Carter’s gym closes in on Lonsdale Belts

Gully Powar….his stock rose in Riyadh. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

THE possibility of Richard Carter’s bustling Wolverhampton gym producing a British champ grows stronger with each month.

And in the immediate future, there could be not just one holder of the coveted Lonsdale Belt, but two.

At present, the weight of expectation rests on the shoulders of Gully Powar and Ollie Cooper, but there are others waiting in the wings – plenty of others.

Teenager Callum Seedhouse, for example, looks one for the future.

“Of course, they’ve got to be given their opportunities,” said Carter, “but it’s not bad after three-and-a-half years.”

Manager Errol Johnson is pushing for Powar, a Wolverhampton bundle of educated fighting fury, to be made mandatory challenger for the British featherweight title.

That’s reward for his superb performance against world ranked Mexican puncher Brandon Mejia Mosqueda last time out. Fighting in the Riyadh based WBC Grand Prix tournament, the 22-year-old tasted defeat for the first time, but gave Mosqueda the toughest fight of his career.

“We’re looking to get Gully back out as soon as possible and get him a win,” said Carter. “Errol wants him mandatory for the British. He’s a handful for anybody, I have high hopes.”

Ollie Cooper…edging close to British title. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

Tall, unbeaten super-middle Cooper, from Cannock, boxes this Saturday. After that there’s a September defence of his Midlands title against Tom Ramsden. After that, he and Carter are gunning for the British.

“Ollie’s another level,” said Carter. “If someone comes to take the fight to Ollie, he’s very destructive.”

Others at the gym are lined-up for title action.

Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, one of the game’s larger-than-life characters, is scheduled to face Liam Gould for the Midlands welter belt at the Hangar, Wolverhampton, on September 19.

“Jimmy’s” itching to make a statement after losing his last two contests on big, televised shows. Those were the first setbacks after 11 straight wins.

For the veteran, age is merely a number.

“I know he’s 36,” said Carter, “but he still has a lot left in his tank, he’s as fit as an 18-year-old. He puts the graft in, he never shies away from a challenge.

Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards…Midlands title. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

“He wants to rectify what happened in the last couple of fights. He’s still ticking all the boxes and, with him, it’s about how long he wants to carry on.”

Walsall feather Lewis Morris, another boxer with big show experience, completes the title pack. Carter is keen on a Midlands championship rematch with Ryan Griffiths.

Last year, the pair produced a 10 round, Black Country cracker won narrowly on points by Griffiths.