WIRRAL teenage Thai boxing sensation Joe Ryan ended his year on a high after becoming world champion for the fourth time.

The 13-year-old West Kirby fighter, who won a gold medal for Team GB in Bangkok in the summer, beat Dutch number one Jayden Entingh to become the first Yokkao junior world champion.

Watched by his entire family, the St Anselm’s College student racked up his 35th back-to-back win in the Barnsley Metrodome, a record which stretches back to 2014.

The teenager, who fights at 56kg, is now taking a well-earned break before defending his title in February.

He said: “It feels fantastic to be a world champion again.

“I’m looking forward to having Christmas off but it will be brilliant to take on the French champion next year as the first Yokkao world champ ever.”

Dad and trainer Karl, who runs the Two Brothers Muay Thai gym in Birkenhead where Joe and his younger brother Karl Jr train, said: “It’s been an absolutely amazing year, we’re all so proud of Joe.

“Yokkao run their own shows all over the world and the Yokkao world title is what all the fighters want.

“Because Joe is UK number one he got the first crack when they put a junior world title up for grabs and to win it is just amazing.

“Becoming an IFMA Youth gold medallist in the summer is probably still his greatest achievement but to end the year as a four-time world champion – two unified, IFMA and now Yokkao – is out of this world.

“The Dutch lad was no walkover – he had a record of 40 wins and two losses – but he was no match for Joe.

“He fought so brilliantly on the night.”

Joe started fighting at the age of six and his exploits have won him almost 8,000 followers on Instagram.

As well as looking after his own career and school work, he also helps his dad, a former fighter himself, with training the younger fighters at Two Brothers.

Two Brothers Muay Thai gym in Birkenhead runs regular classes for adults and children from the age of five upwards.

For more information, visit the Facebook page 2 Brothers Muay Thai Gym, go to 2BrothersMuayThai.com or call 07816 972453.