Macauley: Graduate passing fight exams
Macauley Owen…seen as one of country’s hottest prospects
MACAULEY Owen is a prospect not lacking in intellect. There’s considerable brain-power to go with the ring ability.
The Telford 25-year-old studied sports science at Coventry University and mastered in sports nutrition.
He is currently 6-0 as a pro and, under Frank Warren’s Queensberry promotional banner, has served his apprenticeship on major televised shows.
Macauley is a young man eager to step up to the plate.
“Hopefully, it’s a Midland title fight next,” he said. “I think there’s already two people up for the super-feather (junior-lightweight) title, so that’s out, but I’m more than happy to fight for the lightweight title.
“How far can I go. How far is there to go? The British title would be a great achievement and, from there, you’re looking at the world, but we’re taking one fight at a time.
“Adaptability is my main strength, if someone changes tactics I know how to adapt to it. I punch hard and would punch even harder in the super-feather (junior-lightweight) division. I’ve had to fight lightweights.
“I’ve shown what I can do when someone takes it to me.”
Owen stopped his first opponent, but has since had to settle for points decisions. Last time out – March 25 at Telford International Centre – he handily outscored tough Christian Lopez Flores over six.
As an amateur, Owen initially fought for Donnington ABC, a conveyor belt of champions that spawned current European titleholder Liam Davies.
He continued his unpaid career at university and bowed out with 50 wins in 75 bouts. The haul of honours include winning the CYPs, two British University titles and lifting the Haringey Box Cup twice.
“Donnington’s a tough gym filled with tough people,” said Owen. “They put the fight in you. I was hoping to stay in the amateurs and get to 100 fights, which is a commendable achievement. The plan was to fight anyone, anywhere to get to the 100 mark. Then covid came and lockdown was announced in the same week I was supposed to be fighting in the ABAs, which was a bit of a sickener. I was confident of winning the ABAs that year.”
Now Owen has risen to the fresh challenge of professional boxing and, under England amateur coach Shiney Singh, has sailed the early tests. The wider fight public are beginning to sit up and take notice – he’s been nominated in the “prospect of the year” category at the board of control’s Midlands awards in June.
“The transition is tough,” he admitted. “At the end of my amateur days, I felt I had a really good amateur style. It’s different in the pro game, the ‘in and out’ style has to change. It’s about the quality of shots, not the quantity of shots.”
Since turning pro in 2021, Owen has established himself as an exciting prospect with a big fan base.
“I did 200 tickets for my debut,” he pointed out. “The backing is good. Liam Davies has a massive following and his fans come to see me, which I’m grateful for.”
In an earlier interview with Queensberry, Owen said: I was talking about what to call myself the other day with my coach and he said ‘No Mas’ because of the pressure I am gonna put on people.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am a boxer, but I am a pressure boxer and if you don’t quit I am gonna take you out one way or another.”
Sounds like Macauley’s rise to title status is going to be exciting.