A YOUNG Wirral Thai boxer is celebrating after being crowned world champion.

Joe Ryan, from West Kirby, was handed the prestigious belt during the championships in Spain at the start of November.

The 11-year-old, who trains at 2Brothers Muay Thai Gym in Birkenhead - run by his dad Karl - was one of four youngsters from Merseyside to fight for Team GB.

Joe, a pupil at St Anselm's, has been Thai boxing for five years and is the current UK number one.

Dad Karl said: "He is the British, European and also now world champion. He beat Marko Dischnci from Romania in the final to become the unified world champion."

Wirral Globe:

11-year-old Joe Ryan, from West Kirby, with his World Championship belt and dad Karl Ryan, who trains him at 2Brothers Muay Thai Gym in Birkenhead.

Jack Morris, 18, from Wallasey, stopped his Spanish opponent in 15 seconds of the first round with a devastating head kick to also become world champion in his age group.

Leon Fletcher, 15, from Kirby - the current UK number two - stopped his Dutch opponent in four seconds with an inside leg kick, popping his opponents knee.

WBC Champion Mike Egan from North Wales took bronze, losing a controversial decision to an American opponent .

All four fight out of 2Brothers.