Joy and sadness for Muay Thai boxer

Leyton Collymore centre with Lucy Walton and Liam Carmichael (r).

PROMISING young Muay Thai boxer Leyton Collymore-Carr is standing proud after winning a major fight.

The 19 year old won his first ‘A’ class match alongside other highly-rated fighters at the Road to The Main Event contest in Ashton-u-Lyne. Leyton won the fight by unanimous decision - but his joy was tinged with sadness.

He dedicated his victory to the late Rocco Carmichael, the child of Leyton’s friends Lucy Walton and Liam Carmichael. The fight took place on what would have been Rocco’s first birthday.

Triumphant fighters will now feature on the card of the UK’s premier Muay Thai showcase, The Main Event, on May 14.

Leyton, who studies sport exercise and nutrition at the University of Huddersfield, is hoping to train in Thailand this summer.

“He said: “I’m just trying to get Oldham out there more. Great positive things are happening in Oldham and we have an abundance of young sporting talent coming through. Hopefully one day Thai boxing will break out into the main stream and be as popular as boxing.”