Boxing Ireland Promotions add another fighter to growing roster
A third boxer has been added to the reborn stable of Leonard Gunning’s Boxing Ireland Promotions.
Irish-Boxing.com can confirm that Mayo’s Ryan Peake [1(1)-0] has signed on the dotted line and will continue his pro career after over three years away from the ring – with a comeback date already secured.
The Ballyhaunis boxer debuted as a featherweight, one week after his 19th birthday, back in November. That night at Our Lady’s Hall in Drimnagh, Peake scored an entertaining third round stoppage over Tibor Meszaros but hasn’t been in the ring since.
The Connacht fighter joins Eric Donovan [2(1)-0] and Sean Creagh [4(2)-1(1)] under Gunning.
Peake told Irish-Boxing.com last year about his intentions to return and, following a period of negotiations, a link-up has been agreed.
This backing has already begun to bear fruit, with the 22 year old being added to the upcoming Team Alio/Prospect Boxing card in Belfast on Saturday March 11th along with Ryan Greene, Matt and Luke Wilton, Casey Blair, and Tony Nellins.
Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com, Leonard Gunning stated that “I’m delighted to announce the signing of Ryan Peake.”
“Ryan came to me a few years ago, when he was about 17 or 18, to ask about turning pro, but I advised him to clock up some experience, enter the Seniors, and develop a name for himself. However, his brother [Brandon] was a pro and it was something he was
adamant about.”
“He did some semi pro stuff in England then had a pro fight with Phil Sutcliffe, which he won by stoppage. To be honest, to me, he still didn’t look like he had his ‘man’ strength. Since then he’s been off the scene, but I got chatting to him before Christmas.”
In his interview with Irish-Boxing.com, Peake expressed an admiration of, and desire to fight, Eric Donovan – the jewel in the Boxing Ireland crown. This came up in negotiations, and Gunning notes how “he seems interested in fighting Donovan, which is a bit premature if you ask me, so I said ‘talk to your dad [Martin, who plays a big part in his son’s career] and come back to me.’ They came back, and they want me to look after him.”
Sligo-born Gunning has pedigree when it comes to Western fighters, having managed the brief but memorable career of Block Reynolds, and this is a factor which attracted Peake to the London-based 40 year old.
Excited by his new signing, Gunning described how “Ryan now has a steady job, is in the gym, is fitter, is stronger, and is bigger than when he made his debut.”
“He’ll campaign at super featherweight or lightweight, we’ll make a decision after his debut with me when we see how comfortable he is.”
“I was chatting to Alio, and he was kind enough to give him a slot in March, and we’ll start pushing forward from there.”
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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey look ahead to 2017 in episode 1 of The Irish Boxing Show
