This Saturday, May 26th, Reagan Dessaix (13-1, 9KO’s) and Peter Ato Ricketts (17-2, 11KO’s) will be squaring off for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania Light Heavyweight Title at Seagulls Rugby League Club in Tweed Heads, Australia.
Both fighters took some time for a little Q&A in the lead up to their fight for the WBA Oceania Title, so that boxing fans unfamiliar with them could get to know the two light heavyweights from different continents challenging for the QBA regional title:
Reagan Dessaix
Q: Are you excited to fight for the Oceania WBA title? Was this a goal of yours?
A: This is probably the most excited I’ve been for a fight, but a good excited where I know there is a big job ahead this Saturday night, that I have to keep calm, relaxed, and stay focused so I can perfect the job come Saturday night! This has definitely been a goal to capture this prestigious title which has been held by some great champions over the past years.
Q: What do you know about your opponent – have you studied him?
A: This preparation we’ve had trouble finding any kind of footage of Ricketts, but we’ve tracked a source who has seen him fight many times in Ghana before. We’ve put a good game plan together and I know I have prepared myself the best I could have in the lead up to this fight, so we’re coming into the fight very confident and switched on ready to go at the same time.
Q: What is your best win to date and why?
A: Probably my last fight against the tough Japanese opponent – Shintaro Mastomoto. Our team had a smart game plan from the start and I felt I executed it nicely on the night to capture the victory. Not only for myself but was also great to do it on such a big occasion in front of my family, friends, and amazing supporters!
Q: What did you learn from your lone loss? Were you injured or did you have any external issues happening that contributed to the loss?
A: That was probably one of the fights I learned the most from in the pro ranks due to it being the night I got beat. I had a slow start and got caught early with a shot I didn’t expect. Credit to my opponent on the night for taking the opportunity while it was there. I still hope to catch up with him in the near future for a rematch. I beat him in the amateurs and now he has beaten me in the pros. It’s 1 – 1 so nothing wrong with fighting it out in a rubber match! That was the last time I ever made super-middleweight in my life and it was a hard cut down especially in the final few days. I sure felt it, from dropping too much weight down to 76.2kgs. It was not a good natural weight to fight at and I sure felt it on the night from the get go. You learn from your mistakes and since I’ve fought back up at my natural weight of light-heavyweight I am yet to be defeated.
Q: What is your long term goal in boxing?
A: I have many long term goals in boxing but like any childhood dream and ultimate goal, it would be to win and hold a world title strap above my head one day. I feel that I have the best team behind me, supporting me, to help me achieve that goal one day in the near future!
Q: What do you predict for 5/26?
A: Firstly I’m predicting a great night of boxing for Boxing Mania 2. Being the main event of this action packed card of boxing is an absolute honor! I’m predicting an entertaining action packed fight against Ricketts, but I’m 110% predicting that I will be going home with the belt come Saturday night! I want to put on a performance everyone remembers.
Peter Ato Ricketts
Q: Are you excited to fight for the Oceania WBA title? Was this a goal of yours?
A: Yes! I’m excited to fight for Oceania title as it is a top recognized international title. My desire is to get such opportunity for exposure on the international platform.
Q: How do you feel fighting outside the country for the first time?
A: Fighting outside my home country Ghana for the first time, I feel so good and excited.
Q: What is your best win to date and why?
A: My best win is against Stephen Abbey on Sept 10, 2013. The fight was full of tension and action packed but I came out victorious.
Q: Why did you have such a long layoff after your professional debut?
A: The loss of the debut nearly caused me to quit boxing. After a while, after receiving some pep talks of encouragement, I plunged into serious training and prepared very well before having my second pro fight.
Q: What is your long term goal in boxing?
A: My long term goal is to become a World Champion.
Q: What do you predict for 5/26?
A: l’m in to give a good fight on May 26 and win.
