Kian, 18, is East Midlands’ youngest official

A Coalville teenager has become the youngest fully qualified England Boxing official in the East Midlands.

Kian Corssen boxed for eight years with Sileby Boxing Academy, but had to give it up after starting an electrician’s apprenticeship.

But rather than give up his involvement in the sport altogether, the recently turned 18-year-old, has taken up the opportunity to sit and pass his judging and timekeeping exams, making him a grade C judge/Timekeeper.

He is just a few months older than Chesterfield’s Leigh Ashmore, who is already showing herself to be a an excellent and committed official.

Kian got the chance to officiate for the first time in a show on Saturday night and says he is relishing his new role.

“It was a shame I had to give up my boxing and I do miss it, but I think this is the next best thing and keeps me involved with the sport I enjoy,” he said.

“The exam itself was quite difficult in places. It helps being an ex-boxer, but there are other things that you don’t even think about when you’re competing.

“It’s great to be able to give something back, and I think it shows that the youngster generation can get involved in officiating – it’s not just for when you get older.”

The East Midlands region are making a conscious effort to recruit younger official and it was after seeing a Facebook post that Kian applied.

Head Official, Tutor, Assessor and Examiner for the East Midlands, Steve Tighe, has been delighted to help develop those who will oversee the sport in the future.

He said: “It’s a shame Kian had to make the choice between work commitments and boxing, but he has committed himself to officiating and showing that anyone can stay involved, even if they can’t commit themselves to training and competing.

“He has been shadowing our experienced officials for several months before he turned 18, learning first-hand about officiating, so I had no doubt he was committed and I felt sure he would pass his exams and become our youngest official.

“We as a region are really proud to have him as a valued member of our officiating team and we are committed to helping him progress in his role as an official of the East Midlands and England Boxing.”

If you would like to find out more about training as an official, click here.