Title hope Des Bowater in it for the long haul
Wolverhampton's Des Bowater reckons his tendency to go the distance could work in his favour when he steps up to championship boxing next month.
'D Bow' tackles Leicester's Lewis Jones in an eight-round British Masters Bronze super featherweight title fight on Saturday February 21, writes Craig Birch.
Those in attendance in the Stadium Suite might do well to expect a long night - both Bowater and Jones have completed the allotted time in all six of their respective professional contests.
His East Midlands opponent has won, lost and drawn in all equal measure, while 'the Wednesfield Warrior' has only ever dropped one round.
That came in the 23-year-old's last outing against Jamie Quinn, where he suffered a dip in the fifth for what proved to be a patchy but untroubled performance.
Bowater said: "I felt good in there and I'm more than ready for eight rounds now. I got a bit of criticism for my last performance, from certain writers, but that's boxing.
"I didn't fight my best but, in my eyes, I won at my worst. I'd have liked a nice stoppage somewhere along the lines, but its six out of six and it's been better than expected.
"I've wanted a title for a while. You can expect an exciting fight. It's going to be a war with lots of punches thrown, hopefully a knockdown in this one but I can guarantee you your monies worth.
"I'm hoping to step up to 10 rounds and fight for an English title in by the end of the year. Boxing is all about mindset and I know I'm more than ready."
Halesowen's Lennox Clarke boxes for the British Masters Bronze super middleweight crown in the evening's other title fight, going up against the durable Dan Blackwell.
The former white collar fighter is developing a reputation as a puncher, with three stoppages from his six straight wins including a stunning 14 second knockout of Raimonds Sniedze.
While Blackwell has only won six out of 46 professional contests, he's only ever been stopped once, so Clarke might have to literally smash through him.
Stoke's Kieron McLaren completes the card, taking on experienced journeyman Matt Seawright over six two minute rounds.
Tickets range from £30, £40 ringside or £50 VIP with a three-course meal included. For more information, call the Walsall FC ticket office on 01922 651 414-416 or 07557 395 138.
