Howells v Osaige is a real barnstormer

Howells…looking for a hat-trick of pro wins

THERE’S a gem of a four rounder on Tommy Owens’ marathon, 12 bout bill at Solihull’s Planet Ice on Saturday.

In a unusual clash of unbeaten newcomers, Lewis Howells, the former Welsh international now based in Stratford, will face free swinging Jackson Osagie, a Nigerian based in Birmingham.

Expect fireworks.

And expect a lot of noise. Osagie, aged 31 and winner of two, has a vocal, colourful following.

I watched the super-middle grab narrow points victory over Scot Robbie Connors on Owens’ April show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport.

It was four rounds of pure mayhem, the fight of the night by a sea mile. Osagie was wobbled in the first, but came back hurling hail Mary punches.

The man’s brave, but very raw. Some of those shots began at his bootlaces. At times it was akin to witnessing a John Wayne bar-room brawl, but with less finesse.

Howells, a 26-year-old who moved from Newport to Warwickshire, is, in contrast, well schooled and correct. He, too, has a brace of pro wins to his name.

He had around 70 amateur contests, collected a national title and represented his country.

In a recent interview, Lewis told me: “My goal is to get as many fights as I can. I don’t care where I fight. I’m looking to progress. If I can fight in Wales, happy days. With my amateur background, I feel a British title is something I can pick-up. A British title is the minimum goal.

“I think my strengths are speed, I’m quite tall at the weight and general boxing ability. My plan was to be a super-middleweight, I’ve never dieted throughout my whole career. The more active I am, we’ll see how the weight comes off, but I’m happy at middle right now.”

Trained by Derek Fitzpatrick, Howells should possess too much sweet science for Osagie. But if one of Jackson’s bombs connects flush, Lewis may find himself dragged into a wild and woolly war.