It has been a busy few months for Gunnedah’s Wade Ryan who is fresh off an impressive performance in Sydney. 

Ryan has taken the domestic boxing scene by storm claiming his fourth victory in a span of 11 months with a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Japan’s Nath Nwachukwu at the Qudos Bank Arena in November. 

The win has seen the 31-year-old known as The Boogeyman catapult up the International Boxing Organisation’s rankings and he currently sits at number 45 in the world in the super-welterweight rankings on BoxRec. 

The Boogeyman is the current IBO international super-welterweight champion and is eyeing a shot at the vacant world title belt which was formerly held by Erislandy Lara.  

Speaking to the Gunnedah Times at the Black N Blue boxing gym, Ryan’s long-term trainer David (Spike) Syphers is confident about his boxer’s chances at fighting for a world title shot in the near future. 

“We’re training for Wade’s upcoming fight on March 3,” Syphers said. 

“This fight will be a world title eliminator which is 12 rounds, so if Wade wins this fight, he will be mandatory to fight for the IBO world title.” 

Tasked with finding an appropriate opponent to face, Syphers admitted his team must choose a high-ranked opponent. 

With talent at the super-welterweight division across the country and the world, a fighter like Dennis Hogan who has fought for a world title on two occasions, could be the best possible choice. 

The Irishman who now calls Queensland home, is ranked 18th on the BoxRec rankings and is number one in Ireland. 

Before fighting for the World Boxing Organisation’s super-welterweight world title against Jamie Munguia in April 2019, Hogan boasted a record of 28 wins, one loss and one draw. 

In a majority decision loss to Mexico’s Munguia, many pundits from around the world believed the Irishman did enough to take the victory. So much so, he was given another title shot at Jermall Charlo’s World Boxing Council’s middleweight title in his next fight. 

He lost by TKO in Brooklyn, New York, which then saw Hogan take two years off fighting, returning to the ring against Ryan’s former opponent, Tim Tszyu. 

After Ryan fought off a tough Koen Mazoudier, winning by a 10th round TKO, Hogan succumbed for his third loss in a row. Tszyu battered the Irishman in front of a sold out crowd at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. 

It will be interesting to see who Ryan will face in March, but one thing is for certain, he is ready to fight whoever and wherever. 

Without any confirmation on the opponent, Syphers said Hogan is the fighter they are looking at for March 3. 

Having returned to full-training at the Black N Blue gym in Gunnedah, Ryan has impressed Syphers as the pair begin to step up the intensity of their sessions. 

“Everything is going really well, Wade’s power is excellent,” Syphers said. 

“In his last fight against Nath, I don’t think he lost a round, he did everything right, it’s that simple. 

“His defence and attack was really good. His power was on another level and he punched when he had to and he was careful.  

“Now we’re training accordingly and every fight is just another step towards a world title.” 

An announcement about Ryan’s opponent will be made in the coming weeks and whether Ryan faces Hogan or another top-ranked boxer, it must not be missed.

To order photos from this page click here