FIGHTING in honour of his much-missed grandparents helped a determined young boxing star from Greenock scoop a top title.

Noah Waddell, 12, took a British belt in his weight and age category for Muay Thai boxing at a Fighting For Autism (FFA) event in Aberdeen earlier this month.

Noah's win means that he and his brother Jonah, 13, are now both FFA British champions.

The boys, who live in John Street, lost their grandmother last year and then lost their other gran just the week before Noah's fight.

Proud dad Mark says Noah could have opted not to take part in the competition but chose to carry on in memory of his gran.

Mark said: "I presented Noah with every opportunity not to fight but he was determined.

"He fought for his gran and her memory really spurred him on.

"The boys have had a really rough year - they lost their two grans within a really short space of time.

"They would have been so proud to see their determination to succeed."

King's Oak pupil Noah's winning bout was a five-rounder against a young fighter from East Kilbride.

Mark says he's starting to make his way up the ranks because of his style of fighting.

Jonah fought in an exhibition bout at the Aberdeen event.

He holds an FFA British Muay Thai title at a different weight and age group and is also the current Scottish Thai Boxing Association champion.

Mark says the next step for the boys, who train at Colosseum MMA and Inverclyde Boxing Club, is to win at the Scottish Intermediate Boxing Open later year.

It's believed that if the boys win medals or place in that competition, they will be the first kids in Scotland to hold Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing titles at the same time.

He added: "That's never been done before, so it will be a great achievement.

"I'm so proud of them.

"I know how much hard work they put into it."

Mark added: "We would really struggle without the backing of our sponsors, so we would like to thank them for their continued support."