WIRRAL Muay Thai fighter Joe Ryan became the youngest ever professional ISKA World Champion when he beat Spain’s Ignasi Larios in Liverpool.

Ryan, 18, knocked out the well-respected Larios in less than a minute to be crowned world champion in his first world title fight – just six months after becoming the youngest ever WBC European Champion with victory over Spain’s Jose Hita in Bolton.

He said: “I didn’t expect the fight to be finished so quickly – there was a lot of hard work leading up to that!

“I really wanted to show myself and I finally got to do it and then it was over like that.

“He came rushing a little bit and I was trying to take him down. He threw the hard body shot first which we’ve seen him do before, so when he dropped his right hand I threw the left high kick and caught him.”

As long-time Ryan watchers know, the teenager is trained by dad Karl, who runs the Two Brothers Muay Thai gym in Birkenhead.

Ryan snr said: “Winning a world title is a big deal but it didn’t surprise me that he’s done it.

“He really does have all the ability to go right to the very top – and the attitude too.

“Like any sport, Muay Thai isn’t just about strength or skill, it’s about applying yourself and being prepared to work hard week in and week out. Joe has the skill, he has the strength but he is also prepared to do that.

“I could not be more proud of him.”

Fans who missed the fight at Fusion on Fleet Street can watch the whole thing – plus a documentary chronicling the build-up – at https://youtu.be/tEozKKgWQ88

Ryan’s next fight sees him defend his WBC European title against Sweden’s Sanny Dahlbeck at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday, March 4.