Building momentum after a period of frustration
It is often said that success breeds success, and that may be well illustrated by the sudden upswing in fortunes being experienced by Paul Peers.
The Liverpudlian boxer had endured a particularly frustrating patch in his career. His momentum was broken, first by the coronavirus pandemic, and then by the foibles of the sport, with shows falling through and opponents pulling out of fights. Still, despite the stop-start nature of the sport at this level, Peers kept focused, and most importantly kept winning. And then… it happened.
A shot at two world titles on one night was booked in for July. Frustratingly – and perhaps predictably – it was cancelled at late notice. But when it was rescheduled for two months later – and finally went ahead – Peers was determined to seize the moment.
Away-day assignment against unbeaten prospect
On September 17 in Mansfield, Peers was in imperious form as he first defused the power-punching threat posed by co-challenger Samuel Akrogo, and then knocked the Ghanaian out in the third round with a sweeping left hook.
With the victory, Peers took back to his adoptive home of Orkney two title belts – WBU and PBC welterweight – but if he thought this double-title triumph would also earn him a rest, he would be mistaken.
“Honestly, I was on a bit of a comedown two or three days after the fight,” says Peers of the realisation that, while winning these titles was the realisation of a life’s dream, that now meant he was suddenly, for the first time in months, without a target in sight.
And then the phone rang.
Manager and coach Lee McAllister had received another fight offer for Paul – less than a fortnight later in the Czech Republic.
Peers accepted immediately.
“I have to keep the momentum going,” he says.
“I’d already put a bit of weight on, as I’d switched off a bit.”
His cherished new championship belts will not be on the line in Pilsen, an hour and a half’s drive from the Czech capital, Prague, but even so, Peers will have to ensure he’s switched on this Friday (September 30).
His opponent is an undefeated young Ukrainian called Artem Viryak, who boasts a 100% knockout ratio, all the confidence that comes with it, and the vigour of youth at just 23.
The classic clash of youth versus experience
Peers, though, believes any such confidence held by Viryak will be quickly dispelled once the first bell rings for this bout staged by Patron Boxing.
“They’re looking past me,” he says. “They probably just saw my record on BoxRec and thought that’s it.”
BoxRec lists Peers as a mere 1-2 as a pro, as the website refuses to recognise the British and Irish Boxing Authority, with whom Peers is licensed. In reality, he is 11-5.
This bout in the Czech Republic is recognised by BoxRec and, regardless of the politics of record-keeping, could be a tasty blend of youth versus experience.
And whatever an athlete’s age and experience, one thing that is indispensable is momentum – and you can’t get greater momentum than following a title win with another run-out just 13 days later.
“I didn’t box for 11 months and now I’ve got two fights in two weeks,” says Peers.
“But there’s no problem with such a quick turnaround. I didn’t come out of second gear against Akrogo.
“What Lee [McAllister] has taught me is to relax and just let the shots come.”
And it was while he was relaxing at home with his new belts that the fight offer came, too.
Now all Peers has to do is travel 1,500 miles to fight and beat an undefeated boxer 12 years his junior, and then he can relax again – whatever that leads to!
LINKS
1 punch 2 belts – Paul Peers becomes a double champ
Paul Peers guns for titles, and dreams of revenge
Paul Peers athlete bio
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