Colin Howells On Harrington: “Everyone I’ve spoken to has asked me to smash the big-mouth up."
Howells has had a lifelong involvement in martial arts, training and having success in multiple art forms. The journey he has taken has seen arrive at the prestigious Gym01 in Portsmouth as the grappling coach there, and now he is looking to put it all together and have a serious crack at MMA. And where better to do so than on the biggest stage in the South, Shock N Awe!
Hi Colin, you recently took a fight on exceptionally short notice and battled your way to an impressive victory. Did you have any doubts about taking that fight on such short notice and has winning it had any effect on your confidence ahead of your Shock N Awe fight this weekend?
I was offered the fight 2 hours before the show began at Into the Cage in Andover and decided to take it as I felt I could win even though my opponent was 93kg on the day. I'm a Martial Artist and a fighter, it was a challenge and I wanted to test myself. Everyone has doubts about everything but if you let it get the better of you it's going to be difficult to achieve anything that seems difficult. My real worry was the McDonald's breakfast, Quarter pounder meal, Costa Cappuccino and caramel shortbread I had before Brian asked if I wanted to take the fight! I was a little annoyed with my performance but I came away with the win which is most important. It helped me taking the fight as I shook out some ring rust and realized my potential, so I'm very confident for Shock N Awe.
And how has preparation in general been going ahead of your fight at Shock N Awe 11?
My prep for the fight has been good. I've managed to train 2-3 times a week. I had to slow things down to make it fair for Fred. To be fair though, this week I've stopped drinking so I am taking it serious. I'm hoping to put on a good show and surprise a lot of people and maybe shut the mouths of those who didn't believe in me.
As the grappling coach down at Gym01 there are some obvious assumptions to be made about where your strengths lay! Are there likely to be any surprises in your approach to this fight?
As I said before, I'm a martial artist, I've studied longer in other arts than I have in grappling, I can do it all. What I do in the cage is an accumulation of all the styles I've studied over the years from Catch Wrestling to Capoeira, I'm comfortable with anything. There will always be surprises in my fights though, that's the type of fighter I am!
Your opponent Fred Harrington has gone 3-0 as a professional and is a well-respected fighter! Is this a bit of a jump in to the deep-end for someone that has only just debuted on the pro-stage?
Definitely not! And everyone will see that come July 14th. I've technically been a pro since 2007 when I had my first fight, as I said before I've trained for many years. I've held my mouth for 2 months so it's time to mention I rate Fred 'FURRY' Harrington as having a 1-0 record as his other 2 'fights' were in-house MMA bouts selected by his coach, who was also the promoter of the show.
I don't know anyone who respects 'Furry' Fred or his fight team in any capacity, everyone I've spoken to has asked me to smash the big-mouth up! I've got more friends in Bournemouth than he has and the clown lives there!
He has spoken a lot of shit since this fight was announced so I hear. I've been in some tough situations in my life, been shot at and stabbed; also growing up in Portsmouth was a violent place. Does he really think he's going to intimidate me? This has done nothing but make me train harder.
You have quite an extensive past with regards to your participation in various martial arts...is there an ultimate aim for you in the world of MMA or is this just something that makes sense for you at the moment?
I want the belt. I want to take this as far as I can, life is too short and this all makes perfect sense, some positive changes and people in my life have given me a real positive outlook on things. I have an amazing gym on my doorstep where I'm lucky enough to teach and train, have great training partners and amazing coaches to help me. MMA is the pinnacle of martial arts competition and those who compete in it are a special breed. Armchair critics and Keyboard warriors should think about this especially.
There are a lot of exciting match-ups on this event, as has become the norm with Shock N Awe. Besides your own fight, which fight will have the fans on the edge of their seats?
I feel that most of the fights will be edge of the seat stuff. If I'm to choose one it would be Danny Compton vs Rocci Wiliams! They are both bangers and I've never seen Rocci be in a boring fight. Shock N Awe is pure dope!
Is there a message you would like to send to your opponent?
I have to give him full respect for getting in the cage and putting it on the line against me which is something his coach Jimmy was scared to do, I wouldn't want to fight me either! However the respect ends there. I know Jimmy pulled out "injured" but he was training hard 1 week after according to one of his students. He bottled it and has put Fred in instead. What type of coach does that?
