New boxing pro aiming to reach the top
Boxer Tom Cowling is hoping to forge a successful career after signing his first professional contract.
The 21-year-old, of Balderton, has been signed by Newark boxing supremo Carl Greaves, who will be his manager and trainer.
Cowling took up the sport as a ten-year-old and has 76 amateur fights to his name, winning more than half.
He was previously with South Normanton Amateur Boxing Club.
He said he was excited to be given the chance at professional boxing, a dream he had held since first picking up the gloves as a child.
“It’s a massive opportunity, and is something I have been wanting to do since I was ten,” he said.
“Now I’m 21 and looking forward to the challenge, really testing myself and going as far as I can.
“It has been two years since Carl talked about this deal. I have been thinking about it and the time now feels right.”
Cowling has lofty ambitions for his future, and aims to make a name for himself in boxing.
“I know it’s a big one, but I have always wanted to be a world champion,” he said.
“For the next three years I hope to get English titles, which will be the main thing I am focusing on for now.
“Above all, I want to have a successful career, and this will be the first step to achieving that.”
Cowling said he was grateful for the opportunities he had at amateur level, which he believed had given him a good grounding in the sport.
“My trainer, Joe Elliott, has been great in the eight years I have been with him. He is a terrific matchmaker and has given me good training.
“In terms of the amateur side, it’s like going through an apprenticeship, but now I feel I am ready for the real thing.”
Cowling believes fighting at professional level will suit his style more than the quick-fire nature of amateur bouts.
“From a young age I had Carl drill it into me. My dad as well made sure I fought with the style of a pro instead of an amateur, which has stuck with me,” Cowling said.
“More rounds will help me. There are only three rounds at amateur level and I’m a bit of a slow starter.
“Generally, I kick into gear a bit more when I have got a few rounds under my belt so that should work to my advantage.”
Greaves, a former WBF world super- featherweight champion, believes Cowling has the all-round ability to succeed at professional level.
“He is a fantastic prospect,” he said.
“I have known him since he was ten. The pro style really suits him and will bring the best out of him.
“The amateur game is fast and furious and non-stop, whereas the professional fights you can think about your boxing more and pick your shots.
“Tom has got quality in his punches and hits his shots quite hard and picks them quite nicely.
“He has a good boxer’s brain, but because his amateur fights have been at 100 miles per hour he hasn’t been able to show that.”
The first priority for Greaves is to get him established in the professional arena and find him some good bouts on his shows.
Greaves said it was the right time for Cowling to turn professional.
“We haven’t had a boxer come out of Newark with quite as much experience at amateur level as Tom for a long time,” he said.
“At 21 he is developing into a man, and is beginning to show that man strength.
“It’s probably the perfect time for him to turn professional as he has really come on in leaps and bounds over the past year.
“He has been boxing well and doing bits and bobs with me for a while, and I am pleased and excited about his future.”
