‘I’m a mercenary now,’ says Ryan Walsh after obliterating Reece Mould

Ryan Walsh travelled to Sheffield intent on finding a war. He ended up producing his most destructive performance for years. 

On Friday night, Walsh, 29-4-2 (13 KOs), blew through Reece Mould, 18-3 (6 KOs), dropping him three times and stopping him within two minutes of the opening round on GBM’s latest show.

It was a stunning performance from a fighter now 38 years old who enjoyed a long reign as British featherweight champion but has been scratching around for an opportunity since losing to Maxi Hughes two and a half years ago.

Now a lightweight, Walsh took great offense at Mould’s pre-fight prediction that he would knock him out and pledged to punish him. 

He certainly did that. Last November, Mould was extremely unlucky to drop a split decision to the highly rated Gary Cully but Walsh took the younger man apart in conclusive fashion. He has rarely looked better and the manner of the victory should earn him another, higher profile opportunity.

“I just wish I could fight more. That’s the top and bottom of it. I’ve been waiting to do this. My last fight was in a small dinner hall in Norwich. I’m not saying I’m better than that but if you want me to shine, put me under some big lights and I’ll shine,” he said.

“We kept looking back to my debut. My debut lasted 21 seconds. You get that version of me and anything can happen. He landed the best first shot, he jabbed me straight in the eye. I thought, ‘Nice one.’ Liam [Walsh’s brother] had been telling me to dictate with the jab but I thought, ‘Fucking hell, I’m already losing the jab.’ We’d talked about a counter and I think I’m quite fast. That was what changed the fight, my speed. If I just believe the results come from that. I’m lost for words to be honest. I’m not one to get tongue tied.”

Walsh describes himself as the owner and C.E.O of the Who Needs Him Club and he has waited patiently for an opportunity. He has been linked to fights with Henry Turner at junior welterweight and has made no bones about his desire to win the British lightweight title and claim a Lonsdale Belt at a second weight. Before his destruction of Mould, many would have wondered if, at 38, Walsh possessed the ability to challenge the younger generation but, over the years, he has never wavered in his belief that he has one more title run left in him. On Friday night, he proved himself. 

“I watched [Erislandy] Lara at 41 years old fighting at the highest level a week ago. B-Hop, 40 odd. I’ve got that because I’ve lived like a monk my whole life. I’ve very little amateur experience – under 30 – and very little pro experience – although in this case I had a lot – and it’s activity. Tell me to get ready for another fight now and I’m ready. I was really light tonight. I came in the ring at 10 stone 3lbs and there’s not another lightweight in the world doing that,” he said. 

“I wanna be part of the Riyadh Season and get paid. I’m glad I got the bonus, it’s a little bit less than my last bonus. If you’ve got any lightweights, I’m a mercenary now. I’ve got gloves, I’ll travel.”