Sugar Ray Moylette scores homecoming win in Dublin

Tonight in Dublin Ray Moylette finally made his Irish homecoming – while also taking a big step up in class.

The Mayo lightweight, following four fights overseas, featured on the Red Corner ‘For Honour and Pride’ bill at the National Stadium in what was his first six rounder.

Moylette was due to face Arnold Martinez, but was faced with a late replacement – and a tougher opponent – in Nigerian Innocent Anyanwu.

His first fight using the ring moniker ‘Sugar Ray,’ Moylette’s shorts for the night featured images of the two famous Sugar Rays – Robinson and Leonard – on either leg, and the Irishman was too slick for what was his hardest opponent thus far.

A cagey opener saw Moylette score with explosive bursts before the Mayo man had his opponent hurt in the second. Moylette went in for the kill with a succession of left hooks but Anyanwu rode out the storm.

Moylette was battering the fight out of the Dutchman, and landed a number of eye-catching uppercuts in the third round.

Anyanwu managed to corner the Islandeady favourite in the fourth and looked to land big shots, but Moylette would roll with the punches well before retaking control from the outside.

Going into the fifth for the first time in his pro career (Moylette had done six, twice, in the APB) the European gold medalist was utterly dominant, landing heavy shots and combos to body and head against the rugged Anyanwu who clung in there.

It was then a relatively quieter sixth to round our the fight and the win for the Irishman.

Going to the cards there were no surprises as Moylette was deemed a 60:54 winner on referee Emile Tiedt’s card.

The win sees Moylette move to 5(2)-0, while the tough Anyanwu drops to 25(15)-22(4)-3

Next up for Moylette is a brief break to recharge before starting the second stage of his pro career and moving into domestic contention.