Leytonstone boxer Philip Bowes says he is taking control of his own career instead of being pushed around after starting 2016 with a points win over Fonz Alexander on Saturday.

Bowes (11-2) secured the victory over the 27-year-old from Newark at York Hall and is now waiting patiently for his third shot at the Southern Area super-lightweight title.

The southpaw has seen two cracks at the strap end in defeats to Joe Hughes and Johnny Coyle and is keen to make up for his lost time.

But he won’t be forced into taking fights he doesn’t feel are beneficial for his career.

“Most people wouldn’t fight for back-to-back titles but the opportunities were there so I took them with both hands,” said Bowes.

“I’m managing my career now in the sense of picking and choosing fights. I’m not saying ‘yes sir’ and taking every fight because I’m told to.”

Bowes expects to return to the ring on April 16 at York Hall but accepts he might have to wait a little longer for another title shot.

“I want to get back in line for the Southern Area title but it’s not as straightforward as that,” he said. “You’ve got to see who’s fighting for it and who’s next in line.”

He continued: “It’s all about the British Boxing Board of Control sanctioning the fight.

“The people who are mandatory need to fight or step aside. People say to me: ‘Get a title fight’. But they don’t know the politics that go on behind the scenes.”