A young Suffolk fighter is targeting world glory after winning a prestigious national title belt.
Thai boxer Joe Le Maire, 17, claimed the WBC under-18 national flyweight championship with a fourth round stoppage of Mo Dieng in Milton Keynes.
Lifting the famed green WBC belt is the latest in a long line of successes for the Lawshall fighter, who has won British titles at two different weights, two Celtic challenge straps and a Celtic challenge European crown.
In total the teenager, who trains at Unit 1 Gym in Bury St Edmunds, has already amassed a staggering 56 fights, winning 32, losing 22 and drawing two.
Of his latest win, West Suffolk College student Le Maire said: “He was very tall so I knew the fight was going to be tough and he would be a tricky fighter to deal with.
“When the ref stopped the fight it was a great feeling to know that all of the training had finally paid off.”
But Le Maire won’t be resting on his laurels – he is already back in training, five times a week, for a crack at the Junior World Championships in Bangkok.
“My next fight will be in August when I take part in the World Championships,” he said.
“That will be the last time I can compete in the event as a junior.
“After that I will travel south to Phuket and train at Sumalee Boxing Gym for two weeks and hopefully have a professional fight.
“Over the next five years I aim to get on some of the top shows in the country and maybe even the world.
“I would also like to be fighting in top stadiums in Bangkok like Lumpinee Stadium and see myself challenging for world titles.
“I love every aspect of Muay Thai, from the training and the fighting, to the culture and traditions of the sport. I love the rush of adrenaline when I step into the ring.”
The teenager is also appealing for sponsorship to help him fund his training and travelling. While local firms Helmsman Lockers and Muay Thai Extreme support him, more help is always welcome.
He explained: “I would greatly appreciate as much sponsorship as possible to help me achieve my dreams of becoming a world champion in the future and to help towards going to the World Championships in Bangkok in August.”
Le Maire added: “I would just like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far.
“My coach Richard Gent, training partners Tom Austin and Hannah Turner and my strength and conditioning coach Don Heatrick and everyone else at the gym have been great at helping me prepare for this fight. I would also like to thank my family and friends who have been so supportive in giving up their time for me.”
You can follow Le Maire on Twitter @JoeLeMaire2. If you want to sponsor him, e-mail joe.lemaire@hotmail.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here