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The Mongolian Warriors: Boxing News

By Donald C. Stewart

Ellis Island is an iconic part of American heritage as it is where all the immigrants came to register prior to being allowed into the land of the free. In the UK, we have no such iconography and our relationship with immigration can be a grainy one. Many of our most distinguished politicians like to rattle the image of Johnny Foreigner ruining our pure British landscape due to their filthy practices when it suits them and they need the votes. The reality is that the UK is as much a nation of migrant parts as the good ol’ US of A. And thank God it is!

Two names have featured recently to remind us in boxing of just how rich that influence is and how much color it brings to the table when they climb into a ring. Both boxers have given us plenty to cheer and loads of drama. Both come from a far eastern country filled with mysticism and intrigue. Mongolia. Shinny Bayaar 15-6-2, 4 KO’s, and Choi Tseveenpurev, 35-5, 23 KO’s.
Shinny Bayaar failed in his attempt to win the British flyweight title against Chris Edwards in a rematch on the 10th of December, 2011. The previous meeting had Shinny taking the British title. As a fighter with a record boasting 6 losses on it, it is clear to see why he has not managed to achieve such dizzy heights as being mentioned as a potential world title contender. You would be forgiven for dismissing him as a little more than a journey man but you need to look far more carefully at his record.

Shinny turned pro in 2000, and in his first 6 fights, he lost 3 times, drew once and won two. Put up against a real journeyman in Delroy Spencer, Shinny won not once, twice, but three times against this very tough guy. Delroy is the type of boxer that the profession needs. He is a durable and competent journeyman who has had well over 100 fights travelling the country to take on all of the up and coming fighters looking to gain experience and catch the eye. By 2008, Bayaar was fighting for and winning the International Masters Super Flyweight title in Bolton by split decision. Hardly Madison Square Gardens this was fighter who was now gaining some attention domestically.

That attention would lead to his first fight with Chris Edwards, which was for the British Flyweight title. Shinny won once again on a split decision. Shinny, in a story that was to continue throughout his career, was cut below the eye in the 6th round. His first defense ended as a draw and here was a fighter that had perhaps reached his peak?

He then lost the title to Paul Edwards in the first round, the fight halted because – you guessed it –of a cut eye. It took a year for him to get another shot at the title and his rematch against Chris Edwards saw him lose to a unanimous decision. This time round he was allowed to box on even though he was cut again in the 1st.

Shinny Bayaar’s distinctive style and Mohawk haircut means that as we see him come into the ring we expect a toe to toe warrior. Shinny always gives 100% and tries to entertain. In an industry where there are people thinking more of the bottom line than of the entertainment for their fans this is a refreshing addition at the lower end of the scale. This industry needs entertainers.

Shinny’s victor for the British title, Chris Edwards has a similar record to Shinny’s and a similar tale to tell. Of his first 12 fights he lost 8 of them. Edwards also fought Delroy Spencer 3 times. He lost, drew and the won against him. In 2007 Edwards was unlucky when he fought for the British and Commonwealth titles and it was a draw. He then won and lost both titles before fighting Shinny Bayaar for the British title in 2009. Bayaar beat him. Edwards regained the title before this latest successful defense and will be back in the ring on the 21st to fight for the Commonwealth title against a man he has already beaten – Abmerek Shindjuu of Namibia.

Shinny’ compatriot Choi Tseveenpurev is however THE Mongolian Warrior. Famed throughout the UK as the Mongolian who lives the life of a true Mongol Warrior he has been known to ride horses, slay wild animals and win fights against the odds. Choi was the WBF Featherweight Champion in 2006, WBU Champion in 2008 and is looking for another world title chance.

The color with which Choi arrives included his return to the Prizefighter competition in 2011. Having already attempted to win one Prizefighter, he returned to make amends. Every supporter had a Choi Story II tee shirt on. He was a heavy favourite but as we know being the favorite can heap plenty pressure on fighters. Many crumble and we see heart break at the ropes. On this occasion without too much trouble Choi Story II had a happy ending and Choi raised the trophy aloft with whispers of another World title shot turning to shouts.

Both Bayaar and Choi light up the British Boxing scene and whilst some of our more unsavoury politicians might not like our policy of encouraging immigrants to settle and stay in the UK British boxing is so much healthier because of it.

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