Bantamweight Muay Thai star Jake Peacock’s ONE Championship debut was met with plenty of curiosity from fans who wondered how the first limb-different fighter to compete in the promotion would manage against the very best strikers in the world. And they cheered loudly when the Englishman announced himself in style.
Peacock dispatched Kohei Shinjo across three rounds last Friday, 5th April at ONE Friday Fights 58 in Bangkok, Thailand’s iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium to earn a dominant unanimous decision win, and the Road to ONE: Canada winner believes he’s just getting started.
“It’s an absolute honor to fight for ONE Championship. It’s most people’s dream, and I am living the dream. So I am very grateful to be on this platform and to showcase my skills with the best talent in the world,” Peacock said.
“[My debut] was domination from bell to bell. And there’s no doubt I deserved the decision. I had fun in there, got settled in, and took my time. I didn’t get the finish. I was always looking for it, but it was nice for me to settle in for my debut.”
Jake Peacock on ONE Championship Debut
In his own words, the 30-year-old had a lot of fun inside the Lumpinee ring. But he’s not one to get complacent or forget how high he wants to reach.
Thus, Peacock is already figuring out what can be improved for his next outing in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
“I’m going to go straight back to the drawing board. I’ve got a lot to work on. I always do after fights,” he assessed.
“I’ve never called people out. Whoever’s thrown at me, I’ve never turned down a fight. I’m always down for a scrap, so send a name, and there’ll be a nod at the end of it.”
Coincidentally, Peacock’s debut took place during April’s annual limb-difference
awareness month. The Brit star was born missing his forearm due to complications in the womb, but that hasn’t stopped him from going after his goals.
Limb-different combatants are few and far between, and he wants to use his positioning to be a beacon of light to others around the world.
“I really hope I can inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. I think I am doing that, and I am very grateful to have that stage and be a good role model to people,” Peacock said.
“I’m going to inspire others, and I’m going to entertain the masses.”
