Mayo’s Ryan Peake targets comeback
Mayo fighter Ryan Peake [1(1)-0] is aiming for a return to the ring, over three years on since his debut.
The Ballyhaunis boxer became, at the time, Ireland’s youngest pro fighter in November 2013 when he stopped Tibor Meszaros at Our Lady’s Hall in Drimnagh, but hasn’t been seen between the ropes since.
Peake recently contacted Irish-Boxing.com to reveal that he has restarted training under his father at Ballyhaunis Boxing Club with the hope of securing some backing for a comeback.
Explaining why he has been out of action for so long, the Westerner stated that the “main reason I stepped away from boxing was because I couldn’t afford to be on most shows. I was just 19 without a job wanting to put all my focus on boxing but then when Stephen Sharpe of KO Promotions let me know by text message that the promotional company was no longer active it left me with nothing.”
Peake, who turned 22 today, described how he then requested slots on cards over the past few years only to be met with the same response from promoters, who are admittedly faced with a very tough job of trying to run a business.
“I asked to be on shows and they didn’t even question my talent just ‘how many tickets can you sell?'” Peake recalled.
“The main problem I have with selling tickets is where I’m based in Mayo, as there’s no shows here all my fans have to travel compared to Dublin and Belfast fighters with their shows in their backyards.”
The Connacht super feather has however decided to give the sweet science one more shot. With 2011 European champion Ray Moylette also making the move to the paid game, Peake can envision boxing cards making a return to Mayo.
“With Ray turning pro it’s a great opportunity for me to be on his undercard,” he noted. “Ray is a huge talent, I remember him boxing on a Katie Taylor amateur show in the TF and I’m pretty sure Ray sold out that show.”
“Hopefully he can bring back some Henry Coyle nights like in the past.”
When he does make his return, Peake is targeting the Irish title, and hopes to one day take part in a dream fight with another green belt-hungry fighter.
Peake outlined how “I’m planning on coming back to a easy four rounder and try build up to an Irish title fight.”
“I’m not calling anybody out, but I’d love a Irish title fight with Eric Donovan, I looked up to him when I was just 13 boxing in the Stadium. I loved his style.”
“It’s funny because Donovan won’t even have any idea who I am, but I think it would be a more competitive fight than people think.”
