It’s been almost four decades since former national pro boxing champion Jim Bowen hung up his gloves, but in November the 70-year-old Helensburgh resident will return to the ring at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast.
With last year’s Games cancelled due to Covid, Jim has appointed 2022 the year of the comeback. After all, his first comeback, at the age of 30, saw him take out the Australian Super Bantamweight title, which he held several times over the following two years.
Having boxed professionally on and off since the age of 18, Jim is certain his years of experience will be beneficial at the Masters Games.
“[The age division] is 60 to 80, so I’m hoping to get the 80-year-olds,” Jim said with a laugh.
“I can still throw punches pretty good, but as far as copping it on the chin – obviously I’m older than I was when I was Australian champion 40 years ago.
“I’m confident I can dish it out.”
Over recent weeks, Jim’s 29-year-old neighbour, solicitor John Pappas, has become his designated pad holder during weekly training sessions.
“I need a week to recover – he hits my hands too hard,” John said, laughing.
Jim was apologetic though: “I’ve said, ‘Look, please forgive me if my timing’s out and I hit you on the chin. Please don’t pick me up and throw me over the fence’.”
Coincidentally, John will also be on the Gold Coast in early November competing in a top-level sporting event: the 2022 International Powerlifting League (IPL) Drug Tested World Championships.
“It was just weird, the chance of us both being in the Gold Coast within a week of each other,” John said. He regularly competes in powerlifting events, and recorded impressive lifts in the sport’s three disciplines – squat, bench press and deadlift – at this year’s Australian Powerlifting League Drug Tested Nationals in June.
“It’s something I’ve done for 12 or so years now,” he said. “It’s good stress relief.”
With his wife Amy and three-year-old twins Hunter and Mia joining him for support, John is hoping to bring home another title.
Perhaps the Illawarra can soon lay claim to two new local champions in two very tough sports.
