“My grandad and my dad kicked balls for a residing and I kick individuals within the head for a residing,” Peacock mentioned. “I performed soccer however I wasn’t adequate to show professional, so I made a decision to stay to martial arts as a result of that was what I used to be actually good at, and I went from there.”
Although he was born with just one arm, Peacock didn’t let that cease him punishing Shinjo for 3 rounds, with a barrage of kicks and left-handed punches leaving the Japanese fighter bleeding profusely by the tip of the struggle.
Being unable to punch or block together with his lacking proper hand clearly places Peacock at an obstacle however he has by no means seen issues that approach.
“I’ve by no means recognized any completely different so to me it’s the identical. I by no means put a ceiling on myself,” he mentioned. “I’ve by no means doubted myself. The sky’s the restrict for me.”
After final Friday’s struggle, Chatri Sityodtong had been reluctant to signal Peacock. The ONE Championship CEO felt the choice to proceed was vindicated by the Englishman’s efficiency.
“I used to be very hesitant about bringing him in, as a result of I might hate to see him knocked out as a result of he solely has one arm, however he proved a whole lot of naysayers incorrect,” he mentioned. “He’s an inspiration.”
Peacock was not given this chance on a plate. He gained a Street to ONE match in his adopted residence of Canada and has gained all however certainly one of his skilled fights so far.
“I proved myself [to get into ONE Championship], I used to be 12-1 and I knocked out 11 individuals,” he mentioned. “I’m going to placed on a present each time I struggle.”
This was Peacock’s first time competing in Thailand. The followers at Lumpinee Stadium had clearly by no means seen a limb-different fighter step into this ring earlier than, and gave him a rousing reception.
He spent just a few days coaching on the well-known PKSaenchai Fitness center in Bangkok whereas getting ready for this struggle and Peacock clearly loved the expertise.
“I ended up coming down slightly bit early to acclimatise and so they actually taken care of me,” he mentioned. “It’s a top quality gymnasium, so I’ll most likely return there. It’s my first time combating in Thailand. The individuals are superb and the followers are superb.”
There are far better challenges on the market within the bantamweight division with elite Muay Thai practitioners like Superlek Kiatmoo9, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Nico Carrillo and champion Jonathan Haggerty, however Peacock is prepared for anybody.
“I’m probably not into calling out names,” he mentioned. “One problem at a time, however I’ve by no means turned down a struggle.”
The Peacock household title will all the time be synonymous with soccer. The 30-year-old is on a really completely different sporting path however seems to have already established himself as a fan favorite in Thailand the place followers can be eagerly anticipating to his subsequent ONE Championship look.
