stake like a title of some sort.”

“If we both have good 2019 ands get our records up a bit more then why not look at the bigger picture of possibly getting it on in The Garden for a title? How good would that be? Two Irish New York-based fighters headlining The Garden, digging it out for an Irish title or possibly a world title – now that’s what I’d like.”

“But, look, like me, Noely has a job to do on Friday night and I wish him all the luck.”

“I know Noely, he’s a good guy and in order for us to get it on we have to keep winning so, hopefully, he gets the job done on Friday night.”