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“Boxing has helped me a lot in my life though, to centre my natural aggression and to build me physically and emotionally. I think it has had a massive impact on my character too, always wanting to be bigger, stronger and smarter than my opponents.”

FIGHT SCENE CATCH UP WITH KIERAN GETHING

“I Started boxing at 12 years of age. My brother took part in a session and was getting bullied by other kids there. Being the older brother I wanted to help, but in reality I was a bit of a wimp and couldn’t do so much!”

In a domain where violent prowess is the key to victory and weakness the poison for failure, there is an idiom that every fighter should know.

‘ It’s not about getting knocked down, it’s about getting back up ‘

Kieran Gething’s (9-2-1) start to professional boxing took a turbulent beginning, whereby his first three contests were shared over each of his tally’s: 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. It was by no means a disastrous start, but it was something that the prospect from Pontypool was hoping would take a stronger path.

Fast-forward to June 2019, and Gething’s shaky beginning seems a distant memory, after capturing the Welsh Super Lightweight Championship in just 10 fights.

Along Gething’s journey to domestic kingship, there were dazzling performances against classy operators, where the 25-year-old displayed tactful development and a real ability to box with intelligence. But rather than credit one of his two stoppage victories as his most important outing as a professional, Gething regards his loss to Tony Dixon (10-2) as the underlying recipe for his incredible turnaround.

“The (Tony) Dixon fight is definitely my favourite. I learned a hell of a lot about myself and the sport in my losses, and how I need to approach contests. I wouldn’t say losing is a good thing because it feels terrible, but it definitely helps you grow and improve as a fighter. I knew that fight was a hell of a watch and I really enjoyed being a part of it.”

Gething’s battle against the former Super-Lightweight Champion (Dixon) was a bout which had everything in abundance. It was a fight in which Gething, despite losing on the scorecards, displayed both an ability to box and a willingness to trade leather against a formidable opponent. After settling into a six-fight win streak since his initial loss in March 2017, it was also Gething’s first opportunity to achieve silverware as a prizefighter. The Pontypool boxer’s personal narrative was beginning to take a similar shape to the late Bernard Hopkins (55-8-2), whom despite losing his professional debut would go on to capture three world championships and become one of the sports most formidable contestants.

After failing to get the nod from the judges however, Gething would fall short for the second time in his career. But rather than stew in the bitterness of defeat at an important stage in his career, Gething found value in defeat and has since showed the resilience needed for a long reign as champion.

“I’ve learned so many things, from knowing my own body and how to make weight easier to learning how to pace a fight differently and how to deal with injuries. I know when I need to peak as a professional fighter”.

After falling short against Dixon in his first attempt at the Welsh title, Gething channelled his inner Rocky and took on Henry Janes in February 2019 for the vacant Super Lightweight strap, this time emerging triumphant in a unanimous victory. Yet again, the Welsh fighter displayed an incredible ability to learn from past misfortunes and in doing so has culminated a prestigious domestic title in just 10 fights as a professional.

This was never the endgame for Gething however. Despite his miraculous start to life as a professional, the 25-year-old looks ahead to a Commonwealth clash in the near future.

“I’d like to fight for the British and Commonwealth title now, the winner of Akeem Ennis-Brown and Philip Bowes appeals to me. I want to be world champion”.

The number thirteen proved it’s notoriety once again for being an unlucky sum as Super-

Lightweight Champion Kieran Gething was held to a draw in his thirteenth professional contest.

Capable challenger: Jeff Ofori (10-1) was faced with the task of boxing the Pontypool champion

off the back of a convincing defence against Craig Woodruff in June, but much to the surprise of

the champion, Ofori was able to grind out a split decision draw.

“I definitely thought I’d done enough to win so I’m not very happy with the outcome of the fight.

I thought I did a really good job of keeping Ofori long and controlling the pace throughout the

rounds” said a frustrated Gething.

Despite the judges being unable to separate the two combatants, Gething still holds his BBBoC

Welsh title and once again gains valuable experience on the road to potential stardom. Now 9-

2-2, the Welsh prizefighter continues his reign over domestic competition and continues to

develop all areas of his game, one which hasn’t been short of setbacks.

“Looking back on it, I did actually think the fight went well. There wasn’t a game-plan as such

against an opponent like Ofori because he was so unorthodox but I was still able to keep him at

range and do enough to win the rounds. To get the victory taken away by a referee’s nod is

frustrating but I’m sure in myself I did enough to win”.

As many previous champions have shown, even the best of the best in Muhammad Ali, these

very setbacks are often the secret recipe for future success, and if there’s anything to judge

Gething’s growth on, it’s how he is able to come back stronger from pivotal moments in his

career time and time again.

Gething still holds the marbles in Welsh super-lightweight boxing, and is eager to test himself

against the best there is to offer.

