Gurung win sparks a real Nepal knees-up

Minaaz Gurung has his hand raised by referee Chris Dean

A COLOURFUL Nepalese carnival, with banners and flags fluttering, erupted close to Birmingham Airport last night as the country’s only British based boxer registered his first stoppage win.

They cheered, they chanted following Minaaz Gurung’s ruthless fourth round demolition of usually durable Stefan Vincent at the Holiday Inn.

They evidently know how to party. Minaaz said: “My uncle picked up a chair and started waving it about – I think he got told off for that.”

For Nuneaton based Gurung, the win was a statement. Many have beaten Dorset’s Vincent, only four have stopped him in a 25 fight career. He crumbled under a blizzard of punches thrown by the man from Everest country. Make that an avalanche.

Minaaz’s family have a tradition of serving in the Gurkhas. He showed Gurkha ruthlessness.

It’s time to take light-welterweight Gurung, 10st 1lbs on the night, more seriously. And hat’s off to trainer Lee Spare who has taught Minaaz power comes with knowing precisely when to press down on the pedal. It’s about patience - force things and you falter.

I witnessed the 22-year-old’s debut – he looked green, raw, his work untidy and rushed. I didn’t see a bright future.

He was more measured and meticulous last night in his fourth paid outing, he was throwing punches in disciplined punches – anyone can flail away with both hands. He looked like he was becoming something.

Vincent wilted under a blur of punches in the third, was frozen by a mighty left hook in the fourth, then decked by a right. Referee Chris Dean rightly decided he had endured enough.

We knew Gurung had heart and stamina. Now we know he can dig.

“I’m still learning, I’m still new to the game,” Minaaz told me this morning. “Before the fight I had a big sandwich, and it didn’t sit in my stomach very well. Round one, I felt very heavy and it took two rounds for the food to digest.

“He’s a tough lad, an awkward boxer – and that’s what I want. That was the first person with the ability to box me. When that happens, you are going to see my skills, you are going to feel the power. That contest has given me real confidence.

“I’m learning to handle the power, but I want to show my boxing ability.

“I’m never going to be over confident, I’m never going to think, ‘I deserve this’. When the people around me say I’m ready, I’m ready.

“I’ll  be back in the gym – training, training, training. I don’t want to spend a career fighting journeymen. I want to face men with the same desire as me, the same fire as me. I want to be a fire extinguisher.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, I’m not going to think any greater of myself because of the knockout. I know I have the power, I want to show people my skills.

“A knockout doesn’t define me. I want to show people my skill.”