A BOLTON boxer and aspiring firefighter has declared her ambition to become a world champion ahead of taking part in England’s national amateur competition.

Former Smithhills High pupil Cindy Ngamba, 22, had her first bout in 2017 and since then has taken part in 11 amateur fights.

She is a previous winner of the England Boxing National Amateur Championships in 2019 and now hopes to win the title again this year.

Cindy said: “My brother, Kennet and I moved to the UK in 2010 from France where we had lived for two years after leaving Cameroon when I was nine.

“My mum had to stay in France and Kennet who is one year older than me, had to look after me in the UK.

"I left Smithills in 2014 and was very shy and had gained a lot of weight.

“I sat down with Kennet and we came up with a plan for me to lose some weight and gain some confidence, so I joined a female football team at Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

“But when I was there, I noticed the boxers looked great and were having a great time and I thought 'I want to try that’ so, I did.

“I became the only female boxer at the club, I worked hard, and with the help of my coaches lost 20 kilos in weight and had my first fight, which I won, and it all started from there.”

Cindy is now studying public service at Bolton University with the aim of qualifying as a firefighter.

In the boxing world her ultimate ambition is to become a world champion.

She has been helped along the way thanks to sponsorship from Bolton manufacturer Slingco.

Managing director Nick Dykins said: “I have never met anyone who radiates positivity and happiness as much as Cindy. She is like a human mood-booster.

“Spending time with Cindy lifts your spirits, if you’re feeling down, you feel good and if you’re already good, you feel great. We are delighted to be playing at least a small part in Cindy’s journey and I know with certainty she will go all the way to the top.”

The England Boxing National Amateur Championships will conclude on Sunday, December 12.

Mr Dykins has appealed for anyone interested in supporting Cindy or other young boxers to contact him at nick@slingco.com