Gully dominates to notch-up 11th victory
Powar and his team celebrate landslide victory. Pic: Jack Perry
THE irrepressible force of nature that is Gully Powar beat a withering rhythm of punches to the head and body of poker-faced Eliecer Quezada for every minute of their eight rounder last night.
And throughout the beat-down, the teak tough Nicaraguan’s expression never changed.
Powar, an exciting Wolverhampton fighter with a global Sikh following, took every round of the main event on BCB’s show at the Hangar, in his home city, the 80-72 card a formality.
But he couldn’t drop Quezada who must have a vein of granite running through his jaw. He is tougher than boot leather.
By the end, the visitor’s features were swollen and he was under sever pressure, but he somehow survived the storm.
Quezada isn’t a bad fighter. He’s tested very good lads in a 58 bout career (30 losses). He simply could match Gully’s phenomenal work rate – and Powar is a man blessed with a remarkable engine.
He is perpetual motion in the ring, throwing punches non-stop like some latter day Henry Armstrong.
And he possesses a work ethic akin to “Homicide Hank’s”. Unbeaten Powar aims to squeeze in one more contest before 2024 is finished, which will be his 12th in two years as a pro. That’s a very busy schedule.
Trainer Richie Carter told me after the bout: “Quezada has given quality fighters really hard nights. I don’t think he landed two punches tonight.”
Powar and Quezada pose for pictures after their main event
Carter has added guile to Gully’s whirlwind style. The 22-year-old jabbed with authority, cut the ring off well and systematically broke Quezada down.
“I showed something different tonight,” Powar said. “Destructiveness with skill. He’s a tough man, I caught him with very solid left hands and with another couple of rounds I would’ve stopped him.
“I hurt him, but you can’t be greedy in there. Hopefully, I’ll have another fight in December, then we’re looking at 2025 being a big year.”
Quezada (9st 5lbs) took his lumps and, constantly switching from his southpaw stance, always attempted to hit back with swinging, cuffing blows. He had limited success with them.
But it was akin to trying to halt a Chieftain tank by throwing snowballs at it. He constantly circled the ring before being corralled in a corner and punished.
Powar (9st 5lbs) prowled like a panther before unleashing with venom. A straight right knocked Quezada’s head back in the third and, in the fifth, he took a barrage of stiff shots against the ropes.
He dropped his hands after being tagged cleanly in the sixth and beckoned Powar to come forward. The Black Country hope didn’t need an invitation.
It was becoming increasingly torturous for the outgunned visitor as Powar found another gear in the final two sessions. A big left landed dramatically in the seventh, an even bigger right drew a glower from the Nicaraguan.
He fiddled his way to the final bell and earned every penny of his payday.