Lewis loses out, but can take positives from first pro defeat

Howellls on the attack. All pictures courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer

LEWIS Howells, Stratford-upon-Avon’s adopted Welshman, rolled the dice on Saturday night, but failed to hit boxing’s jackpot.

On Boxxer’s world title bill at Cardiff International Arena, Howells lost a spirited six rounder to fellow countryman Kyran Jones, 59-54 on referee Chris Jones’ card.

But plenty of positives can be taken from the battle of unbeatens. Howells, having his fourth contest, was competitive and had successes. It was a good fight.

As trainer Derek Fitzpatrick said on the morning after the night before: “It wasn’t the result we were after, not really the performance we were after, but there were little chunks of gold in there.”

It was the bout middleweight Howells had asked for. He and fellow Newport lad Jones were both national champs, both members of the Welsh squad and had sparred together many times.

On the night, southpaw Jones’ edge in pro experience – he’s now unbeaten in 10 – told. Howells, whipped into fine shape at Fitzpatrick’s Leamington gym, had his moments, particularly in the fourth and fifth, but Jones appeared the man in control.

At 27, Howells has not been harmed by his first pro setback. In fact, his reputation may have been enhanced.

Howells makes his ring entrance on the big Cardiff bill

A number of factors contributed to defeat, among them inactivity – he plunged into the deep end after nearly 11 months out, and what can be the near overwhelming experience of a major TV show with its bright lights and build-up.

The most decisive factor, however, was the knockdown Howells, having his first paid outing on Welsh soil, suffered in the first round.

The script went out of the window after Lewis was dumped by that peach of a left hand. He wanted payback.

“The knockdown scrambled the game plan and brought the fighter out in Lewis,” Fitzpatrick admitted. “He tried to fight his way through the first few rounds against a very capable boxer. Emotions got involved. He and Kyron had been friends, team-mates and that knockdown felt a bit personal.

“That flash knockdown brought out the animal in him.

“The occasion played a part. I saw bits of macho stuff from Lewis which is very much out of character. It was a packed arena, it was a powerful evening.

“The emotions, the stage and the knockdown all contributed, it was all a bit overwhelming. But we’ve had a lot of positive feedback. It’s been a great experience and I know there is a lot more to come from Lew.

The first round knockdown that would prove so costly

“It was ambitious to jump to that level so soon. Lew gained more from that fight than he would have done rolling over six journeymen. The experience has added to his development.

“There are a lot of improvements, not to be made, as such, but to be implemented.

“Lewis has to work hard during the day (he paints road markings on highways). He faced a full-time athlete whereas boxing is Lewis’ second job. I think you could see the difference.

“In the last eight weeks he lost two stone – that kind of weight loss would make him slimmer of the week.”

Fitzpatrick added: “There are far more positives than negatives.”

He’s right. Defeat is not a catastrophe, it’s part of the learning curve.