Wade number two in nation

Gunnedah’s Wade Ryan was victorious after a 10-round decision clinched him the WBO Oriental, IBF Pan Pacific Super Welterweight Title on the weekend.

On paper Ryan went into the fight as the underdog, his opponent, Russian champion Sergey Vorobiev holds an impressive 19-fight, 18-win card, which would intimidate most, but not the 33-year-old from the bush.

The local boxer had a “great fight” according to his trainer, Dave Syphers. There had been a lot of preparation leading up to the fight including travelling to Sydney each weekend to spar with the best in the nation, “so we were confident going into the ring”.

Vorobiev started the first round showing his immense strength, but after the first few jabs Ryan found his feet and was on the attack, “we knew Vorobiev had a lot of power, but Wade went in too smart and too fast,” Syphers said.

“You never think you have the fight won until it’s over, but we could see Wade was on top of it after the second round. The Russian would have a good moment, Wade would then have two.”

Ryan with his left hooks, and lightning speed, started to dominate the ring, outboxing his opponent to take the win after 10 rounds.

“We were thrilled”, Syphers said.

“We’re starting to see what a calibre of fighter Wade is, so we expected to see the quality of fight that he had.”

The win has taken Ryan to number two on the Australian ranks, and number 19 in the world. The current Australian number 1, Tim Tszyu has been reported saying that “fighting Wade was one of the toughest fights” he has ever had.

Trainer Dave Syphers is excited for what the future holds for Ryan.

“We are in negotiations of a signature deal with a world-class manager for both Wade and Albert Nolan. It is exciting times for our Gunnedah boxers,” he said.

Ryan has no immediate plans for his next fight card, although will continue with his rigorous training routine keeping fit and at the ready to retain his title when it arises.