Jake Peacock hopes to encourage and show any doubters improper on his ONE Championship debut because the fighter with one arm shorter than the opposite steps as much as a stage he felt sure he would attain.
Peacock, the son of ex-Chelsea, QPR and Newcastle footballer Gavin Peacock and grandson of Charlton Athletic legend Keith Peacock, was born with out his proper hand and forearm.
Jake has not let that cease him and can head into his bantamweight Muay Thai conflict in opposition to Japan’s Kohei Shinjo in Bangkok on Friday with a 12-1 skilled document, together with 11 stoppages.
Talking forward of the bout, which you’ll watch stay on Sky Sports activities‘ digital platforms from 1.30pm on Friday, Peacock informed Sky Sports activities‘ John Dennen: “I hope folks can be impressed.
“There could be some scepticism, there could be some doubt, however after they see my skills hopefully that could be a motivator for folks.
“For folks with lacking limbs or folks with obstacles in life… I’ve so many individuals attain out who’re struggling financially, scuffling with a dysfunction.
“I might like to be an instance of motivation and inspiration for folks caught in a rut.
“Conor McGregor said it best: ‘we are not here to take part, we are here to take over’. It’s the same for me.
“I’ve made it to the ONE Championship, the largest martial arts organisation on the planet, however that isn’t the top objective.
‘I used to be born for the world stage’
“I am here do some damage, climb the ranks and show people what I am made of. I have been ready for the world stage for a long time, I think I was born for it.
“My dad and mom let me get on with stuff, stay my life, determine it out and [my first coach] Steve Groom was the identical. They’ve been very influential. There have been no ceilings of the place I can attain. “
Peacock, who took up martial arts at the age of seven, says opponents who view his right arm as an area to exploit have been proved wrong.
“Lots of people come into the combat and possibly suppose that’s my weaker facet and are going to focus on that space nevertheless it has not labored out for anybody who has performed that.
“I can not assist however end folks. I do harm with my proper arm. I’ve dropped a few folks.
“I manage my distance and range well and I make it uncomfortable for people. If they put it on me, I am going to try and give something back.
“I’ve at all times been sturdy and had good approach however after I turned professional I had a complete mindset shift. My mentality was totally different, I simply had this killer intuition in me.”
On being part of a sporting family, Peacock added: “My dad kicked balls for a dwelling and I kick folks’s heads! My grandad performed over 500 video games for Charlton so it’s within the blood.
“If anything it motivates me more and gives me a real sense I belong in professional sport at the highest level.”
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