Final words to fuel Matt Bowen’s Rugby League Rivals All Stars bout with Craig Gower

One of the last things Matt Bowen’s father-in-law said to him was a message of defiance and inspiration, one which will dictate how he approaches his forthcoming challenge.

One of the last things Matt Bowen’s father-in-law said to him was a message of defiance and inspiration, one which will dictate how he approaches his forthcoming challenge.

“You better not get beaten”.

Now with his All Stars boxing preparation building in intensity, every time he trains, every time he spars, the Cowboys legend will have those words pulsing through his mind.

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In early January, Malcolm Doyle tragically lost his battle with cancer, but the passionate St. George-Illawarra fan was remembered in endearing fashion.

Former NRL legend Matt Bowen has been fuelled by his father-in-law’s words ahead of his All Stars boxing bout. Picture: Evan Morgan

Bowen shed the North Queensland colours which made him one of the most revered faces in rugby league, and decked his children in the Red V kit for their grandfather’s funeral in Rockhampton last week.

While the family ordeal temporarily halted his training for the Rugby League Rivals All Stars fight night in Townsville, the veteran of 270 NRL games has an even more resounding reason to walk away with his gloves pointed to the ceiling.

Bowen said it was not just that he will not lose: he cannot lose.

Former NRL legend Matt Bowen (right), sparring with Aaron Stahl, is getting back into his All Stars Boxing preparation at Hawks Gym. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I saw him when we were down there and he said ‘you better not get beaten’, so that will be going through my head the whole time — throughout the fight and this training — not to let him down,” he said.

“Every time we went down there (to Rockhampton) to see them he always tried to get me to play for St. George, and he had the best send off last week.

“He was decked out in St. George gear, the casket was even St. George and he wanted everyone to be in St. George gear.

“It was a red and white send off, and a very special one, and no doubt he’ll be up there looking down on us.”

Boxing is not a completely foreign concept to Bowen, having sparred with several of Hawks Gym owner Dennis Clancy’s prodigies during his NRL days and taken part in the occassional charity fight.

During those times he would regularly go to the Upper Ross PCYC and engage with a brand of fitness that completely contrasts from what rugby league had instilled in him.

Former NRL legend Matt Bowen is getting back into his All Stars Boxing preparation at Hawks Gym. Picture: Evan Morgan

On the February 12 showcase at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Bowen will come face-to-face with Craig Gower — the Penrith Panthers premiership winner who he roomed with for the 2004 Kangaroos tour.

Despite having remained on the field since retiring from elite sport, lining up for Western Lions in the Townsville and District Rugby League, he admits this camp would be far different to what he endured in the NRL.

There is no bad blood between he and his imminent rival from their days on the field, but that will fail to quell Bowen’s desire to emerge from the conflict triumphantly.

“I spent six weeks with him (Gower) so I’m sure one night won’t be any different,” Bowen said with a laugh.

Matt Bowen will take on Craig Gower, his one-time roommate back on the 2004 Kangaroos tour. Picture: Evan Morgan

“He’s a pretty good bloke, but we’ll see what happens on the fight night. He was a little mongrel on the field, a bit of a grubby bloke, so there’ll be no difference in the ring.

“It’s just different fitness, you can do as much running as you can, rugby league and tackling, but once you jump in that ring you’re by yourself and someone else and it’s a totally different sport.

“It’s another challenge for me to stay fit and probably get my head punched in … (but) all the fighters they’ve put together and matched up I think is pretty much even; I can’t wait.”

Originally published as Final words to fuel Matt Bowen’s Rugby League Rivals All Stars bout with Craig Gower