BOSTON — John Howard has a busy Sunday night ahead of him.
The Dorchester native will seek to end his two-fight losing streak when he takes on Lorenz Larkin in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 59 at TD Garden, but that’s not the only thing on his mind. Howard’s also worried about cheering on his New England Patriots, who play the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game on the same night.
While Howard still might want to set his DVR, he’s already done the math, and if all goes according to plan, he won’t miss a second of Tom Brady and Co.
“I’ve actually got a little secret,” Howard, sporting a Patriots stocking cap, told reporters at Friday’s media day in Faneuil Hall. “At halftime is when I fight, so as soon as it’s done and over with, I’m running back to watch the game. So I’m not missing nothing.”
Howard, who said he once broke Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s nose while the two were sparring at his gym in Allston, yelled out a hearty “Boston Strong” to the crowd before UFC president Dana White squared him off against Larkin. The 28-year-old certainly has the city on his side, and he was reminded of that fact with all of the Boston gear he saw fans rocking at the event.
“It feels great, man,” Howard said when asked about fighting in his hometown. “I look around and see all the Patriots hats, Red Sox, Bruins, you know, it’s awesome.”
But things could get more awesome for Howard if he earns a win over Larkin and the Patriots do the same against the Colts on Sunday.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ZackCoxNESN
