Former world champion boxer and 1988 Olympian, John Lowey has embarked on a new chapter in life as a local taxi driver in his native Northern Ireland.
After achieving success in the ring, including being crowned the IBO super-bantamweight world champion in 1995, Lowey now enjoys a quieter life behind the wheel, transporting pensioners around his local community just outside Belfast.
The 57-year-old who lives a private and family-oriented life, divides his time between his taxi shifts during the morning rush hour, quality moments spent with his elderly parents, and precious time with his four grown-up children and grandchildren.
Lowey shared, “I taxi for a private taxi firm. It’s my own private car. When I came back from the States, I had a Mercedes C-Class, an E-Class, and a BMW; now I’ve got a Skoda Octavia.
“I don’t work in my hometown Dundonald. If Joe Bloggs calls and asks for a lift, I’ll do it, but I don’t want that to be involved with my work. I’ll drop people off. I like to help people,” he added.
His clients during the day mainly include pensioners, people commuting to work or school, and other members of the local community.
Lowey revels in his early mornings, daily runs, trips to the gym, and the flexibility to assist others or spend time with his loved ones.
His life now offers a balance that he enjoys, which includes paddle-boarding and “mature” holidays he couldn’t enjoy during his competitive boxing career.
He is content with his peaceful life and upcoming travels, unfazed by the big boxing matches taking place elsewhere.
Reflecting on his boxing career, Lowey further noted, “Boxing was a chapter in my book. I’m on another page now; I’ve moved on. I don’t miss boxing. While I did it, I enjoyed it. That was part of my life, but it’s not part of my life now.”