YORK has a new national boxing champion. Miley Imeson, 15, coached by former world title contender Henry Wharton at Henry’s Gym in Acomb, lifted the 66kg class crown at the England Boxing Development Championship finals in Solihull.
Yorkshire champion Imeson, who knocked out one of the big favourites on the way to the finals, beat Harrow Amateur Boxing Club’s Tommy Rogerson in the title showdown – getting a unanimous points decision after three two-minute rounds, despite giving away a height advantage.
Wharton was duly proud. “To go through championship boxing is different to anything else,” he said.
“Each fight gets harder and you have to keep going, keep your fitness up, avoid injury, and get the job done each time against a champion from somewhere else.
“To come through like he did and box so well in the final is a credit to Miley. It’s a credit to both boxers in the final – it’s a shame there has to be a loser.”
Wharton reckoned Imeson won two of the three rounds – showing great maturity in the last to get the judges’ nod.
He explained: “Miley took the first round pretty clinically.
“In the second, he went after it, looking for an early finish but he missed a few times and lost his way slightly. I’d give his opponent the second round.
“With passion and desire you try so hard to win that sometimes you lose what’s got you there in the first place – passion overtakes skill sometimes.
“But we sat him down and told him to settle back down and use his boxing ability, and he really did do that.
“His boxing ability was second to none. For a young man at his age and experience, he took it to another level. It looked clean and more polished and he won that third round.
“If you’re going to win a national championship, the harder the battle the sweeter the victory. That’s what makes this success more rewarding. The kid came to win but Miley showed growth and maturity.”
Wharton reckons this national success bodes well for Henry’s Gym as a whole.
“To show that ability and maturity like he did in that final round reflects really well on everyone at our gym,” he said.
“We’ve got good boxers of all ages and sizes. Miley spas with some of the senior boxers and that has helped him win this title.”
