Love at first fight
WIFE IN CORNER ON CHEZ’S DEBUT
CHEZ NIHELL is the fighting soldier who will have his boxer wife in his corner for his pro debut tonight.
Quite the tale for Lance Corporal Nihell, who was once an infantry solider on a fighting tour of Afghanistan.
The Isle of Wight-born former carpenter, 31, joined the British Army at 23.
But it was also a move to get better boxing training and to fight for the armed forces.
Active
It certainly helped as he has gone on to become the reigning ABA Elite super-heavyweight champion.
It also led him to meet his wife, Alanna (nee Murphy) and the pair have becoming a boxing power couple.
Both are still active soldiers in the 27 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and met when they boxed on the same British Army Elite team.
They got together on Valentine’s Day in 2014 but they put their anniversary celebrations on hold until after tonight’s cruiserweight bout on the undercard of James DeGale against Chris Eubank Jnr at the O2 Arena.
Nihell said: “Having Alanna in my corner on fight night will give me that extra edge.
“With every great man stands a stronger woman. She is my rock and she will keep me focused. We bounce off each other in the sport and we are good for each other.
“Boxing is a lonely old sport sometimes and not everyone understands it. I am lucky that my wife does.
“She’s competed at the highest level as an amateur.
“She understands the sacrifices involved in this sport and what needs to be done in the preparation for fights.”
Alanna is a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist but also a part of Irish boxing history as the Belfast woman was in the opposite corner when Katie Taylor had her first official bout in 2011 in Ireland.
Now Nihell, who is trained by Johnny Edwards at Guildford City Boxing Gym, is her coach while she also competes as an amateur on both sides of the Irish Sea.
But tonight Alanna will be the one giving the encouragement from the corner.
Journey
Nihell added: “After winning the ABA Elite Super-Heavyweight Championship last year I made the decision to turn pro and I wanted my wife to come on the journey with me.
“She’s been a huge part of my boxing life.
“The day I had my interview for my professional boxing licence last year, Alanna had her interview for her pro coaching second licence.
“We are a team and have both 100 per cent improved as boxers since we’ve been together.
“I wouldn’t have embarked on this professional journey without her.”