JAMES Dean admitted he got a huge shock when he got into the ring for only his third kick-boxing bout in Wolverhampton recently - he was up against a British Champion.
The 21-year-old was fighting at 84kg category and was facing Sat Rayat, a local fighter who trains at one of the best gyms in the country.
"I decided to do a bit of research on him on the internet and I was shocked when I learned he had won the WKA British title by knock-out at the end of last year," said James who has only been training as a kick- boxer for two years at Hyndburn Sports Centre.
"He obviously had a lot of experience but I had trained hard."
The fight was over three two minute rounds and coach Jason Curtis was impressed with James.
"James has tremendous potential - he has natural ability, dedication and absorbs everying he is taught.
"James took the fact Sat was a British Champion in his stride and he dominated all the way and out-classed his opponent in every department."
James won the fight on a majority decision and now he is hoping for his own British title challenge.
"I got a trophy for winning that but it wasn't a title fight. I am still classed as a novice because I have only been training for a couple of years so not a lot of the promoters have had a chance to see me.
"Now I hope they have and I will get a chance at a title fight soon.
"They will have seen that I am capable of doing it."
James was watched by around 2-300 people with around 60 supporters from Accrington.
But he does need to work on one thing - his entry into the ring.
"Most other fighters come out to music but I have never really bothered with it. I just want to go out and fight. But I might have to think about it if I go further!"
Another Hyndburn Sports Centre kickboxer on the bill was new fighter Daniel Georgihou.
He had previous experience at ABA Boxing but hadn't been in the ring for around seven years and it was his kick boxing debut.
"Danny is super strong and also a black belt at Ju-jitsu," said coach Jason.
"He showed his strength and power from round one but found it difficult to find the range and so couldn't land that knock-out blow."
Danny ended up losing the fight to a close points decision.
Two-times English champion Jason Curtis was last up for a five two minute round prestige contest against Birmingham's Brian Aston.
"The fight went the distance and I lost on a close points decision," said Jason.
"Brian is a very experienced fighter with over 50 fights on record and countless titles.
"I felt I would be able to get into a position to knock him out but it wasn't meant to be as Brian used his experience well."
