Andy Owen reckons he will be a ‘real handful’ in the super middleweight division when he returns to action from injury.
Owen is fully fit and ready to feature as part of BCB Promotions’ show in Wolverhampton, at the Hangar Events Venue (Pearson Street), for Friday’s fight night on February 18.
He was due to box at the Hangar in December, but was pulled from the line-up after suffering a knee injury, curtailing an appearance in his backyard.
The 34-year-old, who lives in Perton, had got back to winning ways the month before, completing four pro rounds for the first time.
It also saw him slimmed to super middle, where he plans to campaign going forward, after initially starting out at light heavyweight.
Owen controlled proceedings in a points whitewash over Kearon Thomas, earning a 40-36 scoreline, at the same venue where he’d been beaten in September.
It was a far happier experience in the Stadium Suite, at Walsall Football Club’s Banks’s Stadium, than his second round TKO defeat to Norbert Szekeres.
A lapse in concentration led to him being stopped by the unfancied Hungarian, who took his ‘0’ when the referee waved the contest off, shortly after a knockdown.
Owen now has two victories and one loss on his pro record, after debuting with a two-round blowout of Ryan Hibbert, who retired on his stool after being dropped and bloodied.
His fourth outing has been delayed, but he’s undergone a six-week training camp at Wolverhampton Boxing Club, under the watchful eye of coach Richie Carter.
This undertaking of a competitive affair is for just the 10th time, after six bouts of amateur experience where he also only failed to win once.
Owen said: “My knee is fine now, but it was six weeks out for me. It was an MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) tear that happened when I was out running.
“Hence, I couldn’t box at the Hangar in December, but I’m buzzing just thinking about getting the chance now. It’s a real home fight for me, I’m a Wolverhampton lad through and through.
“I’m probably looking forward to this one the most, of my pro fights so far, because of that. This is a real big one for me and I’ve been working hard in the gym.
“I’ve had highs and lows, so far in my career, and it was good to get back to winning ways last time out. I felt I did everything right, on the night, and got the job done.
“I’d never done the full four rounds before, as a pro, so it was useful to get that one ticked off, although my style is to put on pressure and try to force a stoppage.
“I still think I’m a better fighter for the loss that I’ve had, I’ve learned from that mistake and I’ve been switched on ever since. It also convinced me to drop down from light heavyweight.
“I feel so much stronger at super middle, I make it well and I’m big for the weight, so I won’t be going back up. I just want to be pushing on now.
“I didn’t turn pro until I was 34, but I think I’ve got, at least, another couple of years left in me. It’s not like I had a long amateur career, so I haven’t got that many miles on the clock.
“I still feel fresh and I’m determined to keep notching the wins, maybe even look towards a Midlands title one day. As long as I stay focussed, I’m a handful for anyone.”
Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
