Mum joins her three daughters in boxing contest

An all female family line up of boxers fighting in the same competition for the first time say they can not wait to "put on a good show".

Chippenham mum Michelle Minaides, who has won six titles, is returning to the ring to fight on the same card as her three daughters, Tilly, Belle and Flick.

She will take part in an exhibition bout and will be in the corner for the three teens at Meca in Swindon on Saturday.

Michelle said it has been amazing to help her children grow in "confidence and resilience" and hopes it inspires more females to join the sport.

Flick, 13, said she started boxing at the age of three with her sisters.

"It's a great way to let off steam. It's such a unique sport for girls our age," she said.

"I've never seen four female fighters from the same family.

"I'm feeling a bit nervous, but I can't wait."

Bella, 14, said they often train with their mum and "put in all the work", but as expected, sometimes struggle with the boundary between parent and trainer.

"She's very good as a trainer, but I do get angry with her because she's our mum."

Tilly, the oldest of the three, said on the weekend she will have an "incredible" opportunity to fight for her mum's old belt.

"I've watched her fight so many times and to see her back will make me feel ready for my fight," she said.

The 17-year-old said boxing is "the best feeling".

"When you're there you're so focused. All the nerves are gone," she added.

Ms Minaides said she expected to retire last year, but had to come back for the opportunity to be in the same competition as her children.

"I'm glad to be there with them and help them, but equally it's very nerve wracking," she said.

"You just have to be brave and strong and resilient and my girls are really good at that, putting up a fight and holding up their own.

"We'll put on a really good show."

She said that boxing is the one thing that keeps her focused while looking after six children and running her own business.

"Life is pretty wild, but when I'm boxing everything else is out of my head.

"People have a real bad perception of fighting because fighting is violent, but it's not fighting it's boxing and boxing is a sport it's a real skill," she added.

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