A KENDAL Muay Thai Kickboxer has raised £300 in his first bout which saw him win via a dominant performance.

Josh Petch, 30, who trains at the Synergy Muay Thai gym in Kendal competed on April 9 and used the match to raise funds for Birchall Trust in Barrow.

Josh competed in Liverpool where he won a unanimous decision, winning all five rounds of striking in the process.

This was his first match after two years of training in the discipline, also known as the art of eight limbs.

He said: “It went very well. About as well as it could go.

“It was a really good experience and I can’t wait to do it again.

“I’m still in that state of mind about it, that it’s not all sunk in yet.

“My first fight and my first win. It’s great.

“I’ve been training in Muay Thai for two years now and I’m really happy with how far I’ve come.

“I’m really grateful for all the donations, and a massive thank you to Marion and Aaron at the gym who have helped train me for so long.”

Coach and gym owner Marion Field said: “Josh absolutely fell in love with Muay Thai after he started two years ago.

“He was really dedicated to his training and was in here most days.

“He’s really come on in confidence and we’re so proud of him.

“We’ve had a few fighters over the years, but Josh is the first to have competed since lockdown put everything on hold.”

Josh will next compete on June 26 at Runcorn.

His match can be found on YouTube at https://youtube.com/watch?v=HSZdv5sy8QU&feature=share.