Boxing: Monir Miah from Hamer Boxing Club through to North West Final

17-year-old Monir Miah from Hamer Boxing Club travelled to Tameside Elite Boxing Club, Stalybridge to meet the vastly experienced Thomas Strong of Middleton Select in the 64kg weight category of the North West Regional Semi-Finals on Sunday 27 January.

On the sound of the first bell both boxers came out looking to use their jabs whilst finding their range, when suddenly the Middleton lad unloaded a powerful left hand to the chin of the Hamer boxer.

The punch was a wake up call for Monir and he immediately replied with two bursts of combination punches to both the body and head, followed by an over-hand right to the jaw before moving out of range.

Strong began to force the action but every time he threw a one-two combination, Monir stepped out of range before stepping back to land an over-hand right to the chin.

When Strong did manage to force Monir onto the ropes, it was Monir who landed the better blows and with only ten seconds to go in the round Monir pinned his opponent onto the ropes to land more hurtful punches.                                      

In round two Strong began to show his vast experience as he began to dictate the fight as he forced Monir around the ring with swift, long armed one-two combinations.

When both boxers did collide and fight up close, it was Monir who gained the advantage with his swift punches.

By this time the Hamer youngster was showing signs of tiredness due to the extreme work rate he had put in and he continued to back off his opponent by moving around the ring whilst hoping to land his powerful right hand.

Strong pushed forward as he landed his punches and for one moment it looked as though Monir was going to allow his opponent to take the round, when he suddenly landed two terrific right-hand punches to the jaw of Strong, which immediately delighted the crowd in the room. 

Strong was clearly hurt and as he stayed upon the ropes, Monir moved in to unload more hurtful punches.

Both boxers were tired in the third and last round.

Strong continued to force the pace, throwing his one two combinations and Monir stepped back out of range before stepping back in to land punches of his own.

Half way through the round the Hamer lad landed a fantastic right hand and Strong's head shot back from the power of the punch and when the bell rang to end the contest it was the Hamer lad whose hand he held high, with a unanimous decision in his favour to progress into the North West Final.                                                                     

Hamer coach Steven Connellan said: "We knew from the off that we had it to do with this lad.

“Strong was very experienced with 23 victories and only nine defeats compered to Monir who has had only eight bouts.

“Monir worked hard in the gym throughout the winter holidays and it paid off as he landed the most significant punches to take a terrific win.”

The busy weekend for Hamer Amateur Boxing club started on Saturday 26 January, when they also travelled to Salford Boxing Club with two young, up and coming eleven-year-old boxers named Austin Henegan and Ben Braddock.

Both boxers showed marvellous talent and technique when competing in skills bouts (where no result is announced)against Layton Marshall and Charlie Downs of Salford Boxing Club.