Powar to fight for the British title in Wolves
Powar…return with Edwards at Aldersley Stadium. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB
WOLVERHAMPTON whirlwind Gully Powar will fight for the British featherweight title in his home city.
The Sikh sensation’s rematch with Rhys Edwards – the pair fought a 12 round draw for the Lonsdale Belt in April – will take place at Aldersley Stadium on September 5 after Gully’s promoters BCB won the purse bids. In a fight like this, home advantage could be a huge advantage. Powar started an underdog in the first fight, he’ll probably be a slight favourite for the return.
And this time Powar has vowed to take matters out of the hands of the judges. “Next time I’m looking to stop him,” the 23-year-old told me. “I’m very confident in my ability.
“I’m building on my strength, I’m looking to make a big statement.”
Last time, Powar had to fight on Welshman Edwards’ own turf: the pair faced each other on a Boxxer promotion in Cardiff.
And when the dust had settled on a gripping, all-action encounter honours were even, 115-114 for Gully, followed by two 114-114 scores – a decision that both baffled and infuriated Powar and his team in equal measure.
Trainer Richie Carter told me the following day: “I’m just dumbfounded. I had it 8-4 (in rounds), “7-5 at the very worst. I’m baffled by it.
“I’m dumbfounded, absolutely dumfounded,” Carter repeated. “Afterwards, a coach with maybe 50 Welsh couples stopped at our hotel and every one of them shook Gully’s hand, wanted photos and many of them apologised for what had happened.”
I’ve watched the 12 rounder back and believe it was a very close bout. Carter’s possibly dumbfounded by that, too.
Edwards was a fine amateur who has lost only one of 19 as a pro. He’s more textbook than TNT puncher and possesses an upright style.
Powar is the human buzzsaw who simply never stops slinging shots: the man has a mighty engine. He’s lost only one of 15 – and that came against Mexican powerhouse Brandon Mosqueda in the high-profile WBC Grand Prix tournament staged in Riyadh.
Mosqueda, who went on to win the whole thing, was given by far his sternest test of the event by Gully.
One thing’s for sure: Powar, a man with a huge global Sikh fanbase, will enjoy noisy support at Aldersley Stadium. Edwards will first be hit by a wall of sound, then that blizzard of blows. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I sell 400 or 500 tickets,” Gully told me.
“Last time was my first 12 rounder and I think people were confused by that. A lot of pressure has been take off me because I’ve now done 12 rounds and when I did it I looked like I’d done it before.
“I showed I have a different type of gas tank. He’s a very good fighter, he has a very good pedigree, he comes from a good team. He’s coming to win, but I’m going to win. I’ve got nothing against him, it’s just business. It’s time to start stopping people. Last time, I really put pressure on him in the late rounds, this time I’ll do it from round one.”
I may have, in the past, misjudged Carter’s boxers Ollie Cooper and Powar who are both on the cusp of big things. I watched super-middle Cooper’s early bouts and felt there was a lack of focus. I watched Powar pour punches on admittedly heavier opposition without denting them and pondered how he’d get on against better men over longer distances.
Carter always insisted the step-up would see them shine. That appears to be the case.
Powar has absolutely no doubt he’ll win a world title, that is his destiny.
“I’m the dark horse,” he said, “I’m one of those fighters. I’m sparring top people and learned what level I’m really at. I’m 23, I’m improving all the time and once I’ve won the British title I’m looking for the other belts.”