Gully beats Mexican in cracking contest
Powar and the glory…Gully showed superb work to the body
GULLY Powar – a human buzzsaw in the ring – was made to work for every second of his all-action battle with brave and determined Hector Avila Lozano last night (Friday).
The pair served up a four-round cracker at Wolverhampton’s Hangar venue, with Lozano simply refusing to be overwhelmed as rib-bending hooks smashed against his abused body.
Powar, from Wolverhampton, took every session for a 40-36 decision, but this was far from one-way traffic.
Mexico has a reputation for producing tough warriors and Lozano, who now sports a 1-3-1, upheld the glorious tradition.
He elected to fight fire with fire and, at times, the pair blazed leather in ring centre.
Fans are beginning to get excited about 20-year-old Powar and I can see why. The Wolverhampton feather is like a violent Duracell bunny between the ropes, throwing an endless storm of leather from first bell to last. He brings fireworks to fight night.
And his body work against Lozano was exceptional. I’ve noticed something about Richie Carter trained fighters: they’ve been schooled to detonate lead left hooks under their opponents’ elbow.
Powar, now unbeaten in four, has the hurtful shot off to a “T”. It slammed against Lozano’s flank time and again. Others would’ve buckled, the Mexican bit on his gumshield and attempted to hit back, but lacked the power to stem the relentless attacks.
He provided Gully with invaluable experience.
In the dressing room afterwards, Carter said: “I thought Gully boxed beautifully. I honestly believe he can be something big. He lives the life, he’s always in the gym.
“He has come on leaps and bounds. Tonight, he was up against a tough Mexican. He didn’t get flustered, he showed he can mix it.”
Powar – a young man not short on self-confidence, told me: “I’m destined for greatness.”
That’s quite a statement from a pro yet to go beyond the four round apprentice distance.
Gully (9st 3lbs 12oz) began behind a stiff jab and by the second was driving left hooks to Lozano’s body, sometimes doubling the shot. One particularly classy combination – a right hook to the body that was then turned into a thunderous uppercut – caught my eye.
When tagged cleanly – and Lozano was frequently tagged cleanly – the visitor hit back. It was akin to throwing ping-pong balls at a Chieftain tank.
My notes for the end of the second state: “Great round.”
Lozano (9st 2lbs 4oz) connected with uppercuts of his own in the third, but was harpooned by a left to the body in the dying seconds.
In the last, Powar worked Lozano’s body like Ginger Baker beating out a drum solo. His opponent never stopped trying to give something back. That is to his immense credit.
It’s much too early to predict if Gully will achieve the greatness he craves.
It’s going to be a lot of fun watching him try.