Richard Towers is determined to prove a point to British fight fans when he faces Australia’s Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne in Hull on Saturday night.
The giant Yorkshireman encountered some criticism after his June 2012 victory over awkward Frenchman Gregory Tony and has been out of the ring since.
During that time, Browne has boxed four times and turned himself into something of a fans’ favourite.
But Towers isn’t letting the doubters get to him and is relishing being the underdog for the first time in his career.
“People are overlooking me, but they don’t understand boxing,” he said.
“I’ve had a lot of criticism since the Gregory Tony fight, but I’m not in boxing to just keep fans happy, I’m in boxing to provide a solid future to my family
“You could say Lucas is the favourite. He’s got a better record than me and he’s got more knockouts, but he’s not stupid and he won’t be underestimate me. He knows I’m coming to have a fight.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time and things have happened, but now it’s come to the point where we’re going to meet and I can’t wait.”
Despite not engaging in a paid fight for almost 17 months, Towers is adamant that he is free of ring rust. In the past few months he’s sparred a who’s who of top level heavyweights and he feels that will give him the edge.
“Since my last fight I’ve sparred Wladimir Klitschko for five weeks, I’ve sparred David Haye for six weeks, I’ve sparred Chisora, Pianeta and Mike Perez. I feel like I’ve picked bits up along the way and I’m ready to execute that now.
“My trainer Dom Ingle said to me ‘Richard, you’ve sparred with better boxers than most heavyweights have fought’. I know people can say it’s only sparring, but when you get in the ring with these guys it’s a fight. They try to take your head off and I’ve got to try and take their head off or I’d get sacked.
“I just hope I can take what I’ve learnt into this fight and come out victorious.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for Lucas but I’m in this sport to demolish people and that’s what I’m going to try and do. I’m going in that ring to fight a war.
“I hope I’m at my best, I hope Lucas is at his best and I hope it’s one hell of a fight. I’m not looking to play any games so let’s have it.”
Towers and Browne star on a big night of boxing televised live Sky Sports 2 from 8pm.
