Mia keeps her poise to take landslide win

Mia with presenter Steve Bunce and world champ Richie Woodhall

BIRMINGHAM bantam Mia Hull continued her ring education on Thursday by facing an opponent who offered something she hadn’t seen before. Showboating.

On Scott Murray’s Excelsior Sporting Club, Cannock, the 21-year-old passed her second test in style. She refused to get drawn into a scrap, which was the motive behind opponent Kira Carter’s antics – stuck to the job at hand and took every session of the four rounder. Referee Kevin Carter scored 40-36.

Mia’s dad, D&A gym boss Anthony Hull, will be pleased with the discipline showed. Mia, who has adopted the ring nickname “Careless”, was cautious. She jabbed sharply, found the target with right hands and displayed good footwork.

Carter, from Leeds, played her part in a pleasing scrap, even had some success – notably in the third when she landed an eye-catching right. But the girl who calls herself “Viper” didn’t show anywhere near enough venom, she waited too long for opening. In fact, there’s not been a lot of venom unleashed in a career nudging 40 bouts without a win.

Kira shook her head in mock disdain when caught solidly, grinned, theatrically wound up her punches, even let out a whoop after connecting.

Mia, by day a dental technician, said: “I had an opponent who was showboating. I had to keep my concentration on a level because the showboating was something I wasn’t used to in the amateurs.

“I think I attacked with more authority than she did. I’m loving the journey and so grateful.”

For Hull (8st 7lbs), it was a quick return to arms after a victorious debut less than a month ago. She commanded ring centre from the start behind left leads while Carter, hands by her side, prowled.

Mia found another gear in the second, banged in a solid right and, during a spell of sustained pressure, opened up with both hands. Still precious little came back from Carter (10st 7lbs).

The visitor did come out with more ambition in the third, but was still getting picked off. A momentary lapse in concentration led to Hull copping a right, although she produced the much cleaner work.

Carter pressed in the last, Hull stayed poised and kept the straight punches coming.

Mia still has a lot to learn, but her attitude is commendable. “I call myself Careless because I don’t care who I step in the ring with,” she explained to me. “I want as many titles as I can get.”

This time next year we’ll know a lot more about Hull’s ability to fulfil that ambition.