Told you so - Gully to get British title shot!

Gully Powar…will fight Rhys Edwards for belt. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

YOU read it here first…

Only days after I revealed Wolverhampton featherweight Gully Powar was awaiting a British title call, the call came.

I also correctly predicted the opponent he’ll face for the Lonsdale Belt.

The British Board of Control have called for BCB promoted Gully to face former outstanding Welsh amateur Rhys Edwards for the vacant 9st title. Edwards, from Tonypandy, has lost only one of 18 and that came on points against future star Peter McGrail who campaigns in the weight division above.

The title 12 rounder is now out for purse bids, which must be submitted to the Board by September 10.

Gully’s trainer Richard Carter has no doubt the 23-year-old will grasp the opportunity with both hands. “I think he’ll do a number on him,” he said.

“Edwards is technically good. I watched him fight Brad Foster at Wolverhampton Civic Hall (close to two years ago) and thought Brad just nicked it.”

So did this writer.

“I watched him fight Thomas Essomba last time out. Essomba’s a good fighter, but Gully’s a better one.”

Make no mistake, 23-year-old Powar has got his chance through taking the gamble of competing in Riyadh’s Grand Prix tournament, a knockout competition involving some of the best prospects in the world.

It could’ve gone horribly wrong, but Gully’s stock soared. He boxed superbly to outpoint Californian Japhethlee Llamido. He gave world ranked Mexican Brandon Mosqueda the hardest fight of his explosive career.

Mosqueda – being groomed as the new Canelo – had won all nine of his bouts by stoppage, but had to settle for points against Powar. That is the only defeat on Gully’s 14 fight CV.

Of the Grand Prix gamble, Carter said: “That was my plan all along. The local fighters are not in the privileged position of fighters on a top platform, Black Country fighters have to work a bit harder.

“When opportunities come along, they have to take them. They are all fighting for that same spot.

“I was confident in Gully’s ability, I knew he’d make a name for himself.”

Carter added: “There’s a lot more to come from Gully. He’s an old-school throwback fighter – he’ll take one to land one, he throws punches in bunches.

“He hasn’t clicked with the general public yet. When they do click into him, he’ll do really well.”