Super soldier Chez Nihell and his wife make the perfect team
Army boxer Lance Corporal Chez Nihell will make his professional debut at London's O2 Arena, where he will have his wife Alanna in his corner.
Nihell, 31, will fight on the undercard of James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr's IBO World super-middleweight bout on February 23.
The unique pair come together to form the perfect team. Both are serving soldiers and multiple amateur champions, and have each played a major role in coaching the Army Elite Boxing team.
"She's been a huge part of my boxing life," said Nihell.
"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% improved as boxers since we've been together. I wouldn't have embarked on this professional journey without her."
Nihell was crowned the Army Sportsman of the Year 2018, due to being the first male in five years from the army to win the ABA’s. This was the icing on the cake for Nihell, who had also won Infantry Sportsman of the Year, as well as Isle of Wight Sportsman of the Year. He is arguably one of the most decorated amateurs of this millennium, winning the English ABA title at super-heavyweight and unifying two English belts. He also won the Armed forces regional championships six years in a row and the Haringey Box Cup from 2015-2018 at two different weights. As a super-heavyweight, he had 23 bouts and only lost three – all split decisions for national titles. He only lost one in his last 19 bouts as an amateur and won the last 12 bouts when fighting at Elite level.
"Being a husband and wife team will give him that extra bit of support that other boxers don't get," said Alanna.
"I see every day the hard work Chez puts in and the sacrifices he makes behind the scenes. I might be Chez's wife but I'm also his best friend. I understand what drives him."
Nihell, a member of The 27 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, served in Afghanistan with The 1st Battalion Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and has been part of the Army Elite Boxing set-up since 2013.
Alanna is also a serving soldier as well as being a multiple amateur boxing national champion – she won three ABA lightweight titles, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2014, and was the first female ever to captain the Army Elite Boxing Team, experiencing over 120 amateur fights where she boxed for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland over 50 times.
"Trust is a big factor in boxing and Chez has got a good team around him," she added. "We have so much trust for each other. He knows he can always rely on me and vice versa.
"We are a team and I think my support in his corner gives Chez that something extra. When he hears my voice, I know it gives him the encouragement he needs. Our husband-wife partnership is really something special.
"If I wasn't a boxer and just Chez's wife, it might be more challenging from an emotional perspective to be in his corner watching him in the heat of battle.
"But I am not only Chez's wife but also a boxer myself, so I understand what he will be going through. I recognise the risks and I know he will take punches in that ring."
Born on the Isle of Wight, Chez learned to box at the Newport Phoenix Boxing Club after beng inspired by his dad, a former jockey and amateur boxer. He goes into the contest as a six-time UK Combined Services champion and England’s reigning ABA Elite super-heavyweight champion.
The 31-year-old trained by Johnny Edwards at the Guildford City Boxing Gym said, “This is what dreams are made of. You only make one pro debut and to make it on a stacked card at London’s O2 in this new chapter of my boxing and army life is very special.”
How to watch Chez Nihell in his debut: All the details you need to watch the James DeGale vs Chris Eubank Jr forthcoming fight