Bowen: this fight will bring best out of me

Aaron Bowen faces the cameras at yesterday’s press conference

THERE’S a lot to like about Aaron Bowen, the former star amateur now making waves as a pro.

First and foremost, the Coventry 24-year-old wants to be dragged into the trenches, he wants to give the public thrilling bouts.

Too many pros seek to pad their records with meaningless victories before being tested. Super-middle Aaron wants to be thrown into the deep end and discover if he can swim or sink. As the man himself put it: “It’s about finding out if I’m good enough or not.”

Trained by Shiney Singh, Aaron appears to have had his wish granted on Saturday’s major Matchroom show at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.

The “Nxt Gen” bill, streamed on DAZN, sees the Commonwealth Games medallist face  Colombian Wilmer Baron.

Baron has lost one of seven. He’d stopped five of six before coming to this country in April. Boris Crighton, known to West Midlands fans for his points loss to Steed Woodall in Poland, gained a six round points decision. Crighton is heavy handed and no slouch.

If nothing else, the stats show Baron can bang and has ambition. Expect fireworks.

Aaron at the Grand Hotel with Shiney Singh

To date, Bowen has given a good account of himself inside the ropes. At yesterday’s (Thursday’s) press conference for the bout – staged at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel – he faced the cameras with the assurance of a champion. He gave a good account of himself outside the ropes.

“I’ve got a tough, capable opponent,” he said from the top table, “but I think his style will gel with mine better. It doesn’t look like he’ll take a backward step, so it should be a good fight for the fans.

“I think the fight is going to bring the best out of me. I’ve sold over 300 tickets, I’ve got the bit between my teeth. I think this one could steal fight of the night.”

Aaron added: “One step at a time, I’m excited about the journey.”

Bowen is right: while it lasts, it’ll be explosive.