BOXING soldier Amir Unsworth, originally from Warrington, steps into the ring next month for his ninth professional fight – and he’ll be arriving in military style, backed by the British Army.
Private Unsworth is a soldier in 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire). He fights the more experienced Carl Allen on 7th March at Northgate Arena, Chester, in an elimination bout for a shot at the Midlands area title.
The 28-year-old hopes the choice of venue, Chester, will reap a bumper support, as the city is the battalion’s spiritual home.
Wearing his trademark camouflage shorts, he will be led to the ring by the Drums Platoon of 1 MERCIAN, while soldiers from the battalion are expected to turn out in force to support their comrade from the stands.
The lightweight prospect has been backed by the Army in his desire to combine military duties with a successful boxing career. Last year, during a six month tour of duty in Iraq, the Army organised his leave to coincide with one of his fights in the UK. He prepared for that fight in limited spare time between patrols in the southern Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. He beat Gavin Deacon on points after six rounds.
He said: “I was going out on patrols and then training as soon as I came back. “The battalion let me come home early to prepare for the fight and then, straight after it, I flew back out to Iraq.
“The Army has been very supportive of me. I fought for the Army boxing team for two seasons.”
Pte Unsworth goes into the fight on March 7 with a record of won seven, lost one. The only defeat was in a fight for the International Masters Title, his first 10-round bout – “I didn’t disgrace myself,” he said. “It will only make me come back stronger.”
When not preparing for his fights, Pte Unsworth is currently employed with the Army as a member of its Army Recruiting Team 11, based in Chester.
Capt Ben Powell, Officer Commanding ART 11, said: “The Drums Platoon of 1 MERCIAN, who have just returned from a short deployment to the Falkland Islands, will be marching Pte Unsworth into the ring. The fight has been advertised widely in the regiment and I am sure many of the soldiers from Chester will turn out to watch him.”
There are over 140 trades in the British Army and many sports opportunities for soldiers. For more information about a career in the British Army, and the sporting opportunities, see www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northwest.
Pictured: Amir Unsworth in action.
