A YOUNG boxer from the east end of Greenock is in training for one of the biggest boxing shows in Scotland as he gets set to fight at Hampden.

Noah Waddell is only 14 but is the British Schoolboy Champion and has represented Scotland at international level.

The teenager, who has been boxing and kickboxing since he was just six-years-old, lifted the British title in Cardiff.

Noah is now gearing up for the major South Side Boxing Academy show which will take place at Hampden on October 28.

His dad Mark, who competed in kick boxing, coached him when he was younger. Mark has passed on his skills to both Noah and elder son Joshua, who is 15.

He said: "Noah won the British title then the Scotland team took him out to Slovenia.

"He got to fight and spar with all different nationalities, which was invaluable, especially at his young age."

Greenock Telegraph:

Noah has enjoyed a fantastic run of success lately and his dad, step-mum Stacey and all the family are extremely proud of him.

Mark, 42, said: "He's won every national title except for the western district, which runs on the same date as when he is going to Wexford Boxing Club in Ireland.

"He won the novice, intermediate, Scottish Golden Gloves and the British, all in less than 10 fights."

The youngster trained locally and with his dad at Colosseum Martial Arts in Greenock before transferring to the South Side Boxing Academy in Glasgow.

Mark said: "I take Noah with me to the gym three nights a week and then take him up to Glasgow.

"Up there he's got a plethora of champions to spar with, he is constantly being pushed and challenged since he moved up there due to the level of the kids and their boxing. It's one of the best boxing clubs in Scotland."

Mark says he could see Noah's potential at an early stage.

He said: "He was always a wee bit fiery from a young age and very competitive.

"He had his heart set on becoming professional since we knew he had the skills.

"Noah and Joshua are much better now than I ever was and they have made the whole family proud."

Noah will have squad of supporters cheering him on at Hampden, including his football team-mates from Port Glasgow Boys' Club.

Mark said: "His team-mates are travelling up to see him and he'll have close to 30 people up there."

The proud dad wants to thank Noah's sponsors and says without them he wouldn't have been able to enjoy all the opportunities he's had.

This includes Mark Coyle of Garden Maintenance 4U, who helped him to go to Slovenia, and Fight Face, who provide him with safety equipment.

Mark said: "His sponsors have helped Noah to travel to fights all over the country and abroad.

"If it wasn't for local businesses we would be struggling to be able to support Noah pursue his dream."