Morecambe boxer Owen Kirk says "more sit-ups and less Dominos" after second body shot loss

Morecambe boxer Owen 'The Captain' Kirk gave an honest assessment after his second consecutive defeat to a body punch.

Kirk said he needed "more sit-ups and less Dominos" after Marcus Tomlinson knocked him out in the second round in Bolton.

The 24-year-old had suffered a first round defeat to Paddy Lacey in October from a sickening left hook to the body.

Wanting to continue to test himself against tough opposition, super middleweight Owen rebounded by going straight into a fight against the undefeated Tomlinson on Saturday night at the Toughsheet Stadium.

After a quiet opening, with Tomlinson targeting Kirk's body and Owen boxing carefully behind the jab, the Bury man opened up as he forced Kirk back to the ropes, 'The Captain' responding with a nice left hook to the jaw to close the first round.

Round 2 was shaping up nicely, with Kirk trying to stay on the outside, scoring with a sharp counter right, as Tomlinson looked to force him onto the ropes at every opportunity. 

Then Tomlinson got through with a big southpaw left. 'The Captain' fought back with a fast flurry, only to walk onto a clean right hander. Tomlinson landed another right, as Kirk tried to soak up pressure covering up on the ropes while coming back with fast combinations. But then Tomlinson suddenly switched his attack downstairs again with a hard left to the midriff under Owen's elbows. Kirk sank to a knee and was counted out.

Afterwards, Owen was in good spirits as he congratulated Tomlinson during an interview with the VIP Boxing Promotions Channel.

"Unfortunately I can't take a body shot for my life," said the charismatic Morecambe man.

"When I started, turning pro, you become a bit naive and you think you're going to dominate the world. But these guys are tough.

"That was my eighth fight tonight and I said (to promoter Steve Wood), give me the guys that you want me to go in there and have a good fight with, and if I win it, I win it, and if I don't, I'm not going to cry.

"I'm sure I gave Marcus a good round and a bit, and he's probably learned, and I've learned more sit-ups and less Dominos (pizza)!

"Next year I want to have fun and I want to fight the good guys. I definitely have to evaluate now. I might have a crack at light heavyweight, but they might be too big. I may have to stay at super middleweight and control my weight a bit better.

"The way I do it, and I'm probably doing it all wrong, I've trained hard, got super fit, and in the last week to 10 days I'll cut some serious pounds. I walk around at 190lbs, nearly. Maybe it's taken my punch resistance. It might not be that. It's no excuses, it's making me learn and realise."

Kirk is pictured here with his cornerman and trainer, Heysham boxing coach Bob Howard. Image from VIP Boxing Promotions YouTube channel.

Kirk, whose professional record is now three wins, three defeats and two draws, said he wanted to face Rhys Woods in a rematch in 2024. The two men fought to a bruising draw in the summer.

"I want Rhys Woods again, I'm calling him out," he said.

"If you think you were robbed, let's do 10 rounds this time."

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