Wolverhampton boxing star vows to make the most of Frank Warren deal

Wolverhampton star Gully Powar is eager to unlock the door to boxing stardom after signing with famed promoter Frank Warren.

Powar will face Nelson Birchall in his first fight under Warren’s Queensberry Promotions banner at Birmingham’s BP Pulse Arena on September 26, with the British featherweight title expected to be on the line.

The date has delivered clarity to Powar following a frustrating few months which saw his first bid for the Lonsdale belt, against Rhys Edwards, end in a controversial draw despite most observers believing the Midlands man was the clear victor.

A rematch scheduled to take place in Wolverhampton early next month, then fell through after Edwards pulled out citing injury.

But everything has worked out for Powar after signing for one of the biggest promoters in the sport.

He told the Express & Star: “When I was offered the chance to sign for Queensberry it was something I couldn’t turn down.

“Right now, I have the key to the door. It is down to me to keep working hard if I am going to get where I believe I can in the sport.”

Powar’s performance against Edwards, in which he threw more than 1,000 punches, earned him many new fans and the 24-year-old revealed he is getting used to being stopped for autographs during his training runs around the city.

He now wants to give those supporters something to shout about in what will be his first major show in the Midlands.

Powar’s early career was carved out exclusively in the small halls before he took the gamble of entering last year’s WBC World Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia.

A stunning win over Japhethlee Llamido and impressive showing in defeat to the competition’s eventual winner, Brandon Mosqueda, underlined his talent and he then stepped up to the plate again by agreeing to take on Wales’ Edwards in Cardiff.

While the result did not go Powar’s way, he has taken huge confidence from the experience.

“That performance showed everyone what I am capable of,” he explained.

“A lot of people were doubting whether I could do the 12 rounds. The odds were against me.

“But I showed I can be a 12 round fighter, a warrior in the ring. I can’t wait to do it again.

“This is actually going to be my first big fight in England. I had two in Saudi and another in Wales. Now it is my time to fight in Birmingham, in front of my home crowd.”

Birchall has an unblemished record of 11 wins from 11 professional fights, eight of them by knockout.

“There are no easy fights,” said Powar. “You always have to work hard. I am just focused on what I am going to do.

“My work ethic is unmatched. I am always in the gym training hard, always putting the graft in. That is going to be what sets me apart from everyone else.”