Miley’s making a name for himself as a talented teenage boxer

 
Miley Flynn had always felt he might like to try boxing so one evening he plucked up courage and went down to the gym at Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club.
 
“To be honest I was a bit nervous but from the time that I walked through the door I was made really welcome and from the start I really enjoyed the training, though I had to push myself at first with some of the exercises.
 
“Graham Brockway and the other coaches also showed me how to use the heavy bags, the punch balls and the pads (heavy gloves worn by a coach) so that I wouldn’t risk injury to my wrists or shoulders, with Alex Ward a particular help in that area.
 
“I really thought it was great, especially since I could nip down to the nearby McDonalds with some of the other boys there, as I quickly made lots of friends!
 

Started sparring, with help from Graham’s wide Gill

 
“After about three months I asked if I could try sparring, with Graham’s wife Gill always a help as she laced up my gloves for me, something she still does today if she’s in the gym, and it wasn’t long before I said I wanted to box and Graham organised a medical for me with a local doctor.
 
“My medical card soon arrived, where all my bouts are recorded, including age, weight and experience of all my opponents that I take on - and the result, signed by the official in charge of the evening.
 

Naturally nervous before his first bout – but won it!

 
“I knew I’d be nervous going in to the ring to box in front of a crowd and my debut came in our home show at the Withybush Showground in front of a huge, noisy crowd who I could hear cheering my name as I made the long walk to the ring.
 
“Then my name was announced and I could see my opponent opposite - and I wondered if he was as nervous as I was.
 
“Then the announcer called out by name, the first bell went and I forgot everything as the three rounds flew by and it was all over.
 
“Graham told me I had boxed really well and then I was called to the centre of the ring by the referee – where he held one arm of my opponent and me – and when the verdict was announced (a split decision!) it was my arm he raised and I was presented with the winner’s trophy by the sponsor.”





 

More success – and a first taste of defeat

 
After that momentous first-bout victory he enjoyed an even quicker success in his second bout as he took on Kai Williams, of the Hope & Glory Club on a show in Aberdare and he so out-boxed his opponent that the referee stopped the contest in the second round and he again was able to take home the winner’s trophy.
 
“I was really delighted,” Miley admitted to PembrokeshireSport.co.uk “and Graham (Brockway) still tells me it was one of my best performances so far.”      
 
But every amateur boxer has to endure the disappointment of defeat and it came for Miley in his third bout, his first foray into championship boxing as he fought against Seth Evans (Denbigh ABC) in the National Novices’ category for his age and weight group.
 
“To be honest, I thought I had boxed really well but when the decision came the referee raised Seth’s arm as the winner on a split decision of the judges, which at least showed me that I had pushed him all the way - and it made me even more determined to work harder in training.
 

Another defeat – but then back on the winning trail

 
“I then took on Rhydian Edwards, of Prize Fighter ABC, in a show in Carmarthen but I felt a bit off-colour and had no complaints that all three judges gave the decision to my opponent - but I felt I learned a great deal about attitude which has served me well since then.
 
“In my next bout I boxed Ryan Davies, of the Gwent ABC in Swansea, and stopped him in the first round on a show put on by the ‘Prize Fighter ABC’’ - but then lost narrowly to John Dockerty of Cwmbran ABC.





 

Then off to Birmingham – and a moment of panic before Graham saved the day

 
“Then Graham decided I was experienced enough to spread my wings a bit and so I found myself travelling to Birmingham with him to take on Kayan Green, of the Black Country ABC and it was not only memorable but a great experience because of the fact I gained another unanimous decision.
 
“We were nice and early getting there but I was in a panic because I suddenly realised I had forgotten my gum shield - and without it I wouldn’t be able to box.
 
“Luckily, Graham was his usual cool self and he drove me to the nearest ‘Sports Direct’ shop, where they not only had them available but had the equipment to mould it to my mouth - so I had to make sure I repaid him for the way he dealt with a panic situation for me by winning a unanimous decision, which I managed to do.
 
He still teases me about it – and about the Liverpool tee-shirts I wear to training, because he is a Chelsea supporter”





 

Great win at home with his family watching

 
Since then, Miley has had two more bouts, the first at the Merlins Bridge ABC home show at the Withybush Arena, where he again received the verdict of all three ringside judges against Harry Spence (Llynfi Valley ABC).
 
“I have been lucky to have had great support from my mother, Emma Kemp, and step-father William Lukins (who boxed for Wales in the European Championships when he was young) – and I was nervous because I wasn’t on until the tenth bout and I knew all my family were ringside, including my grandfather, Mick Kemp, and I’ll never forget the noise when my name was announced and I walked through an enormous crowd chanting my name.
 
“But I just took a deep breath, remembered all I’d been taught and was thrilled after three rounds to have another unanimous win.
 
“Since then, I’ve had one more bout against Jack Colston-Hill (Premier ABC) and that was memorable because I stopped him in the first round - and we drove to Pontypridd for the show in the most terrible weather I can remember - but Graham looked after us, as usual!”
 

So, what of the future for this talented young boxer from Haverfordwest?

 
“At the moment I just want to keep training hard, because I love my time in the gym with the rest of the boxers, and in 2025 I hope to keep up my good record and compete in the 57kgs class at the Welsh Open Championships in Cardiff, because I would love to win a Welsh vest and represent my country.
 
“It would also be a good way to repay all the time that the coaches at Merlins Bridge have spent on me; not only teaching me a range of skills but boosting my confidence, in and out of the ring.”
 
That shows the immense respect he has for those in the club but it is reciprocated because Mr Brockway told us,
“Miley is a pleasure to have in our club because he is always ready to listen to advice, which he soaks up like a sponge, but sets an excellent example to the younger members with regard to self-discipline and hard work.”
 
We at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk could pay Miley Flynn no higher compliment and we wish this modest and talented young man further success in his chosen sport, because he thoroughly deserves it!