Tough ring date is a gift for Natty Howell
Birthday boy Natty Howell plans to prove why he's 'the Natural' after hand-picking his opponent for tomorrow's fight night.
Howell, who turned 27 yesterday, insists his ring date in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club is all the present he needs,
The light middleweight, who lives in Rowley Regis, has spent seven months out of action with a shoulder injury and a fractured hand.
That has left him stuck on two professional wins since turning over, having boxed for Priory Park in Dudley for three years as an amateur.
A deft right hand to the temple helped take out Sam Wall in the first round of his last fight, after outpointing Ben Robinson on his paid bow.
Howell had the choice of taking on Liam Griffiths, a tough but limited journeyman, or Chris Jenkinson, a capable foe who comes to win.
The brave Brummie, who grew up in nearby Nechells, took no time in opting for the latter on what is a home from home show for him.
Jenkinson nearly put a blemish on the record of the undefeated Daniel Breeze, from Bloxwich, in Birmingham just two weeks ago.
Breeze - like Howell, trained by Jon Pegg - put in a gusty display to prevent a draw by coming out on top in the fourth and last round.
The same distance awaits Howell this weekend and he's looking forward to the challenge, having turned his nose up at Griffiths.
He said: "I just want to fight, to be honest, but Jon sort of saw the look on my face and asked me if I wanted Jenkinson instead.
"He's a tough opponent for anyone, but I want to take him on. He caused 'Breezy' some problems, but I'm not scared of him.
"I'm intrigued to know how he's adventurous he's going to be, after he feels my power. He's busy and won't want to get stopped.
"I'll feel him out and see what mistakes he makes, then go up the gears."
Howell may upgrade to a six-rounder for his next contest and wanted that time-frame for this one on Tommy Owens' Villa bill.
He feels he has the 'natural' fitness and skills - hence the nickname - to make the step up easy, but his camp played him down.
He said: "The coaches are reining me in. I keep telling them what I want to do, but I trust their judgement as they know the game.
"I make the weight easy and I live the life of an athlete. I guess it's just good genetics."
