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Homeward Bound Ray Moylette aiming to become a Mayo legend


World titles, pay days, and ring glory are usually the go-to visions for fighters struggling to get out of bed for a 5:00am run, reluctant to do that last gym session, or that extra round in sparring.

When things get tough, most punchers will tell you they quickly think of possible success and the financial reward to ensure they battle through the hard days away from the public eye.

For Ray Moylette, it’s different. While most dream of world glory when the going gets tough, the Islandeady lightweight instead lets him mind drift back home. 

The Assassin star pushed himself with thoughts of topping a bill in his home county. Representing his county in front of his fellow county men and doing his area and those within it proud is what drove Moylette on over the years.

He now gets the chance to realise a life long dream as he fights in Castlebar on December 7th and does so in a significant clash, the toughest and most important of his pro career to date.

Moylette [11(4)-0] could win the WBC Internsational ranking title at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar he he defeats Mexican Christian Uruzquieta [17(6)-4(1)-1].

“To be fighting at home is something I could only dream about. I’ve always had the vision that it could happen,” a delighted Moylette told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I used to play out the scenarios in my head of fighting at home and becoming a local hero. I know it’s sounds pretty funny coming from a grown man but that’s the things that play out in your head on the hard and lonely days training. That vision has driven me to keep the head down and keep working. I knew one day the chance to fight on my home show would arise,” he added before stressing the title makes it all the sweeter.

“I’m delighted I’m in a position to fight for such a major title too. The WBC international strap. Fighting for a top 15 World Ranking in my home town. I have to pinch myself when I think of it.”

Bringing what looks likely to be a TV card to his home county is special for the Paschal Collins trained talent but won’t prove enough.

Moylette wants to bring the same level of pride to the area that GAA team have by reaching All Ireland finals in recent years and wants the same love and support the footballers get.

Indeed, he wants to be as synonymous with Mayo as those trying to end the Sam Maguire drought.

“The people of Mayo have always given me great support and always backed me when I went to fight,” added ‘Sugar Ray’.

“I always felt a connection with them, win or lose. I want to become something that the people of Mayo can boast about and be proud of. We have a great football team and they will win the holy grail sooner or later.”

“I want to be on the level of Mayo football as Gaelic football is the backbone of this country. When someone mentions Mayo everyone pipes up about Mayo football. After December 7th, when someone mentions Mayo, I want my name to follow.”

While it’s a dream come true for Moylette, he admits he was initially apprehensive when a home town fight was first put to him.

The fighter who has drawn crowds in London, Boston and Dublin was worried he might not sell out the Royal Theatre.

However, those fears have been quashed less than a week after the show was officially announced.

“The reaction from my end has been chaotic. I was a little bit hesitant when Kaz [Evans] and Conor [Slater] of Assassin put the proposition to me about fighting at home. I was fearful that we wouldn’t have the interest and I had a load of ‘what ifs?'”

“Thankfully the reaction of all my supporters and the people of Ireland has been out of this world and I no longer have any fears or doubts. I know everything will run exactly as it is meant to.”

“This will be a sell out. Tickets only arrived and I’m all ready on my second block as I had to come again. The buzz around town is mental. Everyone is talking about the fight and how excited they are. This will be a major event for the town of Castlebar and I’m delighted that I can give something back to the local businesses.”

The buzz has been such around the local area that Moylette thinks December 7th could be something special.

Indeed, he even went as far as to raise the by now infamous ‘Bernard Dunne Days’ as he predicts a bigger venue, perhaps McHale Park, may be needed if he returns home again next year.

“If this fight night goes as planned this has potential to be one of the best fight nights in the Republic of Ireland in the last 10 years. Bernard Dunne’s days in Dublin were great. You had the likes of Andy Lee and Dunne on a card and you were always in for a treat.”

“The undercard is stacked with quality and the main event is going to be a real fight for the fans. Please God all goes well, I get the win and everyone has a great night. I hate to say it so early but, from the reception I’ve gotten already, this is something we could look at next year for a bigger title fight and maybe, maybe a bigger venue.”

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