Ryan Walsh Expresses High Anticipation for Upcoming Championship Bout

Norfolk-based boxer Ryan Walsh is set to pursue a second British championship title in a different weight class as he prepares to face Sam Noakes next month. The bout will see Walsh compete against the undefeated Noakes for the British and Commonwealth lightweight championships at Wembley Arena on December 7. The WBO International title will also be contested during this event. Walsh, a 38-year-old fighter from Cromer, previously held the British featherweight championship from 2015 to 2020, establishing himself as one of the division’s longest-reigning titleholders. Walsh commented on his anticipation for the upcoming match, stating, “This is the most excited I’ve ever been. It gives me what I’ve been asking for – a real genuine fight.” In his 35 professional fights, Walsh has sustained four losses but has never been knocked out. Conversely, Noakes maintains an unblemished record of 15 wins and 0 losses, including 14 victories by knockout. Describing the upcoming contest, Walsh remarked, “An unstoppable force against an immovable object. It’s funny, though, because this immovable object is going to be moving like you’ve never seen him moving.” He further elaborated, “I don’t see any gain in showing people that I can take a punch; no, you’re going to have to earn every punch.” Regarding his opponent’s past performances, Walsh stated, “I look at his record as a boxing aficionado, and there isn’t any ‘Ryan Walsh’ on there. Yeah, he’s done exactly what he should do, and he’s done it a little bit better than you’d expect, but nobody is building their name or their career on the back of me.” He concluded by saying, “If anything, I’m using these younger lads to jump the queue to where I need to be.” This fight is scheduled as part of a Queensbury Promotions event, which carries the tagline “Magnificent Seven”. Walsh elaborated on the significance of the number seven for him, explaining, “Eric Cantona of Man United, that number seven, then followed to Beckham and Ronaldo.” He continued, “I think it’s genuinely known as the world’s luckiest number. There’s just something about that number. I’ve got it on my shorts, I’ve got it on my gumshield case, I’ve got it on everything that means something. I’m surprised I didn’t name one of my children ‘seven’, there’s still time.” Walsh added, “For me, the number seven has always been something special. I’m praying that I’m number seven on the running order as well, that would be wonderful.” Graham Everett, Walsh’s trainer at the Pro Box gym in Norwich, disclosed that Ryan had recovered from a significant injury. Everett stated, “In the last couple of years, he got a very, very bad bicep injury, and he doesn’t even tell anybody. He was training in a sling, he was still on the exercise bike doing everything he could.” Everett further commented, “He was shadowboxing with one arm; that’s the type of mentality he’s got – he’s a winner. His desire while he was injured was to prove to everyone that he would get back, and he did get back.” Walsh’s return to the ring occurred on September 27, where he decisively defeated Reece Mould in the first round of their match in Sheffield. A victory over Noakes would significantly advance the fighter known as “Iron” Ryan into contention for a world title. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.