Powar: I’m ready to shine on big stage

Powar celebrates victory over Narvaez. Picture: Jack Perry

GULLY Powar had just completed a seven mile run when I contacted him following last night’s landslide victory at Wolverhampton’s Hangar venue.

The man – in the ring, a study in violent perpetual motion – doesn’t believe in days off. He certainly has an astounding work ethic.

In his sixth contest, the Wolverhampton super-bantam faced little resistance from Nicaraguan Christian Narvaez – a man enjoyed considerable weight advantage. He took every session of their four rounder, 40-36.

Narvaez may have won only 17 of 90 (seven draws), but he’s faced real iron and is near impossible to budge.

He endured a painful night against Gully who relentlessly punished the body.

For Powar, who is certain big things beckon, the struggles and drama came during the bout’s build-up.

He was scheduled to face a good Russian in a six round step-up contest at around 9st. When he pulled-out, a quality South America was brought in.

When that went west with time running out, Narvaez, who scaled close to light-welter – that’s four divisions above Gully’s best fighting weight, answered the call.

Powar was forced to put on weight quickly and scaled 9st 7lbs on the night.

He said: “It got moved to four rounds because Narvaez said he only wanted four rounds. I was looking forward to six because that’s the best for me – over four rounds you don’t see the best of me, but I always put on a show. I showed a lot of skill and broke him down.

“I’m ready for the English super-bantamweight title. I’ll have another fight in November, then in March or April I want to fight for the title.

“At the level I’m at at the moment, I’m dominating. I’m 21 and want to achieve great things. I have a great team around me, my trainer Richie Carter keeps me grounded and focused, my family keep me grounded and focused.

Gully Powar…looking for English title early next year

“Narvaez didn’t like the body shots and looked to survive. I respect the man for getting in the ring with me.”

Gully added: “I want to keep elevating, like the old school fighters. Every fight you’re seeing a better version of me.

“When I get on the bigger platform, when it’s my time to shine, a lot of people are going to like my style.”

In truth, a detailed, round by round analysis of the Narvaez contest would make monotonous reading. It was one way traffic, with Powar launching relentless attacks and the South American desperately attempting to survive the storm.

He took a beating to the body.

He was handed a brief respite following a low blow in the second, attempted to stall the savagery by switching stances, but Powar continued to pour it on.

Gully insists he is a boxer destined for greatness and Richard Carter says he is something special.

Against a survivor such as Narvaez, it’s impossible to tell if they’re right.