The very best fighters all suffer defeat in one way or another. Albeit there are anomalies like the great Rocky Marciano, the skillful Floyd Mayweather, and Gething’s native Welshman: Joe Calzaghe, sometimes the greatest lessons a fighter can experience are in defeat. For Gething, there has been no excuses, only improvement. Now the acclaimed Welsh Super-Lightweight Champion, the future is looking increasingly prosperous for the man who just doesn’t take no for an answer.

Gething: “I feel the best I have in 12 months or more and look forward to showing you!!”

Watch Kieran Gething Promo HERE

Read more on Border Bobcat HERE

Boxing has really helped with my confidence and has brought me out of my shell much more as an individual”.

They often say, “don’t meet your heroes”. Often people are disappointed, they are left wondering why they are so different to what they envisioned, why they didn’t fulfil their expectations and how they became ordinary once the initial excitement passed.

Much like many other fighters who grew up idolizing the sport’s most famed athletes, from the mainstream to the niche, from the Muhammad Alis and Mike Tysons to the Emanuel Augustus’ and Dave Allens, Jake Tinklin (6-0) grew up hoping he would one day be as good, if not better than his native idol: Gavin Rees (38-4-1).

The professional fighter from Risca (Tinklin) came from a boxing family who were accomplices of the former Welsh world champion (Rees) and ever since Tinklin was a youngster he had wanted to follow tradition.

“I first got involved in boxing through my father’s friend: Jamie Weetch. At the time he was a well-known amateur from Cwmcarn ABC and has now moved to Australia and competes as a pro. Me and my other five siblings got introduced to the head coach: Gary Butcher and we’ve never looked back since! Boxing has really helped with my confidence and has brought me out of my shell much more as an individual”.

After getting his first taste for the sport in the Welsh amateur circuit, Tinklin quickly began to develop and attract the attention of domestic coaches looking for a prospect to start working with. It wouldn’t be long before the young and ambitious Tinklin would yield the attention of his idol, and now trainer.

Gavin Rees: “I’ve known Jake’s family all of my life and that’s how I first came to meet him. I’ve been working with him for four years now, we’ve been very unlucky not to get Welsh titles in the amateurs and Jake (Tinkin) has boxed a load of brilliant lads. I think the pro system suits his game to a tee, he might be used to the fast 3-round pace of the amateurs but once he settles into the 6-8 rounds he’ll really do well”.

The 22-year-old welterweight had the early ambition to be recognized as one of Wales’ most prestigious fighters, he wanted to be held in the same stead as the Calzaghes, Wildes, Selbys and most importantly his chosen favourite: Rees. At the age of 18 and still competing as a top-level amateur, Tinklin would bare arms with the very man who brought him to the squared circle.

“My dad used to take me to watch him (Rees) fight all the time and is still my boxing idol today and even better he’s now my trainer. Dreams do come true!”

“I have to thank Gavin (Rees) for being such a great friend and mentor to me. He puts so much

time and effort into me and I’m really thankful for him. His training is so hard and he doesn’t let

you stop, but that’s what you need in this sport”.

By the age of 18, Tinklin had already achieved one of his most important goals in the sport. Since they formed an allegiance in the amateurs, Tinklin and Rees have been working together ever since and appear to have one of those unique coach/fighter relationships that many of the sport’s greats have shared. They often say that boxing is not just an individual sport, it’s who you have in your corner, and for Tinklin his corner is among the best available in the country.

It has been seen many times in the sporting world before, an athlete will achieve their lifelong goals too early and peak at a young age, leading to a disastrous fall from grace when motivation slowly diminishes and the drive behind their beginnings begin to fade, much like Connor McGregor’s rise and fall from superstardom. Tinklin is not in any danger of falling into that bracket however, as the Welsh prospect is still yet to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming one of Wales’ most famed prizefighters. Tinklin has found motivation in multiple avenues of life along his road to today, and his drive for success only grows every day.

Now 5 fights into his professional career, Tinklin has a new source of motivation to add to his list of ambitions.

“I’ve always been self-motivated as I love the sport so much, but now I want it even more to provide for my son and so he has something to look back on. I want to provide a big future for him when he’s older and that’s why I’m heading to the top”.

The father to be speaks of a bold future in the sport, but his confidence seems justified with a deep knowledge and understanding of boxing acquired over a high-level amateur career and frequent sparring contested against the best fighters in the UK.

“The best part of my ability as a boxer would be my jab, I can work behind it and create openings wherever the fight may lead. I always put 110% into every single fight and the same goes for my training camps. There’s blood and sweat everyday”.

Looking toward his future goal of becoming Wales’ next great, Tinklin remains optimistic yet calculated.

“I’m not going to stop until I get those titles. In five-years-time I want to be somewhere where my son can look up to, I want to be in huge televised fights so I can really show the world what I can do and make something for my little boy.”

Tinklin has the privilege to work with his boxing idol in the quest for superstardom and domestic glory, whereby the pairing will be keen to pursue titles in the foreseeable future. It might seem a monumental task to achieve similar feats to Calzaghe and Rees, but Tinklin’s intentions remain set in stone.

“Losing is not an option for me. I will get those titles”.