It’s Gurung’s time to shine in first title bid

Gurung and Underwood Hughes come face to face. Pic: Aidan Hewitt

THE blue touchpaper has been lit, it’s now simply a case of stepping back and waiting for the explosion when Minaaz Gurung bids for his first title.

On Saturday, on Scott Murray’s big show at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock, Gurung faces Joe Underwood Hughes for the vacant Midlands super-lightweight belt.

The Nepal born Nuneaton boxer gets his chance after only five bouts. Nottingham’s Hughes has had 14 (four losses).

“It’s a cracking fight,” said promoter Scott. “And Minaaz has such a great cover story – he’s Nepalese, his grandfather was a Gurkha and he lives in a Nepalese community in Nuneaton.

“I watched him sparring at the weekend and he did a good paced 10 rounds.”

Manager Jon Pegg said: “Yes, it’s a tough fight, but fights for the Midlands title should be tough.”

Trainer Lee Spare, who has two other fighters on the show, believes the time is perfect for the 23-year-old’s big push.

“I think Minaaz is ready for it, he’s been ticking along nicely,” he told me. “He’s ready for the step-up.

“It’s a good test on his journey. He’s more composed now, he’s settled down, he’s not rushing things. Before, he got a bit close, now he’s thinking about opening up the target.”

It’s been a title shot that has encountered difficulties along the way.

Governing body the Boxing Board of Control had called on Gurung and Tipton’s Conor Baker to meet for the belt.

When Baker was unable to accommodate the Leisure Centre show, the hunt for a replacement began.

And in Underwood-Hughes they’ve found a very capable replacement. Make no mistake, it’s a gamble.

The 28-year-old has arena show experience and only failed to hear the final bell once. He took hot prospect Cameron Vuong the eight round distance at Wembley.

Hughes’ only real bad night was supplied by Clayton Bricknell, a Wolverhampton boxer who has lost more than he’s won and is not considered a “lights out” puncher.

Anyone can be caught cold.

At the press conference to promote the fight, Minaaz said: “I respect him as a fighter, but I’m coming to show I’m the boy.”

Hughes admitted to knowing nothing about Gurung. “I didn’t know he was Nepalese until I sat next to him,” he said. “It’s a belt and a stepping stone to another belt – that’s why I took the fight. I came back from holiday, this was offered and I took it.”

Leo Fanthome and Ashlee Eales are the other two boxers on the bill from Spare’s gym.

Exciting Fanthome, from Redditch, is pitted against  Ryan Frost, a Colchester southpaw who has won two of 10.

Former Midlands champ Eales has a change of opponent. He was scheduled to meet Stoke’s tough Jamie Stewart, but that’s gone south.

Into the breach steps Jake Tinklin from Risca, Wales. He has a winning, 12-5 record, but is coming off two losses on the spin.