“My grandfather and father make a living kicking balls, and I make a living kicking people in the head,” Peacock said. “I played soccer, but I wasn't good enough to be a pro, so I decided to focus on martial arts because that's what I was really good at. I went from there.”
Born with only one arm, Peacock punished Shinjo for three rounds, with a flurry of kicks and left punches that left Shinjo bleeding profusely by the end of the fight.
Not being able to punch or block with his missing right hand is clearly a disadvantage for Peacock, but he never thought of things that way.
“It's the same for me because I didn't know the difference. I've never put a cap on myself,” he said. “I have never doubted myself. The sky is the limit for me.”
After last Friday's game, Chatri Sitoyotton was reluctant to sign with the Peacocks. ONE Championship's CEO felt the Briton's performance justified the decision to proceed.
“I was very hesitant to bring him in because he only has one arm and I didn’t want to see him get knocked out. “I proved that I was,” he said. “He is an inspiration.”
Peacock was not given this opportunity to plate. He won the Road to ONE tournament in his adopted home of Canada and has won all but one of his professional matches thus far.
“I proved myself [to get into ONE Championship], I went 12-1 and knocked out 11 people,” he said. “I’m going to put on a show every time I fight.”
This is Peacock's first time competing in Thailand. The fans at Lumpinee Stadium gave him an enthusiastic welcome, clearly having never seen a fighter with different limbs enter the ring before.
He had been training for several days at Bangkok's famous PKSaenchai gym in preparation for this fight, and Peacock was clearly enjoying the experience.
“I ended up coming down a little early to get used to the environment, and they really cared about me,” he said. “I think I'll go there again because it's a quality gym. It's my first time fighting in Thailand. The people are great, the fans are great.''
The bantamweight division has a much bigger challenge ahead, with elite Muay Thai practitioners such as Superlek Kiatmu9, Nong-O Gayanhadao, Nico Carrillo, and champion Jonathan Haggerty, but Peacock is ready for anyone. is completed.
“I don't really like swearing,” he said. “We'll take it one challenge at a time, and I've never turned down a fight.”
The Peacock family name will always be synonymous with football. Although the 30-year-old is following a completely different sporting path, he has already established himself as a fan favorite in Thailand, and fans will be looking forward to his next ONE Championship appearance. .
