Minaaz forced to pull out of title bill-topper
Minaaz Gurung…mourning a family loss. Picture: Aidan Hewitt
A FAMILY bereavement has forced Minaaz Gurung to withdraw from his scheduled Midlands light-welterweight title defence next month.
Nuneaton’s Gurung, the only Nepalese born pro in Britain, was to have faced Conor Baker in a mouth-watering battle of unbeatens at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre on February 7.
That date has hit the rocks following news the champ’s grandmother has died in Nepal. The country’s traditions call for a strict period of mourning by family members over a sustained period of days, Minaaz’s trainer Lee Spare explained.
The 23-year-old flies out this week to pay his respects.
Lee Spare confirmed: “Minaaz has got to go to Nepal for a period of mourning.
“He was looking good, training hard, training well – it’s one of those unfortunate things. The Nepalese culture is quite a specific one when it comes to the period of mourning. Hopefully, the fight can be re-scheduled.”
The news is a hammer blow to both boxers and promoter Scott Murray whose major show had already been hit by pull-outs.
It’s also a blow for fans. The scheduled 10 rounder looked a real cracker, pitting the skills of Tipton’s Baker, unbeaten in seven, against the raw power of the titleholder.
Gurung gave an electrifying performance in halting late sub Joe Underwood Hughes for the vacant belt at Chase Leisure Centre last September. He overcame some sticky patches to overwhelm Hughes in the sixth of a scintillating battle.
That was Minaaz’s sixth win in a row.
It’s not the first time a Midlands title fight between Gurung and Baker has gone south. The pair were originally slated to meet on that September show for the vacant belt. Back then, Baker withdrew, his place was taken by Hughes and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Baker stressed he fully understood Gurung’s decision. “He’s got to do what he’s got to do,” the 28-year-old said.
“Obviously, I’m gutted because I had that date in my head. It’s boxing – things happen, there are always hurdles. Hopefully, a new date comes.”