Boxing: Former Hamer boxer Moniah Miah tastes success in his first professional fight

Moniah Miah taking his first professional contest

On Saturday 2 March, the former Hamer amateur boxer Moniah “Real Money” Miah travelled to The University of Bolton Stadium to participate in his first ever four round welterweight professional boxing contest against 78-fight veteran Lee Hallett of Canning Town, London.

Leading up to the bout, the show was quite subdued and muted. Lee Hallett was introduced first and when the Rochdale boxer was introduced to the crowd, the whole room suddenly erupted with noise that nearly blew the roof off the building.

When the bell rang to start the first round, Miah came out of the red corner to a very loud applause from his fans, as the Rochdale boxer came out probing with his jab to find his range. As soon as Miah began to connect with his jab, he started to offload his right-hand punch to the jaw of his southpaw opponent, which brought more noise from within the room from his delighted fans. As the fight progressed Miah slowly began to take control of the bout, as he continued to step into range against his very good defensive opponent, to unload one-two combinations before throwing hurtful body shots to the ribs of Hallett.

In the second round, Hallett was the first to take the initiative as he stepped forward with his southpaw one-two combinations. Then, suddenly the noise erupted within the room once again when Miah landed a savage hook to the abdomen of his on-coming opponent. Clearly hurt, Hallett began to back off as Miah stepped forward with his sharp one-two combinations to the head, before he stepped in close to unload his punches to the body and head of Hallett, who stood his ground as he covered up defensively as Miah continued to let his punches go. This delighted the crowd, but Hallett pushed the Rochdale boxer onto the ropes to grab hold of him until the referee stepped in to split the boxers apart. The referee stepped in again, not long after, and warned the London boxer for using his head when in close.

Towards the end of the round, Miah began to use the ring, as he threw swift combinations to the head and body of his opponent, who instantly grabbed hold of the Rochdale boxer when he stepped in close.

At the start of round three, Miah also came out with a southpaw stance, but he quickly reverted back to his orthodox stance when Hallett began to press forward, which instantly forced the London boxer onto his back foot once again when Miah began to connect. Then, quite suddenly, Hallett stayed still in a defensive stance, which allowed Miah to step in close again to unload more hurtful punches to the body, which ignited the crowd once again.

Hallett continued to cover-up whilst Miah delivered his body shots, before trying to open up himself, which the Rochdale boxer managed to slip and slide out of range from. Then the London boxer began to mock his opponent, as he smiled at Miah with his arms down, whilst beckoning the Rochdale boxer on to come and hit him, before he suddenly tried to storm into Moniah, who backed off before spinning off the ropes to unleash more hurtful blows, which got the crowd going once again.

In the fourth and final round, both boxers touched gloves, before Hallett stepped forward with his one-two combinations, which seemed to miss as Moniah stepped away upon his back foot to move around the ring. The Rochdale boxer began to connect with his uppercuts every time Hallett stepped in close with his head down, which brought out chants of “Moniah, Moniah” from around the room.

The contest was a good one and pleasing to watch, and both boxers entertained the crowd by dancing in the ring to wait for the result, which went to the professional novice from Paulinos Boxing Gym in Manchester, Moniah Miah.

Miah used his fast punching ability and skilful footwork to gain the victory on points (40-36) against a cagy and very clever defensive and offensive mature boxer in Lee Hallett.

Moniah thanked his sponsors Sidestreet Burgers, The Baytree Restaurant, Ice City Desserts and Amare Clothing for helping him in trying to achieve his goals.