Benelux Champ Peynaud Going For Next Level

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October 20, 2016 / BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

Peynaud, originally from France but now fighting out of Luxembourg, got a horrendous start to his journey towards becoming a champion. In his first six fights, between March 2011 and May 2012, he went 1-3-2 and appeared to be headed nowhere.

A June 2012 draw with Jean Moraiti, who later won the WBF International Super Lightweight title and challenged for the UBO Inter-Continental crown, could have signaled a turning point, but for various reasons it would turn out to be his last fight in over three years.

He returned in November of 2015 in Dudelange, stopping journeyman Benoit Hell in two rounds, and seven months later he was given a massive, but difficult, opportunity when he was matched with 10-3-2 Mohamed Sder for the Luxembourg and Benelux titles.

Unexpectedly, Paynaud schooled the favorite and scored a lopsided unanimous decision to become champion and improve his record to a modest 3-3-3 (1). So, having already achieved more than many would have thought, he is now ready to take the next step.

His opponent on November 5 will be experienced Georgian Mikheil Gogebashvili. While Peynaud will be entering his tenth pro outing, Gogebashvili will be stepping through the ropes for the thirtieth time in a 15-14 (5) career that began in 2006.

Gogebashvili, like Peynaud still only thirty years old, is also enjoying a nice run, after going through a few rough patches. He has won his last four fights convincingly, and even managed to stop his two most recent foes.

It will be an interesting match-up between two former underdogs turned contenders, and it remains to be seen who can continue his climb.