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RICHARD TOWERS is loving life as a trainer. The former heavyweight’s last fight was in 2014, after which he bowed out with a 15-1 (12) record – his only defeat coming to former WBA regular titlist Lucas Browne. Since then the 6’8” man-mountain has turned to coaching fighters, after picking up a wealth of knowledge from some of the sport’s most notable cornermen, including the late, renowned Emanuel Steward.
On March 15, in his home city of Sheffield at the Ponds Forge Arena, Towers will be in the corner of Swedish fighter, Redouane Kaya, when he makes his UK debut on a Dennis Hobson Promotions undercard, headlined by local man, Tommy Frank, taking on Northern Ireland’s Luke Wilton for the vacant Commonwealth super-flyweight title, live on Freesports (Freeview 95, Freesat 252, Sky 422, BT 95, Talk Talk 95, Virgin 553).
A former star amateur, Kaya, is currently 7-0 (1) as a pro, having started his career in his homeland. However, with boxing not a mainstream sport in Sweden, the 30-year-old has been lured to the UK after teaming up with promoter Hobson and business associate Steve Crump, and is now residing in Sheffield, under the tutelage of Towers.
Towers, who has been involved in the training of a number of top fighters since finishing his own pro career, is excited about launching his Scandinavian charge on the UK. With their partnership currently thriving, Richard know its early days but has seen enough already in the lightweight prospect to believe he will be involved in some big nights of boxing in the future.
“I started off training the kids in Brendan’s gym,” explained Richard about his coaching journey. “Then I went over to train with the Klitschkos. I got to know Manny Steward quite well, and he showed me a few pointers, and that really got me thinking about the technical side of boxing. I went to train with Adam Booth who is a scientist in the game, he’s brilliant at what he does. He gave me an understanding of everything I’ve learnt along the way. I was helping Adam with Andy Lee ahead of his title fight with Matvey Korobov, and with his spectacular KO of John Jackson in Madison Square Garden. And we played quite a significant joint team part in that – I’m sure they wouldn’t mind me saying. I learned such a lot from the experiences, and it gave me such a keen interest in the coaching side of things. All three of them – Brendan [Ingle], Adam and Emanuel – are fantastic coaches.
“So, I got into coaching and have helped with some great fighters like Ryan Burnett, Andy Lee, Josh Kelly, and Harlem Eubank. When I came back to Sheffield more permanently, Dave Coldwell invited me to his gym and I’ve watched him with Tony [Bellew], Anthony Fowler, Jordan Gill, and it’s just unfolded how it was all supposed to happen. I remember Brendan lining me, Junior Witter, Kell Brook, Kid Galahad and some of his other fighters up. He went down everyone and said they were either going to be British, European or world champion – then when he got to me he said, ‘You’ll make a fantastic coach!’ He saw qualities in me that I weren’t experienced or educated enough to see. But that just made me know that I am made for this.
“I’m really excited about working with Redouane. He had over 170 amateur fights and only lost about 15. So, he’s got significant experience having boxed internationally for Sweden against Cubans, Americans, and Russians. I got talking to him via an introduction from Dennis Hobson. He’s spent some time in the Mayweather gym training with them, and he’s a lot more powerful than his record suggests. He’s just got one stoppage so far, but he much more powerful than that. I thought when I saw him that I can do something with this guy, but – of course – only time will tell. He’s doing everything I’ve asked of him though, he’s just been sparring with Michael Conlan, Harlem Eubank, and Lucian Reid. So, he’s had good sparring ahead of his UK debut. There’s some good fighters on the card, but I really think Redouanye will steal the show.”
Dennis Hobson Promotions, in association with JJ Crump, present an evening of boxing at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on March 15. Topping the bill will be Sheffield’s Tommy Frank and Belfast’s Luke Wilton contesting the vacant Commonwealth super-flyweight Title.
Appearing on the undercard will be Manchester’s Michael Gomes Jr; Sheffield’s Kane Salvin, Keanen Wainwright; Chris Dutton, and Sufyaan Ahmed; and Sweden’s Redouane Kaya.
For ticket information, call 0114 243 4443.
The show will be televised live on Freesports (Freeview 95, Freesat 252, Sky 422, BT 95, Talk Talk 95, Virgin 553).
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