New champ Bowen’s eyeing English title

Aaron Bowen…wants to take the traditional championship route

COVENTRY boxing continues to ride the crest of a wave after Aaron Bowen captured his first professional title on Saturday night.

The crowd-pleasing Coundon fighter punched out a lopsided points win over Midlands super-middleweight champ Klinton Baptiste – and now looks for more significant silverware.

On Matchroom’s big Utilita Arena, Birmingham bill, Bowen dominated the Northampton champ, belting him with heavy right hands on the way to a unanimous decision.

Baptiste, taking part in his sixth pro contest, showed courage to last the course against an opponent he’s sparred on many occasions, ending the 10 rounder with his left eye badly swollen.

It was his grit that made the clash thoroughly entertaining.

That’s 27-year-old Bowen’s ninth win in 10 outings, the sole loss coming by a narrow split verdict against Tom Cowling. With the Midlands middleweight on the line that night, the pair uncorked an epic, but that’s what Bowen does.

He’s an exciting, aggressive fighter with an army of supporters. The former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist gives value for money – and then some.

I always pondered how Bowen squeezed his long, 6ft 3ins frame into the middleweight division. He certainly looks more robust, a more complete fighting man at 12st. He’s also less gung-ho and more measured in his approach.

It’s been a long time since Coventry fight fans had it this good: Bowen, Bradley Goldsmith and Jamie Edwards all have title and are all making headlines.

Bowen, aged 27, is now gunning for more belts. He told Fortune Favours Productions after beating Baptiste: “It was what I expected. I knew he was going to be awkward, I knew he was going to be tricky.

“It was exactly how we thought the fight would go, but it’s a lot harder in the ring in front of your family and friends than it is in sparring. Lessons learned that I’ll take into the next fight.

“He is a good fighter, he was unbeaten.”

Bowen, a product of famed Triumph amateur boxing club, has a clear blueprint for future glory. He added: “I’d like to do the English title, the British, Commonwealth and European. I’d like to do every step, take the traditional route and just keep winning, keep learning and enjoying it.

“Every fight is a challenge, but I’d like to aim for an English title next. You can’t look too far – there are so many lads in my weight who are very good. Let’s all battle it out and see who comes out on top.”

At 36, this was Baptiste’s big break and he ended it bruised and beaten. “It was a tough fight for me and him,” he said. “We were actually sparring partners, so we knew each other well. I should’ve pressed the action more, I didn’t throw enough back-hands. Live and learn.

“His jab was better than I realised in the ring. Because he’s moved up in weight, he’s stronger. The plan was to beat him, then fight for the English title – that’s not happening no more. I have to go back and re-build.”

For Bowen, the future looks very bright, crammed with more arena shows and memorable battles.