At some point, every fighter faces a gut check. How they respond to the first sign of resistance can tell more about a new professional than 10 one-sided knockout wins.

Aaron Bowen is only six fights into his career but the middleweight from Coventry in England has already proven his heart and determination.

Bowen (6-0, 4 KOs) is a two-time national champion and claimed a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games but hasn’t had the smooth introduction to professional boxing that other accomplished amateurs enjoy.

The 26-year-old has already had to overcome a severe hip injury and then spent months combining his training with work as a tree surgeon and an event technician.

In the ring, Bowen hasn’t had things his own way either. Every one of his professional opponents has had a winning record and his love of a fight has turned what could - and maybe should - have been routine victories into watchable, exciting spectacles. He has already picked himself up off the floor to win a five-round war with James Todd.

Bowen takes on Argentina's Carlos Ronner (7-5, 2 KOs) in Belfast this weekend. The fight makes up part of the undercard for the vacant IBF welterweight title fight between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, streamed globally by DAZN.

“I can't wait to get to the Midlands, English and British titles because I think that's when you'll see the best of me,” Bowen told The Ring.

“Coming from such a high amateur level, these are just learning fights now and I can't wait to show people. If they don't know me now, they will. I’ve just got to be patient, stick with it and just keep learning each fight.”

The first two years of Bowen’s career have been exciting and unpredictable but he knows that it isn’t a sustainable way to go about his business.

Bowen has already proven that he won’t be found wanting when the going gets tough but if he is to be successful at major title level, that approach will need to be his fall back option rather than his preferred plan of attack.

Don’t expect him to settle in behind his jab and box his way to a safety first decision when he faces Ronner this weekend but Bowen knows the time has come to begin trading more on his boxing ability. For the time being at least.

“That's what this next one is about,” he said.

“We’re looking to show a bit of skill and a bit of patience. Show my class a little bit but also dig them shots in. I think the excitement, that's just me. That's how I spar.

”I've got to be cleverer though as I'm stepping up the levels - and for longevity as well - but I always know I can go there, so that's a nice box to tick. I’ve got to get a nice controlled win, look good and relaxed doing it.”

Rivalries have always been big business but in the modern age of professional boxing when one heated argument or a single viral clip can elevate a fighter from an anonymous spot on the prelims to a prominent role on a major card, they can be crucial.

Lots of young fighters would shy away from early comparisons and conflict, preferring to spend some time establishing themselves and creating their own profile rather than having their future tied to another boxer.

Bowen isn’t one of them. Fortunately, he has a number of natural, potential opponents.

In 2022, his semi-final fight with Taylor Bevan was declared the Commonwealth Games' best bout. Bevan has made an instant impact as a professional whilst two more of Bowen's amateur rivals - Ramtin Musah and Conner Tudsbury - have also taken the first steps in the paid ranks recently.

“I like the rivalries. I think me, Ramtin, Taylor and all the boxers around our age and cycle watched people like James DeGale and George Groves and Carl Froch and Groves, the list goes on. That's what I grew up watching, That's what got me into boxing, these British domestic rivalries.

“I’d love to be a part of that and I think Taylor will be one. There’s Ramtin. There might even be more. You’ve got Tudsbury at light heavyweight. I’d love to have a rivalry, a derby and that mega fight for a British or European title. That’s what we're in it for, so I'd love that.”