A YOUNG Thai boxing champion is gearing up for a shot at a European title after receiving a sponsor for his trip.

Nine-year-old Sam Lewis, from Westhoughton, will fly out to Spain later this month to represent England at the WKU European Open Championships.

The young fighter only took up Thai boxing three years ago, but he already has World and British titles under his belt.

And now he hopes to add a European title to the list when he competes in Almeria, thanks to his new sponsors, the Chorley Group, which is covering the costs of his flights to Spain.

Gary Lamb, sales manager at the Chorley Group’s Wigan dealership in Pottery Lane, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Sam in his bid to become a European champion.

"When his mum, Tracy, contacted us about sponsorship we were happy to help because he’s a great kid with bags of talent.

“We’ll be watching his progress with great interest, starting with the WKU Open Championships later this month!”

Earlier this year Sam underlined his potential when he was crowned British ICO Thai boxing champion following a bout in Birmingham.

He added a world title after another successful fight in Manchester this month.

His coach Geoff Downes, who runs the Peel Thai Boxing Club, in Little Hulton, where Sam trains, said: “Sam has only been training with us for 12 months but he has come on in leaps and bounds during that time and has all the attributes needed to be a big success.”

His proud mum, Tracy Fishwick, added: "I must admit I wasn’t keen on the idea of Sam getting into boxing initially.

“I tried to steer him down the football route instead because my other son is at Manchester City but it was pretty obvious football wasn’t Sam’s thing.

“Reluctantly, I decided to let him try Thai boxing and he fell in love with it so it all stemmed from there.

“He already has a couple of titles and now he has his sights set on a European title, and I wouldn’t put that past him because when he sets his mind on something he’s very determined.”