Peter McGrail to face Rhys Edwards after McCann drug test failure

Peter McGrail says he stayed focused, and is ready for his new opponent on Saturday.

Peter McGrail has a new opponent and has kept his spot on Saturday’s Usyk vs Fury 2 card, with undefeated Rhys Edwards stepping in to replace Dennis McCann, who failed a VADA drug test last week.

McGrail (10-1, 6 KO) looks to make it three straight wins following a shock upset loss to Ja’Rico O’Quinn a year ago, and says he didn’t let up in preparation while waiting for a new opponent.

“Fight plans change. We just remained focused,” McGrail said. “I had belief [the promoters and organizers] that they were going to get a replacement and that’s what happened. I stayed focused on the job. The job remains the same. I’m coming for the big performance on Saturday.”

The 28-year-old McGrail was a celebrated amateur and has done well as a pro besides getting caught and knocked out by O’Quinn in the fifth round last year in Arizona, a fight that McGrail had been dominating through four rounds, including dropping O’Quinn twice.

A rematch between the two was planned but never happened, and in fact, O’Quinn has not fought since. McGrail, meanwhile, has scored solid, domestic-level wins over Marc Leach and Brad Foster this year.

Edwards (16-0, 4 KO) is a 24-year-old Welsh fighter who had been training to face Leon Woodstock in mid-January, so he’s been in camp. He’s coming off of his own solid pair of victories, beating the aforementioned Brad Foster in Nov. 2023 and Thomas Patrick Ward earlier this year.

He’ll be upset-minded in a surprise big opportunity this Saturday, with McGrail looking to keep himself back on track toward possible world title opportunities in the not too distant future.