BRITISH Thai kick-boxing champion Kieran Keddle has kicked his way into the record books after winning a big fight in Thailand.

This victory will enable him to become the first Englishman to fight in the famous Bangkok Lumpinee Stadium, the home of Thai kick-boxing, where he is confident of winning the bout, scheduled for November.

To get there, the 20-year-old had to fight in Patia, near Bangkok, in front of more than 1,000 partisan fans and comfortably beat his opponent.

Keddle said: “I was nervous to begin with but soon forgot about that. I had my opponent on the back foot and I cut his eye, which he later needed six stitches.

“I put him down with a few kicks and got some good knees in his ribs aswell. My defence was tight and that helped me out.”

Keddle currently holds four British kick boxing titles: the British WMTO Welterweight and Light-Welterweight belts, the British WKA belt and the British WAKO-PRO belt.

Along with visiting places like Holland and France, Thailand offers him a chance to meet professionals for advice and a chance to perform in the best fights.

This win comes only a few months after recently beating the WAKO Pro-World Thai Boxing champion, Warren Brown. He was a little disappointed that his opponent did not put his belt on the line for the title. He said: “I was annoyed because I think he knew I was going to beat him. That's why he didn't put his belt on the line and I reckon he chickened out of it.”

Keddle first got into Thai kick-boxing thanks to his brother Alan, when he was 10 years old, after his brother took up the sport when at university in Manchester.

His brother now runs his own gym, Keddle's Gym, in Chelsfield Lane, Orpington, where he and Kieran teach kick-boxing full-time.

When he's not teaching, Keddle takes his training seriously and works out with his brother, running five times a week and training six times a week. He runs around six miles in the morning and does some sparring, sit-ups and press-ups in the afternoon.

Keddle maintained his top form by beating Bo Amomu, the African, French and Inter-continental champion, over five rounds during the Italy versus the Rest of the World tournament, in Turin last Friday night, watched by more than 3,000 fans.

He said: “I elbowed him and cut his head badly and part of his ear was ripped off. In the first two rounds I cut him quite a bit with some powerful attacks. The crowd were shouting “Bravo, bravo, bravo”.

“Amomu was a tough opponent and he is a few years older than me and has not lost many fights, so it was a good victory.”

Keddle will be fighting next at the Equinox nightclub, in Leicester Square, in August.

Meanwhile, Keddle is looking for someone to sponsor him on his quest for the world title as he takes in fights from across the globe.

It's a chance for a company to have their name printed on his outfit, and with his talent and enthusiasm, he is destined to be a future world Thai kick-boxing champion.

Call him on 07939 963 359 or at Keddle's Gym on 01689 835555. Anyone interested in Thai kick-boxing is also more than welcome to come along.