A THURROCK man who has dedicated his life to boxing has been honoured by being made an MBE.

Amrik “Mik” Basi officiated at both the London 2012 Olympics and the Rio 2016 games, and at the London Games he was selected to read the Olympic opening ceremony oath.

A career highlight, Basi, who lives in North Stifford, was the centre of the world’s attention when he read the historic oath on behalf of all sports referees and officials.

Dressed in his British AIBA boxing jacket and tie he stood on a raised platform to deliver the 37-word oath which pledges Olympic officials will uphold the spirit and letter of their sport honestly and without bias.

During the 2012 games he refereed both men’s and women’s fights, officiating a total of 38 matches and was award the AIBA award as the top boxing official at the tournament.

Aside from refereeing on a national stage, Basi can regularly be found at Fairbairn Boxing Club in Ilford where he is the chairman.

Mr Basi said: “I am still coming to terms with it, in all honesty.

“Every time I am asked I still struggle to think of anything to say, I am just so overwhelmed.

“It came as such a shock, over the years people have always said I deserve to be recognised, but you always brush that off and don’t really expect it too happen.

“Although we lost my father several years ago, it makes me so thankful for everything my parents did for me.

“To think, they came from India in the 1950s, and now look at me and what I have achieved.

“I think this does supersede the honour of being involved in the 2012 opening ceremony, this will stay with me for ever and I will always be recognised as an MBE.

Mik’s family has a long association with boxing.

His brother, Jumbo, is another top class referee – and a fellow stalwart of the Fairbairn ABC in Ilford where Mik, who now splits his time between North Stifford and Brentwood, spent his formative years in the sport.

The brothers both did ABA judges and refereeing courses and officiated at hundreds of shows around East London and Essex.

Together the brothers run an embroidery and printing business in Rainham.

Also honoured is Dr Ian James Macaulay Frood, a farmer from Corringham, who received the Order of the British Empire for services to the British cattle industry.