A FIVE-year-old Bolton girl is making a new bid to become the youngest ever competitor in a Kick Boxing contest. Laurelle Fitzsimmons - who only recently began primary school and weighs little more than three stone - is set to step into the ring in February to slug it out with an opponent, in what's been dubbed an "atom weight" punch-up. There was fury last May when it was announced that Laurelle would fight a six-year-old girl at Horwich Leisure Centre.

After accusations of encouraging violence and heavy criticism from child psychologists and Christian groups, the scrap was dramatically called off at the eleventh hour - although it was claimed that the decision was taken, not because of the controversy but, because the opponent was found to be much bigger and had much more experience than Laurelle.

This time, say Laurelle's parents and trainer, both competitors will be of equal size and standard.

The fight is sure to cause an fresh outbreak of controversy. If it goes ahead Laurelle will be the youngest person ever to take part in a Kick Boxing fight.

But her parents, Marie and Barry, say the family aren't concerned with publicity. The only thing that matters, they say, is that Laurelle wants to fight.

"If she didn't, this wouldn't be going ahead," added Marie, from the family home in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge.

"We aren't worried about her safety because there is so much protective padding for children in Kick Boxing, and she has been having training since she was in her baby-walker so she is good. I am looking forward to the fight and I hope that this time it goes ahead."

The bout, scheduled to go ahead in Liverpool in February, will consist of five one-minute rounds. Both girls will wear special body armour to protect them and punching and kicking to the head is not allowed.

Laurelle is now training up to six times a week in readiness for the fight and she says she is looking forward to it.

Her trainer, Sandy Holt, who runs the Bolton Thai Boxing Club on Brown Street, says there will be no problems whatsoever.

"The girls will be wearing more padding than American footballers and it is only semi-contact and not full contact like the seniors, so it is extremely safe," he said.

"Laurelle should be an inspiration to a lot of people. She is the youngest person I have ever taught and she is very talented."

However, a spokesman for the Christian Snowball Trust - which promotes family values - has condemned the plans.

He said: "It really concerns me. There is a lot of rubbish spoken about how well protected they are but a punch will hurt. I'm all for teenage girls being taught self-defence - but these are five-year-olds and what's even more worrying is that the whole thing is being classed as entertainment."

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