Samir Mouneimne wants to become first Hull fighter to win a British title

Samir Mouneimne hopes to continue Hull’s success story by producing a historic British title win over Ryan Walsh.

The 28-year-old featherweight wants to become the first fighter from the city to lift a Lonsdale belt when he battles Cromer's Walsh for the vacant belt in London on September 26.

Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle reignited passion for the sport on Humberside with their absorbing cross-town rivalry last weekend.

Olympic gold medallist Campbell stopped his friend-turned-foe in the 10th round of an exciting, yet one-sided WBC lightweight title eliminator in front of around 14,000 fans at the city’s KC Lightstream Stadium.

Mouneimne has been preparing for his shot at St Paul’s Boxing Academy, where he shared many rounds of sparring with both Campbell and Coyle as an amateur, and hopes to boost the sport's resurgence in the area.

“It’s been a long road. We’ve been training since May when we were meant to fight so I’m just keeping focused right now," said Mouneimne, who inflicted IBF king Lee Selby's sole defeat on points back in 2009. 

“There’s never been a British champion from Hull so to make history would be great.”

Samir’s only loss in 16 pro outings came against Leeds’ Josh Warrington for the Commonwealth strap in November 2013 and trainer Mick Bromby believes he would have gained much experience from the defeat.

It’s a very tough fight and I think a lot of questions will be asked, but I think he’s mature enough and he’s ready now to come through it.

“He was unlucky against Josh Warrington for the Commonwealth title," said Bromby.

“In the third round he got three fractures in his left hand and he had to box another nine rounds with that. We didn’t know how much pain he was in until the gloves came off, but that’s a learning experience and I don’t think it will come much tougher than that.

“It’s a very tough fight (against Walsh) and I think a lot of questions will be asked but I think he’s mature enough and he’s ready now to come through it.”

Walsh is one of three fighting brothers and has suffered just one defeat in 20 appearances, against Selby, but Mouneimne is confident he can overcome his rival and put his name within Hull boxing folklore.

“I remember him from the amateurs," he said. "We were both in the ABA finals together so we’ve known each other coming through. It’s a fight I’m looking forward to and one I know I can win.

“I’ve had a lot of up-and-downs in Boxing but I know on my day, if I raise my game, I can beat anybody in Britain.”