Nepalese-born boxer Minaaz Gurung will make history on Saturday night when he becomes the first fighter from his homeland to challenge for a Midlands title.
The 23-year-old from Nuneaton, whose grandfather was a Gurkha soldier, is bidding to be crowned Midlands Area super-lightweight champion when he takes on Nottingham’s Joe Underwood-Hughes at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre on September 13.
Born in Hong Kong to Nepalese parents, Gurung moved to Warwickshire at the age of four and has called the town home ever since. Fiercely proud of both his roots and the community that raised him, the unbeaten prospect says victory this weekend would make headlines thousands of miles away.
‘I’ve got Nepalese people from back home following me on social media,’ he explained. ‘Once I have won this title that should grow. I don’t think there’s ever been a professional boxing champion from Nepal before. They like MMA in Nepal, but I think boxing is better and I want people there to follow me.’
Gurung, who fights under the guidance of coach Lee Spare – a 2004 ABA light-heavyweight finalist – has made an explosive start to his career, winning all five of his professional contests. He believes his success is down to a bloodline steeped in toughness and courage.
‘Grandad was highly ranked in the Gurkhas,’ he said proudly. ‘He has done a lot for Nepalese people in the local community. Fighting is in my blood and I’m showing the Gurkha spirit every time I get in the ring.’
Nepalese-born boxer Minaaz Gurung will make history on Saturday night when he becomes the first fighter from his homeland to challenge for a Midlands title
The 23-year-old, whose grandfather was a Gurkha soldier, is bidding to be crowned Midlands Area super-lightweight champion when he takes on Joe Underwood-Hughes
That fighting spirit will be tested by 28-year-old Underwood-Hughes, a 10-4 puncher with a reputation for relentless aggression. But Gurung insists he will rise to the occasion.
‘He looks aggressive and when he starts throwing punches I will catch him,’ Gurung said. ‘As soon as he feels my punch he will go on the back foot and I will chase him down. I’m not looking to score points and run – I’m going to put on a show. I’m going to make history.’
The bout has captured the imagination of Nuneaton’s Nepalese community – one of the largest in the country – and Gurung expects a noisy travelling army of fans on fight night. ‘I’ve got a lot of people coming and I want to make it worth their while,’ he said.
His rise has also been noticed in Nepal, where MMA fighter Rabindra Dhant is making waves. Gurung wants to match that success and inspire a generation of Nepalese youngsters to lace up the gloves.
‘Rabindra is doing big things in MMA and I want to catch him up,’ he said. ‘I want people in Nepal to notice me as well.’
Though deeply connected to his heritage, Gurung is equally grateful for the opportunities his family found in Britain. ‘Grandad was in the Gurkhas in the UK and dad was thinking of his family’s future when he brought us here,’ he said. ‘Dad took a chance because in the UK you can achieve things.’
Now, with history beckoning, Gurung is determined to repay that faith by becoming a Midlands champion and putting Nepalese boxing firmly on the map.
