An English featherweight title shot looms against champion Isaac Lowe, on the undercard of Anthony Crolla’s November 21 world title return with Darleys Perez at the Manchester Arena, if Doyle comes through unscathed at the Warehouse.
“If I’m totally honest it’s just a case of getting through this next fight,” revealed Ryan, 24, “because there’s a big fight on the horizon but I’ve still got a job to do on Saturday. So it’s an awkward one. I don’t feel any added pressure, I’ll go in there and do my thing and what will be will be. I’m looking to get the win and then get the show on the road against Isaac.”
Doyle’s only defeat in 11 outings was a surprise one against decent journeyman Ian Bailey in September last year. With a broken hand and a bad cut, Doyle succumbed to Bailey’s pressure and lost via a shock tenth round stoppage. Aggressive and a big hitter – six of his wins have come via KO – Ryan makes no excuses and says that defeat was just a bad night at the office.
Lowe, unbeaten in 11 with four KOs, is a fighter on the up. An all-action, come-forward slugger, the Morecambe man stopped Jamie Speight in impressive fashion in front of the SKY TV cameras in September to win the title, and isn’t short on confidence. Lowe against Doyle has all the makings of a terrific scrap and could even steal the thunder from the Crolla main event.
“Isaac is a very good talent, he’s a good fighter. What he does, he does well. He is aggressive and come-forward, and he’s a mirror-image of me! That’s why it will be such an exciting fight, we’ve similar styles and we can both punch a bit so it will be a great fight.
“Isaac will be the best opponent I’ve had in front of me. He’s English champion, he’s a quality fighter. But I also believe I’ll be his best opponent. On paper it’s a 50-50. Isaac’s probably the favourite because he’s the champion, and he’s champion for a reason.
“I’m going to train to the best of my ability, Isaac will do the same, and what will be, will be. It has all the makings of being the fight of the night, and there’s definitely going to be fireworks. A great fight for the fans.”
“Ryan can’t look too far ahead because anything can happen in boxing, and he has to get through Saturday’s fight at the Warehouse to get to the big prize,” said VIP Promotions’ Steve Wood. “We sometimes talk in boxing about competitive fights not happening, but Doyle versus Lowe is a genuine 50-50 between two of the best featherweights in the country. It will be a brilliant fight, no doubt, but Ryan has to get through this next one first.”
VIP Promotions presents Blackpool’s Jack Arnfield versus Peterborough’s Cello Renda in a British middleweight title eliminator at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on October 24.
Also appearing will be Manchester’s Ryan ‘Ruthless’ Doyle; Blackburn’s Morgan Jackson; Salford’s Luke Evans; Lancaster’s Tomi Tatham; New Moston’s Chris Conwell; Oldham’s Andy Kremner; and Middleton’s Aaron Michael.
Tickets priced at £30 (general), £50 (ringside) are available from all boxers, or at vipboxing.tv and Eventim.co.uk
Doors open at 7pm; boxing starts at 7.30pm.
The show will also be streamed live and free at vipboxing.tv
