There will be no chance of Andy Owen taking his foot off the gas when the sequel comes along to his smashing introduction as a professional.
Owen laces up the gloves again for his second paid outing, with one early finish already under his belt from his impressive paid bow in June.
He features when pro boxing returns to the Stadium Suite at Walsall FC’s the Banks’s Stadium on the Sunday afternoon of September 12, for the first time in 19 months
The Fightzone cameras were rolling, in the car park at the Sheffield Arena, when Wolverhampton’s Owen last stepped through the ropes for an outdoor contest.
The Perton-based slugger caught the eye of the audience, along with star boxer-commentators Dave Allen and Anthony Crolla, through a blistering display.
Owen’s onslaught caught up with Ryan Hibbert, by the end of round two, who had been down and left bloodied by a fierce right uppercut. Hibbert duly didn’t come out for the third.
That victory put Richie Carter’s Pro Boxing Stable on the map, with ex-pro Carter in the corner after leading a professional into battle for the first time.
They have been aligned together for over 10 years, with Owen learning his craft under Carter, as an amateur, until the two both started coaching together.
Owen can be found most evenings either training or working with Carter’s other fighters, amateur and professional, at Wolverhampton Boxing Club.
At the age of 34, Owen is only too aware he doesn’t have time on his side, so he’s determined to accelerate his progress through the light heavyweight division.
He said: “I can’t wait. I wanted to get on a home show, as soon as I could, so I’m buzzing to be involved and I want to make the most of it.
“I was straight back in the gym, after my last fight, and I picked my training up as soon as I got this date. I’m always there and ready when the call comes.
“My debut was a great experience and I’m expecting a brilliant atmosphere for this one, in front of a good crowd. I’ll go out there, lap it up and get to work.
“I’d, obviously, like to pick up more stoppages and they will come along, because of my fighting style. My last opponent was game, but I knew I was going to get him out of there.
“I caught him with a couple of big shots early on and I felt his nose go in the second. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to continue.
“I’m always coming forward, so inside work is my strength and I won’t take a backward step. I throw a lot of punches and like to put on the pressure.
“Hopefully, it will pay off for me again and I can get the win I’m looking for, along with putting on an exciting performance. I’ve done it once (as a pro), I can do it again.”
There are more local boxers among the other five of the six who will appear in the home corner at the Stadium Suite that day.
Walsall’s own Levi Ferguson, a two-time Midlands welterweight title challenger, is the most experienced of them and has twice seen the finish with the area crown on the line.
Kaisee Benjamin and Conah Walker thwarted his efforts to claim the belt on those occasions, leaving Ferguson determined to redress the balance.
He had reeled off five points successes since the start of his pro career three years ago and, at the age of 26, has plenty of time to rebuild his record.
Ryan Woolridge will become the first graduate from Great Wyrley Boxing Club to turn pro, joining the super welter division. Woolridge, nicknamed ‘Rhino,’ is also from Walsall.
Ethan Collins is another boxer on a maiden voyage into the pro code, entering at welter, and will be making the short trip to the Stadium Suite from Dudley.
Collins has a good grounding, having been trained by former professional boxing champion Darren McDermott as an amateur.
He’s also studied the Boxing Education Diploma in Sporting Excellence at the University College Birmingham, the only course of its type in the Midlands.
Bradley Thompson’s amateur exploits precede him, as a three-time national titleist who boxed for England, winning a silver medal at the 2017 Junior Three Nations tournament.
He claimed England Junior titles in two consecutive years and added England Youth honours, finishing on 81 amateur contests with 66 victories for Donnington Boxing Club.
The 19-year-old flyweight, from Telford, already has one pro victory under his belt, too, dropping Steven Maguire on route to a fourth round TKO in May.
Tom Brennan, from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, has three pro bouts of experience as a super welter and is looking to get back to winning ways.
Brennan, 29, made his paid now in 2019 with a points win over Mac Pemhiwa, but suffered over-the-distance losses to Paul Kean and Michael Hennessy Jr during 2020.
Both of his defeats came after a step up to six rounds, with just a point between him and Hennessy at the final bell when they clashed on a Channel 5 televised card last August.
Tickets for the Stadium Suite bill are now on sale, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, and can be purchased by calling the BCB Box Office on 07493 582 261.
