WIRRAL Muay Thai fighter Joe Ryan won his second professional world title at the weekend, knocking out Swede Magnus Andersson in Manchester.
The 19-year-old, from New Brighton, needed just 58 seconds to add the WMO belt to his collection after winning the ISKA World Title in December.
Ryan, who knocked out the Mexico-based 29-year-old with a single kick to the head, clearly enjoyed his victory, especially after some Andersson supporters in the crowd had dubbed him "just a boy".
The teenager, who is also a double WBC European champion, has been labelled "The future of Muay Thai", with his rise to the top starting at the age of just six.
By 13 he was a youth world champion and fighting for Team GB in the annual IFMA Youth World Muay Thai Championships in Bangkok.
Dad Karl, also Ryan’s trainer at Two Brothers Muay Thai gym in Birkenhead, said: "Years of hard work & sacrifice are all paying off, Joe is now number 1 in the world.
"We’re all over the moon for him."
Ryan’s next fight is in August at the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
Before that he's pulling on his football boots for a charity match between Weapons Down Gloves Up – which helps find jobs for young adults with addiction or other issues – and Liverpool-based anti-crime campaigners No More Knives.
The match, which takes place at Marine FC on Sunday July 2, features the likes of Liverpool and Everton FC legends Robbie Fowler and Peter Reid, former boxers Derry Matthews and Tony Bellew and UFC fighter Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.
Reigning female light-middleweight world title holder Natasha Jonas is also lining up for No More Knives.
One of Ryan’s team-mates in the Weapons Down Gloves Up team is Liverpool singer-songwriter Jamie Webster, whose track Weekend in Paradise is Ryan’s walk-on music.
Ryan said: "I can't wait to play alongside Jamie as well as loads of other total legends!
"Both Weapons Down and No More Knives are such brilliant causes and it’s going to be a fantastic afternoon."
To buy in-person or streaming tickets for the match, click here
Two Brothers Muay Thai gym in Birkenhead runs regular classes for adults and children from the age of five upwards.
For more information, click here
Joe Ryan June 1: Joe Ryan with, from left, Karl Ryan Jnr (Joe's brother), Jompop Kiathphontip, dad Karl and Hasan Alsaigh Joe Ryan June 2: Joe Ryan with Vinny Shoreman Joe Ryan June 3: Joe Ryan with the WMO belt after his victory over 29-year-old Magnus Andersson at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester
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