I’M confident that, after the dust has settled, Aaron Bowen – a flame-haired bundle of fighting fury – will possess the first title belt of his career.
Barring injury, Bowen’s army of Coventry fans will be raising a glass to the new Midlands middleweight champ on Saturday.
It’s not that opponent Tom Cowling, who Bowen meets on Matchroom’s huge NEC show topped by light-heavyweight star Ben Whittaker, is lacking quality. The Newark boxer, who has lost only one of 15, is a very good fighter.
I just don’t think he’s special. And it needs a special talent to derail former elite amateur Bowen’s ride to glory.
Let’s be brutal about it. Cowling has been brought-in to play the role of fall-guy against a 26-year-old prospect groomed for stardom by Eddie Hearn from the get-go: Every one of Bowen’s seven straight wins – five inside distance – have taken place on major televised arena shows.
A Cowling victory would upset the applecart.
He’s attempted to take the Midlands belt before – in his hometown last year – and that ended in points defeat to Burntwood’s Troy Coleman. Cowling’s bounced back with two points wins over moderate opposition, but both victims are a league below Bowen.
Cowling is brave and skilful. He’s stopped four, but may lack the firepower to keep big-hitting Bowen at bay. I think he’ll do well to survive the 10 rounds.
Frankly, I’m mystified how former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Bowen, who stands at 6ft 3ins, makes middleweight. Trained by Shiney Singh in Walsall, he looks a full-blown super-middle: a towering one at that.
He’s undoubtedly good for the game. Aaron is exciting, heavy-handed and loves a tear-up: that may be down to the Irish blood coursing through his veins.
His career appears destined to be a “take one to give one” rollercoaster.
Post Cowling, there are mouth-watering potential showdowns against men from his own city.
Bowen and explosive Amir Abubaker would be a gunfight. Bowen and Bradley Goldsmith would be a Sky Blues sell-out.
But Bowen can’t look past Cowling and the underdog’s manager Carl Greaves has warned of an upset. He told local paper the Nottingham Post: “Aaron may struggle with Tom’s power and his greater experience over the championship rounds.”
Cowling said: “I know that Aaron is a tough opponent and people will expect him to win our fight.
“If I box as well as I know I can, there’s no reason why I can’t beat him. To do that and be remembered as a Midlands Area champion would be amazing.”
At the start of his career, Bowen told me: “I come from the Coundon district of Coventry. They call it County Coundon because of its massive Irish community. I’m grateful they are all excited about my journey. I want to go to the top and I want them to come along with me.
“It will be an exciting journey. Take a few, give a few back – I’ll bring that with a bit of skill.”
On Saturday, I foresee Bowen giving a lot more than he takes and sparking a Coundon carnival.