Gym01 itself has a huge and still growing reputation, most famously for its smaller fighters! Who down there is giving you the toughest time as you prepare?
Even the lighter beasts give me a hard time! Brian always puts me with the biggest guys in the gym though, Cheers Brian!
I get pushed hard by Mike Ling, Luke Killick, Michal Rosenbaum, Matt Hughes, Stuart Rickman, Mok Rahmen and also Gym 01's wrestling coach Neil Hughes. They all help me be the best I can be.
I consider everyone I've mentioned there to be a much better fighter than Fred so I'm very confident in my abilities wherever the fight goes.
Are there any shout-outs that you would like to make?
Yeah, a few. I want to thank Gareth and Brian for believing in me and giving me a shot in the gym as a head coach. My coach Vitor Shaolin for giving me the words and motivation to help me believe in myself. Brian's amazing coaching, and for giving me extra attention, even if he's not doing that, it feels like it. Coach Alex de Souza's for his on-going support.
All the guys at the gym, those who fight and those who train, thank you for pushing me and being great team mates. My BJJ guys who keep me motivated and keep winning medals! You guys are a big part of my journey! My family and friends who always support me and believe in me 100% and those who never gave up on me you know who you are. I would also like to thanks my sponsors at Battle-ready.tv.
And now Colin, for the all-important question! Outside of MMA what are you addicted to?
My friends, my family, and being happy and successful!
For more information on Shock N Awe please follow the link:
www.shocknawe.co.uk
Image 1 and 2 provided with permission by Little Red Creative
The full card for Shock N Awe 11
MAIN CARD
Pro MMA Main Event - British Bantamweight Title U135lbs
Davey Grant 6.1.0. vs James 'The Power Weasel' Pennington 6.0.0.
Pro MMA Co-Main Event - British Welterweight Title U170lbs
Alexei "BOOM" Roberts 6.2.0. vs Andy Kerr 4.2.0.
Pro MMA U155lbs Lightweight
Jason Cooledge 4.2.0. vs Lee "Hercules" Taylor 3.4.0.
Pro MMA U170lbs Welterweight
Fred "Fury" Harrington 3.0.0. vs Colin Howells 2.0.0
Pro MMA U170lbs Welterweight
Rocci Williams 5.10.0. vs Danny Compton 2.3.0.
Pro MMA U125lbs Flyweight
Karl Harrison 3.3.0. vs "GI" Joe Laurence 3.2.0.
Pro MMA U185lbs Middleweight
Kieran Rice 2.0.0. vs Luke Killick 0.0.0.
Pro MMA U170lbs Welterweight
Damien Forgie 2.0.0. vs Paul Rocha. 9.6.0.
Pro MMA U135lbs Bantam weight
Danny Pearson 0.3.0. vs Paddy Moore 4.3.0.
Pro MMA U170lbs Welterweight
AJ Russell 0.1.0. vs Adam Fyfe 0.0.0.
Pro MMA U135lbs Bantamweight
Brett Healy 0.3.0. vs Brett O'brien 2.1.0.
UNDERCARD
Semi Pro MMA U75kg Catch weight
Ben Carr 3.0.0. vs Matt "Short Fuze" Hughes 5.1.0.
Semi Pro MMA U135lbs Bantamweight
Jamie Pritchard 5.2.0. vs Anton DeFreitas 3.2.0.
Semi Pro MMA U170lbs Welterweight
Gareth Millar 2.0.0. vs Manuel Pais 1.0.0.
K1 U63kg Catch weight
Damien "Damo" Weeden 2.0.0. vs Martin Avery 2.0.0.
Semi Pro MMA U125lbs Flyweight
Ben Harrison 4.4.0. vs Brett Caswell 1.0.0.
K1 U66kg Catch weight (On the day weigh in)
Johnny Cromwell 0.0.0. vs Joe Loudof 1.1.0.
Semi Pro MMA U155lbs Lightweight
Chris Siddall 1.1.0. vs Sam Rea 0.0.0.
K1 U74kg Catch weight (On the day weigh in)
Nigel Marchant 0.0.0. vs Jamie Hawkhead 3.1.0.
Please note the fight card can change at ANY time.
Published by Ruarie Farrelly - Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:23
