AYUB Mumin, the nine-year-old boxing sensation from Woking, impressed in his first international exhibition bout.

The event in Marbella, Spain, was his fifth exhibition, and his father Abdul told the News & Mail: “Ayub will turn ten in December. 

“He is still too young to have an official bout in the UK as England Boxing have a minimum age of ten before anyone can officially compete.

“But I think that with the experience that Ayub has already, he will do really well in the amateurs when he starts competing. 

“He is still training hard every day – and he still loves boxing, just as much as he did when he started six years ago.”

The youngster took to the ring at Rival Boxing Gym in Marbella. And his family spent almost a week in Spain before the bout, so he could get acclimatised.

Dad said: “Ayub used to train with coach Vica Tirantou for a while at the BuddhaBox Gym in Mayfair, London. 

“She moved over to Marbella last year, and is a coach at Rival Boxing Gym. 

“Vica called me in April and told me there was a huge boxing show at the gym, and she would like to invite Ayub to have an exhibition bout.

“This would be Ayub’s first international bout. He was very excited for this one. 

“Our whole family went to Spain. We went five days before the bout to get Ayub used to the climate. 

“It was Ayub’s first time in Spain and he really enjoyed the hot weather. The Spanish people were super friendly. 

“The staff, coaches and owner of Rival Boxing Gym treated us like family. They went out their way to treat us like we belonged there. It was like our second home.

“On the fight day, Ayub was warming up in the dressing room. Moments before the bout, he told Vica, who was coaching him, that he felt butterflies in his stomach and was a little nervous. 

“In all the previous events and bouts he has been part of, this was the first time he ever felt like this. Feeling nervous before a bout is normal, but I think Ayub felt like this because he was abroad and it was a huge show with a huge crowd.

“His opponent was a boy named Lucas, who was a year older and around 5kg heavier. 

“Lucas is an extremely talented boy and hit very hard. 

“He moved around the ring really well. 

“After the bout, Ayub told everyone Lucas was the best opponent he had ever faced, is strong, has a lot of skill and hits very hard.

“Both boys did very well and the crowd absolutely loved the bout. There were so many cheers and the atmosphere was incredible when the boys were fighting. 

“Ayub and Lucas landed some excellent shots and showed the crowd how much skill they both possessed.

“Because it was an exhibition bout, there was no winner or loser, and both boys’ hands were raised in the end. 

“This was the best boxing experience Ayub has had, and I think it will help him greatly in the future.

“After the bout, Ayub and Lucas embraced each other and got on really well. 

“Since then they have become the best of friends, and are in contact with each other almost every day. 

“Lucas is a great kid – he even gave Ayub two gifts on our last day in Spain. And we told Lucas and his family that when they are in the UK, they are welcome at our house. 

“Lucas and his family are great people.”

Young Mumin also took part in an exhibition bout at Miguel’s Boxing Gym in South London.

His father said: “Ayub was scheduled to fight a boy called Jack, who is very strong and dedicated. 

“Jack was heavier than Ayub and a very skilled boxer, so Ayub had to bring his A game. 

“Both boys did very well  and had spells of success during the three rounds. After the bout, Ayub and Jack became friends and keep in contact.”

For more about Ayub Mumin, see his Instagram page @ayubboxing