LENNON Fortey lives for kickboxing.

The 14-year-old Leasowes High School student from Quinton has already won titles at English, British and European level.

An established international, Lennon now has his sights set on becoming a word champions in the 45-50 kilo category when he travels to Italy later this year.

The teenager only took up kickboxing three years ago and has simply thrived on it ever since. He trains six days a week and travels the country most Sundays in search of competition.

Proud mum Jane Ryan cannot believe the transformation in Lennon and said: “He's a very shy boy and extremely modest. He wouldn't dream of taking his trophies to Leasowes High School where he is a pupil.

“He's like a completely different person when he steps into the ring. It's as though something switches on and his face lights up, it's quite scary really.

“Once he gets back out of the ring, he goes straight back to being his normal quiet self.

“It's very rare that he doesn't win gold every weekend, he's that good.”

Only last month he fought over five round for the English title, which he duly won.

"I dread to think how many miles we’ve clocked up travelling the length and breadth of the country each week,” Jane said. “Wherever there's a competition, we'll be there.”

Lennon trains under the guidance of instructors Neil Kelly and Sean Quinn at the Uska Fight Factory in Tyesley.

Jane added: “He was so quiet as a boy, he wouldn't talk to anyone and I wanted to get him involved in something.

“He tried football but it wasn't for him and then my sister Lisa suggested kickboxing. When I first took him along, his face lit up and he just told me he wanted to fight.

“I still don't believe Lennon has reached his peak yet, but already the house looks more like a trophy shrine.

“His room is so full of trophies that they've now overflowed into the hallway and the living room – we shall need an extension at this rate.”