Howells: I will keep on rolling the dice
The towel comes in as Lewis takes count. Pic: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
RESPECTED Leamington trainer Derek Fitzpatrick insists some positives can be taken from his middleweight Lewis Howells’ first round loss on Saturday’s major Sheffield show.
Frankly, I’ve been able to reflect on the result with any optimism, other than the fact Howells lost to a furnace hot prospect in Sam Hickey and took the bout at short notice.
The Welshman, who now lives in Stratford, displayed what those around him already know. He possesses courage in abundance and showed it by hauling himself off the canvas three times.
There’s no quit in the man.
The same punch – a short left hook to the body – dropped the 27-year-old on each occasion. He was up at nine after the first knockdown, eight after the second and was rising for the final time when Fitzpatrick threw in the towel.
There was only a second of the session remaining, but it was the right decision by Derek. It was the only decision and if he hadn’t signalled surrender, I’m certain referee Michael Alexander would’ve ended the one sided affair.
“You have to give it to Sam Hickey,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s clinical, skilful, dangerous, very, very good.
“Lewis showed bottle to get up three times, he finished on his feet. I think the referee was going to call it, but I had to make sure. I called it and I’ll take ownership and responsibility for that.
“I am genuinely proud of him for getting off the sofa and taking this one just after Christmas.”
Howells, who lost for the second time in seven contests, lives to fight another day. And, hopefully, he boxes on bolstered by a lesson learned the hard way against Dundee’s Hickey.
Saturday’s loss on Boxxer’s Park Community Arena show underlined the fact professional fighters – at that level – cannot dip in and out of the sport.
They have to tick over in the gym and stay sharp, if not totally fight fit. They have to be ready for an unexpected call to compete. Lewis’ record is that of a man who has taken time off – sometimes enforced by injury – then returned to start all over again.
Howells is dropped by a body shot. Pic: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
The razor sharpness gained through fighting and sparring regularly cannot be completely replaced in one training camp. And, after a break, too much focus is often on making weight.
Howells, a boxer who has, to date, dabbled with the professional game, faced someone whose adult life revolves around it.
On the night, that was a very big difference.
I understand the difficulties total dedication to the sport presents for Lewis. He has three young children and has to work to feed his family.
But he has the talent to compete at a higher level. You don’t represent your country and win national titles unless you’re special.
Unless Howells constantly hones his skills in the gym, he will fail to realise his full potential, even deteriorate.
I’m concerned that, last May Lewis gave unbeaten Welsh prospect Kyran Jones a competitive distance fight. He wasn’t competitive against Hickey, a former Commonwealth gold and European bronze medallist.
“There is a talent there,” Fitzpatrick said, “but I’d like increased commitment from him. What I’d like – and it’s going to be difficult after a first round loss – is to get Lewis some backing to enable him to train better.
“He is trading on talent and talent alone is not enough. He’s brave and skilful, it’s not enough. Unless he can dedicate himself to boxing he is in danger of dropping further and further back.”
Judging by his post-fight social media post, Howells is wiser for the loss.
He said: “The only way to describe how I feel is utterly devastated.
“It’s not dented my confidence or self-belief, as I know exactly what I am capable of doing when in the right shape. I had less than three weeks to prepare for the fight. As a professional, you’re told to always be ready. Unfortunately, on this occasion, I wasn’t. Yes, I trained solid for two weeks and did what I could to get myself into the best shape possible, but when you’re up against top prospects who live and breathe the sport sometimes that just isn’t enough.
“As a fighter all I could do was keep getting back up each time I was knocked down. My corner team took the decision to throw the towel in as they wanted to ensure that I came out of the ring safe, and I respect them for doing so.
“I’m grateful to have a team who cares for my health and well-being and are not scared to make these big decisions in order to make sure I can get home to my wife and kids safe.
“I will continue to keep rolling the dice and gambling when given these big opportunities because that’s the person I am. But, in future, I will make sure I’m 100 per cent ready as I can’t keep letting these chances slip away.”