Peter McGrail has immediately set his sights on challenging for titles next year after becoming just the second man to stop Hironori Miyake.
McGrail scored a stunning second round TKO at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo as he continued his charge towards the top of the super-bantamweight division. The huge Everton supporter was returning to the ring for the first time since he broke the spirit of Alexander Espinoza at Probellum Liverpool II back in October.
Meanwhile, McGrail was also returning to the city where he saw his Olympic dreams crash at the first hurdle after suffering a shock defeat to Thailand’s Chatchai-decha Butdee last year. Speaking ahead of the fight, the 26-year-old admitted he was ready to draw a line under the disappointment and end 2022 with a bang, and he certainly did that here.
READ MORE: Naoya Inoue stops Paul Butler to become undisputed bantamweight champion
READ MORE: James Metcalf eyes 2023 world title showdown after stopping Courtney Pennington
McGrail dominated from the first bell, and after Miyake threw a lackadaisical overhand right, the Everton Red Triangle man responded with a swift one-two counter that sent Miyake to the canvas. The 34-year-old bravely rose to his feet as he fought to carry on, but referee Takeru Okaniwa waved the contest off.
“I’m happy, it was a good performance. I dropped him and then towards the end of the second, I landed a left hook, and the ref waved it off,” McGrail said post-fight.
“I have always known that when I turned pro, and with the smaller gloves, I would stop opponents. I am still looking for that clean KO but it will come.”
And when asked what might be next, McGrail replied: “I’ve had four fights, and all have been won by stoppage. I boxed twice in Liverpool, once in Dubai,
“I headlined my first show and finished the year, here, in Japan with a nice stoppage. I am now looking forward to next year.
“Everyone knows how it works with me, I leave the decisions over my opponents to Paul (Stevenson) and Anthony (Humphreys), my coaches, as well as my manager and promoter. Whoever they put me in with, I will be ready.
“But I think they know, and everyone knows, that it’s time to start pushing on for titles, whether they be domestic or international belts as we climb the rankings. I want to collect as many titles in my career as possible and next year will be the start.”
READ MORE:
