Commonwealth and English featherweight champion Isaac Lowe will next appear on July 9 at the Manchester Arena, as part of the undercard to Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight title defence against Wladimir Klitschko, and admits he wouldn’t be boxing at all if it wasn’t for the influence and guidance of the best heavyweight on the planet.
Lowe, unbeaten in 13 pro fights, has looked up to Fury throughout the course of his own four-year professional career, even turning to him during difficult times, and says he owes him a lot.
“Many times I’ve been down and thought about giving up this sport – throwing it in – but Tyson has been the one who has come and picked me back up and given me the encouragement to keep going,” Lowe explains. “He has got me back in the gym and sometimes taken me away training to freshen things up.
“A lot of people just judge him based on what they see on television. But, trust me, get him off camera and he’s a completely guy altogether. He’s always been someone I have respected and looked up to. He’s down-to-earth, kind, funny, likes a laugh. He’s like a big baby, to tell you the truth. Sometimes you’ve got to tell him what to do. He gets carried away. He’s also inspirational and is a teacher. That’s the role he has played in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am now in boxing if it wasn’t for Tyson.
“Now we’re both on the same show together and we’re going to make history. It’s going to be a night to remember for both of us. It will probably be a bit emotional, too.”
Last time out, in February, the ‘Westgate Warrior’ used a lot of what Tyson has taught him over the years to impressively dominate and then stop Marco McCullough in a vacant Commonwealth title clash.
“Everyone wrote me off before that fight,” Lowe says. “They said Marco would be too big and strong and that I’d get knocked out. Nobody gave me a chance. But I went in there and showed people what I’m capable of. I showed them I’m not just a boxer. I’ve also got power and can hurt people. It was the best I’ve ever boxed. I hope I convinced a few people with the performance; don’t rule me out, there’s a lot more to come.”
Lowe seemingly isn’t content to win just Commonwealth and English title honours. He wants more. He wants other belts. And he won’t stop until his dream comes true.
“I’m not one for calling out fighters,” he says. “All I want is that world title and I’ll go down whatever route I have to go down in order to get it. If it means going down the British title route, I’ll do it. If it means going in another direction, I’ll do that instead. I’ll go where the money is. It’s a business, at the end of the day, and I’ve got to provide for a family. That’s part of the reason why I want that world title so badly.
“The first time I went into the gym at seven years of age I never thought I’d be a Commonwealth and English champion at 22 after 13 fights. You don’t think like that. But I always went to bed and dreamed of one day becoming a world champion.”
*** For tickets to REPEAT OR REVENGE: Fury vs. Klitschko 2, please visit eventim.co.uk or call 0844 847 8000 ***
