SOME boxers box for fame, some for glory, some for the prize, and some because the fighting spirit flows through their blood and is locked into their very DNA.

Kieran Gething is one such boxer. He comes from a well-established family of fighters and is fast making a name for himself as one to watch in the world of the professional pugilist.

The 23-year-old definitely has pedigree. His late father Gary Gething won six titles between 1973-1982.

In his latter years, the former Welsh amateur middleweight champion who turned pro in 1986, was a well-known and popular coach at Pontypool Boxing Club.

Gary’s grandfathers on both sides of the family boxed, as did his father, and his brothers. The Abergavenny man used to say it was in his blood, and was a firm believer in the discipline and dedication Queensbury rules can instill in a young man.

Despite his passion for the sport, Gary never attempted to force his two sons to pick up the gloves and put their dukes up.

As Kieran recalls, “I was never into boxing as a young kid and my dad never pushed me into it. It all began when I found out my little brother Connor was getting bullied at the boxing gym he was attending.

“I went down there like a typical big brother to try and sort things out, and although at that time I wouldn’t have been able to do much of anything, it was a blessing in disguise, because I became hooked on boxing, and the rest is history.”

And what a history it’s already been for the young contender. One look at the stats will tell you the five time Welsh amateur champion can certainly fight.

But it’s been far from plain sailing for Gething. He was born with Talapese and admits to this day it gives him problems, but perseverance in the face of adversity is something he knows all about.

Under the guiding hand of head coach Mark James, Kieran won a junior and youth Welsh title, and a silver in the British championships.

After graduating to the Welsh team, Mark’s brother Lyndon James took over Kieran’s coaching, along with another familiar face in the form of his own brother and Welsh squad coach, Connor Gething.

After winning a Welsh senior title, a bronze at the Three Nations and an international silver medal at the Golden Gong tournament in Macedonia, Kieran, whose all time boxing hero is Sugar Ray Robinson, captained Wales for two years as a senior.

2016 was a big year for Kieran. He got engaged, took out a mortgage, and was about to become a father for the first time. He also decided it was time he turned pro, and he did so under the watchful eye of old coach and good friend Lyndon James.

Making his debut in the paid ranks at Weston-Super-Mare’s Grand Pier against 37-year-old journeyman Kevin McCauley, the light middleweight began his career not with a bang, but a controversial draw against a seasoned boxer who had 150 fights under his belt.

Kieran, suffered a points defeat in his next fight against Aaron Sutton, but if doubts were beginning to creep in about his shaky start, Kieran didn’t let it show.

In his third professional fight, Kieran knocked out Rob Brown in the fourth and final round at Swansea to silence any doubters and get his career off and running.

With consecutive victories over William Warburton and Jordan Grannum to secure his Swansea treble, Kieran is back in action on December 22 for a night of boxing at Pontypool Leisure Centre.

And providing it all goes well on Black Friday, Kieran is hoping to headline a title fight show in Cardiff this February.

Kieran, who is a welder by trade, juggles a professional boxing career, with his full-time job at DT Contracting, the demands of a young family, a mortgage, and a strict training regime. It’s a big ask for any 23-year-old, but in his own words, Kieran has a “good engine” and believes firmly in the benefits of a life governed by discipline and graft.

“You won’t find me in the pub causing trouble on a Saturday night, because there’s far too much of that sort of thing in the world, and it’s just stupid and a waste of time,” explained Kieran.

“From an early age I’ve always been focused on what I want and what I need to do to get it. I’ve also been lucky that I’m surrounded by so many people who believe in me and support my goals.

“For example my employer DT Contracting have been fantastic with letting me have time off to train and fight.”

Kieran added, “And of course there’s my wife. I met Emma when I was 18, and I remember back then my dad saying, ‘She’s a keeper’. And as usual he was right. Emma and our beautiful ten-month daughter Isla are my inspiration and motivation. Because if I succeed in even a small way, it will afford me the opportunity to spend a lot more time with my family, as opposed to working all day, and spending a large part of the evening and weekend training.”

In 2014, Kieran was confronted with a tragedy that will knock anyone to the floor. The unexpected death of his dad Gary at the age of 54.

Yet as if to prove that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, Kieran explained, “My dad was, is, and will always be a constant presence in my life. He’s there in the faces of all the family that come to support me, and he’s there in my thoughts and in my heart after every fight.

“He’s the reason I’m currently in the process of doing my coaching badges. I want to one day pass on my knowledge and give back to the sport which has given so much to me.”

Kieran added, “It was my dad, my brother, and coaches Lyndon and Mark who made me the man I am today. I’d also like to thank my amazing mother and sister for providing me with such consistency in my life.”

Kieran, who still trains out of Pontypool Gym, would like to one day bring boxing back to Abergavenny and “carry on my dad’s legacy.”

In the meantime, he’s got a fight to train for and an audience to entertain. If you’d like to see the man in action you can obtain tickets for the ‘Christmas Cracker’ at Pontypool Active Living Centre on Friday, December 22, by telephoning the man direct on 07564355306, or emailing him on [email protected].

And before we go, just one more thing. If there’s any philanthropic souls out there who want to dig deep and help a disciplined young man who’s overcome personal tragedy to dream big and shoot for the stars, then how about sponsoring Kieran? Give him a call on the number above and he’ll be able to tell you firsthand about all the benefits of supporting a professional boxer and exactly what it’ll mean to him. It’s all tax deductible too!