Ennis-Brown keen to make up for lost time and claim British and Commonwealth titles
Phillip Bowes and Akeem Ennis-Brown
GLOUCESTER’S Akeem Ennis-Brown says he is ready to make domestic rival Phillip Bowes ‘pay for wasting his time’ as the pair prepare to go head to head for the British and Commonwealth titles.
Unbeaten super-lightweight Ennis-Brown was due to face Bowes at York Hall towards the end of last year but the fight was postponed on the day of the contest after the latter’s urine contained blood.
Ennis-Brown revealed that he initially had doubts about the fight after Bowes had shown up late and overweight to their weigh in a day before their scheduled fight.
The 24-year-old, who is trained by Jon Pitman, says his coach then received a phone call on the day of the fight where he was told it was postponed.
However, despite the disappointment and inevitable frustration, Ennis-Brown says he is now ready to take that anger out on Bowes and claim the British and Commonwealth crowns in the process.
“I was looking forward to that fight happening and then ending 2019 on a high note but then it fell through,” he said.
“The only way I can describe it is imagine you’re sat in front of a big golden pot, you’re about to reach for it and then someone slaps it away from you. That’s how it felt to me.
“It was frustrating on our behalf because we wasted so much money on camp. My fans got the money back for their tickets but they spent money on trains and hotels too.
“A few days after it was cancelled I was just confused and then it got to the point where I thought let’s just get on with it.
“You always have to look for a plus side out of a negative, there is always a diamond in the dirt if you search for it.
“I could have sat there and dwelled on it but now I’m thinking the fight is going to be bigger and I’ll be even better prepared because I’d have had two training camps.
“Now the fight will land on a TV date so I’m ready for that. I’m ready to make Phillip Bowes pay for wasting my time and my money.”
Ennis-Brown opted to pull of MTK Global’s Golden Contract competition in order to fight for the British and Commonwealth titles.
Despite the delay, the Gloucester fighter says he believes he made the right decision as he thinks it will serve him better in the long run.
“The Golden Contract would have been a great opportunity but the choice between that and the British and Commonwealth titles was easy for me,” he added.
“A lot of people have their own preferences. If you want money then go for the Golden Contract but for me it’s about legacy.
“Don’t get me wrong I want legacy and money but I think legacy will bring me money. What’s money without legacy?
“I want to be able to sit back at the end of my career and say people know me for what I have been able to do.
“I look at the bigger picture. The Golden Contract probably would have earned me more money than the British and Commonwealth straight up, plus I like them two belts – I’ve been eyeing them up for years.”
