Gully Powar targets British title shot after controversial Saudi Arabia loss

The Wolverhampton featherweight was beaten by Mexico’s Brandon Mosqueda to exit the WBC Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia last weekend but took huge heart from an impressive performance.

And the 22-year-old, who saw his stock soar when he outpointed Japhethlee Llamido in the opening round of the Grand Prix earlier this year, is now eyeing a huge scrap back home against British champion Zak Miller.

Powar told the Express & Star: “That would be the best outcome. Zak Miller is going to defend his title and I want to fight him next.

“I think I will win it. I have fought high level opponents and after performing like I did in Saudi, my confidence is through the roof.

“I want to jump straight in but if not, if I have to wait, I will go for the English title first.

“It has only been five days since I fought last and already I am thinking about it. That is how quickly I want to get back in there.”

Powar admitted having returned to the UK with a sense of frustration after becoming the first opponent to go the distance with Mosqueda, the pre-tournament favourite.

After being sent to the canvas in the opening round, the Midlands fighter recovered and believed he should have been awarded a knockdown himself in the second round when Mosqueda went down, only for the officials to rule it a slip.

Of far greater annoyance were the wide scorecards which Powar, to the agreement of nearly every observer, did not give an accurate reflection of the action.

He said: “The scorecards were crazy. It was a close fight and the way they made it was as though he dominated, which is completely not the case.

“When I heard the scorecard I was shocked but that is boxing. I am not going to sit and dwell on it. I am going to come back stronger.”

Powar had not fought outside the Midlands before taking on Llamido in April and though his tournament might now be over, he believes his experience in the Middle East will be hugely beneficial to his career.

He said: “I’m not happy to lose a fight but a lot of good things have happened from it. My stock has risen, massively.

“People are looking at me and thinking, wow, this kid has balls! I proved to everyone I have the champion mentality to get back off the canvas and fight on.

“I don’t think many fighters in the country would do what I did (by entering the Grand Prix). I think at the age of 22, most would not want to take the risk.

“A lot of fighters are afraid of losing their zero but I did not really care about that, I wanted to go and win the whole thing.

“We knew the risk, we knew the gamble but at the same time some really good things have come from it.

“It wasn’t my day and I just have to go back to the drawing board but this time I know the whole boxing world will be watching.”