Jake Peacock won Road to ONE: Canada, earning him a spot in ONE Championship. That in itself was an inspirational story for athletes with different limbs. But Peacock didn't just become a story. He came to ONE to fight the best strikers in the world.
At ONE Friday Fights 58, Peacock showed everyone that he can handle himself under bright lights. Peacock won by unanimous decision in a three-round battle against Kohei Shinjo. Grateful for his opportunity, Peacock was able to reflect on his performance after the event.
Jake Peacock: “We're back to square one.”
“[My debut] It was dominated from bell to bell. And there is no question that I deserve that decision. I had fun there, calmed down and passed the time. He didn't make it to the finish. I was looking for it for a long time and I'm glad I settled on making my debut,'' Peacock told ONE.
There is little rest for the British-Canadian athlete. Always looking to keep improving, Peacock promised everyone he would be back in the gym soon. After a strong debut, “The One” is ready for whatever challenge comes his way next.
“I'm going to go straight back to square one. There's a lot of work to do. That's always the case after a fight. Whether I win in the first round or they make it all the way to the end, there's always room for improvement, so I'm going to keep my head down. I will go back to the gym soon and prepare for the next match,” said the inspirational athlete.
There may be plenty of options in the stacked bantamweight division. For Peacock, he is ready to sign any talented Muay Thai fighter on the dotted line. “The One” doesn’t have a single name that stands out. He just wants to continue showcasing his skills on the world stage.
“I've never called people out. I've never refused a fight, no matter who throws it at me. I'm always looking for scraps, so send me your names. In the end. I nod. I want to keep trying. I ultimately want to compete against the best and in everything I do, I want to glorify God in the process,” Peacock said. Ta.
As a non-limb athlete, Peacock knows he can be a beacon of hope to all those who have the opportunity to watch him compete. He happily accepts that and hopes his show at ONE Friday Fights 58 is just the beginning of his time on the world stage. But don't get me wrong. He also competes in ONE as he works his way up the ranks to pursue his dream of reaching the top of the Muay Thai mountain.
“I really hope that I can inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. I intend to inspire others and entertain the public,'' Peacock said.
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