DANIEL Battrick is on course to become an English Kick-Boxing Champion - at the age of just 10.
The St Oswalds pupil has chalked up a staggering 14 unbeaten kick-boxing bouts so far in his short career.
And now the youngster, who already holds the National Schools Kick-Boxing title, impressed in a recent competition and has been given a tilt at the English junior title.
Daniel had gone to Telford as part of the Fit to Fight Club’s outing.
But his original opponent pulled out and Daniel was left having to fight in a higher weight section against a boy two years older and two kilo’s heavier.
"It was a big step for Daniel," said dad and coach Billy who supports him along with mum Tracy.
"But he had to take the fight in order to get the chance to fight the current English Junior champion."
And Daniel didn’t disappoint.
"He came out fast and furious," said his dad. "He had his taller opponent on the ropes with hand combinations and rear roundhouse kicks.
"He just would not stop throwing punches. He did though find it hard to kick his taller opponent so he mainly had to box."
At the end of three hard fought rounds, the judges declared the tie a draw.
"Two judges said that if Daniel had done one more kick he would have won," added his dad, who was proud as his son got a standing ovation at the end.
Daniel is also a keen footballer, playing for Oswaldtwistle St Marys, and attending Coerver Coaching sessions.
"I keep telling him to concentrate on his football but he would rather kick a punch bag than a football," said Billy.
"He just loves fighting. He does get nervous before each fight and we do talk to him and tell him to rest and take some time off fighting.
"But he just loves it and he counts down the days to his next fight."
And he hasn’t got too long to wait as he will take on the current Junior English title-holder in Burton on 28 June.
"It is his home town," said Daniel. "He is known as Roger the Dodger but he better be good at dodging!"
