Bury’s very own fighting sensation is set to hit the international scene next month at the European Muay Thai Championships.

Lewis George, 16, a fighter from Fishpool, has been selected to represent Team GB at the tournament from February 13 to 20.

The fighter has won more titles than any other at GFC Muay Thai and has become a hero at the Bury Muay Thai boxing club.

Now that the International Muay Thai Federation has been officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee, Lewis could stand a chance at making his debut at the 2024 games.

Lewis said: “The call came from nowhere when they told me I would be on the team, and caught me totally by surprise as I was relaxing over the Christmas break.

“Getting called by such a big name association and the owner of Team GB, Tommy Collins, opens so many doors and opportunities and I’m beyond grateful for that.

“And if I’m lucky enough to go the Olympics, whatever happens I’ll be making history as one of the first people to compete in Muay Thai at the Olympics, so it’s almost like I can’t lose.

He added: “The first time I stepped into a Muay Thai gym, I was about five years old and my dad introduced the sport to me and I simply fell in love from day one.

“Every other kid in my school wanted to be a footballer growing up, and I liked that, but I dreamed of being a fighter.

“To be successful at it, you’ve got to be obsessed, there is no middle ground in this sport, you have to be all in otherwise you’ll lose.

“You have to go into every fight confident and with a positive attitude and that’s what I’m going to bring with me to Istanbul, and hopefully, Paris in 2024.”

So far, Lewis has won more than 20 titles in fights in the UK and abroad, with his proudest moment being at the World Championships in Carrera, Italy, in which he took home two world champion titles.

He considers his trainer, Liam Harrison, at training gym Bad Company in Leeds, to be his fighting hero and role model.

Lewis’s dad, Mark said: “It’s amazing that he’s been spotted by Team GB and I couldn’t be prouder.

“Muay Thai has always been something I’m passionate about and when I first introduced him to it, it was quite nerve-wracking at first.

“Over time he grew more confident and I saw that he has a talent for this.

“Going to the Olympics would be like winning the lottery but I’m already so proud that he has made it this far.”