Gully wants to do it the old school way

Gully Powar…given himself a six month deadline to glory

WHITMORE Reans whirlwind Gully Powar has given himself a six month deadline to be in the mix for an English title.

It’s an ambitious schedule for the Wolverhampton feather cum super-bantam, but to date Powar – a young man with a huge fanbase – has ticked all the boxes.

And respected coach Richie Carter told me in the dressing room following Gully’s latest victory: “I think he could be something special. He lives the life totally.”

In the ring, Powar – unbeaten in four – is a boxing Durcell Bunny, he sets a frantic pace, slinging leather non-stop until the other man near suffocates under a tidal wave of punches.

To date, he’s done that over the apprentice four round distance. How Carter adjusts that blazing style to professional boxing’s long haul is the task at hand.

You can’t win a marathon by sprinting.

On July 14, at Wolverhampton’s Hangar Events Venue, the 20-year-old takes part in his first six rounder. An opponent has yet to be announced.

Wolverhampton sports fans who have not experienced a Gully Powar bout should go and soak up the entertainment. He’s like a latter day, Black Country Henry Armstrong – no let-up, no stepping off the gas. Powar just keeps coming.

And the noise from fans is roof-raising.

Gully – a boxer who burns with ambition – believes longer distances will bring out the best in him.

He told me: “You’ll see me at my best when I drag opponents into deep waters. I train for long distance fights all the time, I spar 10 rounds, and I’m showing people more and more every time I fight.

“Step-up fights – 50/50 fights – that’s when you’ll see the best of me. The better the opposition, the better I’ll be. With my style, I will upset a lot of boxers.”

Powar is hungry for glory and has a cast-iron belief he’ll achieve it.

He said: “I have a lot of support, they push me on, they shout my name. And they’ll watch me go all the way. After two six rounders, I do want to go for the English title at super-bantam. In six months, I’d like to be in a position to fight for the English title. At the weight, there are not many others out there.

“I’m a young man. As I’m getting older, I’m getting stronger. With the longer distances, you’ll see my power.”

Powar is certainly putting in the work required to be a champ. Fellow BCB fighters tell me the pocket dynamo trains like a demon.

“I’m going all the way,” Gully added. “It’s not arrogance, that’s my dream. I want to be a legend like Roberto Duran.

“He came from nowhere to beat the best. He did it the old school way and I want to do it the old school way.”

Away from the gym – and the boxer’s seldom away from the gym, Gully’s passion is snooker.

Those watching him in the gym and in the boxing ring, are convinced he’ll pocket titles.