Bell rings for George Peacock’s pro debut

Barnard Castle boxer George Peacock will make his debut as a professional fighter next month.

The 21-year-old has huge potential and has built up a formidable reputation on the amateur circuit.

And now the Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club fighter is ready to take the next step on the ladder to regional and national success.

His first pro fight will be a super-welterweight bout at Rainton Arena, at Haughton-le-Spring, on Saturday, October 31.

His opponent has yet to be confirmed.

On the day the date was confirmed, George said: “It’s been a long road to get to this point, but this is the beginning of a new chapter and, hopefully, something very special.

“The amount of support I’ve already received has been absolutely overwhelming and I can’t thank everyone enough.

“I genuinely can’t wait to start this next chapter of my career.”

George joined Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club, which is based at Stainton Grove, when he was ten-years-old.

He took to the sport straight away and has proved to be a dedicated and talented amateur with an exceptional record, winning his first national youth title in 2023.

“We started thinking about going professional around April time,” George told the Mercury.

“I’d done my apprenticeship in the amateurs, I’d had 60-odd fights and was struggling to find opponents.

“I won around 43-44 of those fights and anything over a 50-50 record is seen as good in the amateurs.

“I’ve boxed everyone at that level, I’ve never said no to a fight and it’s made me what I am.”

He might be turning pro but George can’t give up the day job just yet and has to fit in a gruelling training regime around his apprenticeship at Ineos, in Newton Aycliffe.

“I’m dedicating everything to my boxing at the moment,” said George, who said his parents Denise and Michael Peacock have been a constant source of support and he also paid tribute to his coaches at Barnard Castle ABC.

“The gym has been unbelievable for me, I came here when I was ten years old when my dad brought me and I loved it from the start.”

It’s early days but George hopes to achieve great things in boxing and, outlining his long-term ambitions, he said: “I’d love to get a northern area title and then you are on to English titles, British titles and stuff like that.”

Pro-am coach Craig Harrison puts in countless hours training young boxers at the club’s Stainton Grove HQ and he’s delighted to see George turning pro.

“It’s great that these lads have a platform beyond the amateurs now that we are a pro-am gym,” he said.

“There’s no reason why we can’t do as well in the professional game as we do in amateurs – it’s something all our amateurs can now aspire to be.”

George is always on the lookout for sponsors and anyone wishing to help can call him on 07444 634572 or his dad Michael on 07801 634670.