‘I’m Well Able to Swim’ – Peter Carr Embracing the Deep End Ahead of Donovan Clash

The deep end is only scary if you can’t swim, says Peter Carr.

‘The Devil’ insists he has no interest in taking the easy route as he prepares for another tough domestic assignment against Edward Donovan at Dublin’s National Stadium on Saturday night.

Carr comes into the Limerick versus Dublin clash having cemented his reputation as one of Irish boxing’s most willing competitors following his thrilling encounter with Paul Ryan last time out.

Their battle was one of the best domestic middleweight clashes in Irish-boxing history, which the former kickboxer standout ultimately lost.

Reflecting Carr, who didn’t want any gimme comebacks, admits he has been left with mixed emotions proud of the performance but hurt by the result.

“I look back as proud as anything, because I showed I belong in there,” said Carr when speaking to Irish-boxing.com ahead of his Judgement Day bout.

“And I look back very annoyed and upset with myself. If I kept me hands up and moved me head, the fight could have been different. I should of done that instead of fighting with my emotions.”

As such, there is one lesson that the big puncher took from the Irish title fight.

“Keep me f**king hands up and move me head!”

Despite the disappointment, the Ryan fight only strengthened Carr’s belief that he belongs at the highest level of domestic competition.

The 26-year-old, who has shared the ring with Daniel O’Sullivan as well as Sean Murray in a relatively young career, has become accustomed to being thrown into difficult assignments, and rather than complain about the matchmaking, the Crumlin-trained fighter sees it as an opportunity to prove himself.

“From what I see and hear, I’m probably the only one that doesn’t pick or choose my fights,” he explained.

“I just get a text to see if I’m free and that they have this fight for you. Sometimes it feels like I just get thrown into the deep end, but that’s no worries with me because I’m able to swim!

“I’d rather get to the top the hard way, not the easy way,” he continues.

“I’m not like everyone else. I’m here to fight everyone and anyone. I’d rather go down as one of the bravest, not someone getting baby-fed!”

That mentality will be tested again on Saturday when he faces former underage amateur starlet Donovan, who also has professional domestic experience, in what promises to be another intriguing all-Irish encounter.

“Edward is good, don’t get me wrong,” said Carr.

“I seen an interview of him talking about me and I really think he is underestimating me, but that’s good with me. I’m not the one that will get a shock when I get hit. I know what to expect and I know what to do to get the job done.”

Carr isn’t making any grand predictions about what comes next, but his confidence in his own ability remains unwavering.

“God only knows, but I have full belief in myself,” he said.

“And I believe hard work beats talent!”

Promoter Jay Byrne has suggested the victor of the eagerly anticipated bout may get a repeat with Ryan and at title level, something Carr is happy to hear.

“As I said I’m just a call away. Let me know where and when!”