KICK boxing champion Daniel Battrick wasted little time in getting his teeth stuck in to competing again after adding two more titles to his collection.

The 17-year-old from Accrington, who took two years out of competing because he had a brace fitted to his teeth, showed he had lost none of his bite after winning the WKA English title at -65kg and then won the British Open crown at -70kg - the first as a senior fighter.

It was a remarkable comeback from the former Mount Carmel pupil who had already won five English and three British titles by the age of 15 - as well as winning several Open competitions up and down the country.

Now Battrick will defend his English crown against Steve Babb at the Poplar Working Men’s Club in Accrington on Saturday.

Battrick, who is a member of the Fit2Fight Kickboxing Club which is run by his dad Billy, dethroned defending champion Babb when they met in Chester back in April thanks to a stunning third round knockout.

He has given three-time champion Babb a rematch knowing that victory for the Accrington teenager could see him get a shot at a European title.

“It has been hard keeping Daniel out of ring because he wanted to carry on fighting even when he had the brace,” said dad Billy. “But we decided it was better for him to take time out in case he got his teeth damaged.

“However, he has been working hard in the gym nearly every day waiting for his moment.

“Taking on Babb was a bit of a gamble because he is a tough lad and was the defending champion. But Daniel didn’t hesitate, he was determined to get back fighting for titles right away.”

And he certainly marked his return in some style, stopping Babb with a devastating uppercut at the Chester bout.

“It was some performance from Daniel. Babb’s corner reckon he was caught with a sucker punch but that wasn’t the case. That is why we are more than happy to give him a rematch,” said his dad.

“The WKA has told us that if Daniel wins he could well get a shot at a European title so that is a great incentive for him.”

It has been a successful few months for the Back Wellington Street club who returned from the British Open at the Barnsley Metrodome with six champions - including Battrick and his younger sister Keely.

It was a ‘best ever’ return for Fit2Fight at the British Open and Battrick Senior was understandably very proud.

“From a personal point of view, as a dad, it was a proud moment for both my son and daughter to be crowned British champions at the same time again. But as a coach, to win six titles, our best ever result, was just brilliant.”

Lucas Stirzaker, 14, a pupil at Rhyddings High School, won the under 15s -65kg crown, beating Connor Gore from York to add to Northern and English titles he had already won.

Zach Livesey, 20, beat Steve Roulette from Barnsley to clinch the -65kg senior title.

There was also success for Leon Jones, 11, in the -45kg nine to 11-year-old category while young Aniq Hussain, seven, won the seven to nine-year-old category.

Keeley Battrick proved to be just too good once again as she won her third consecutive British Open title and stretched her record to 62 wins out of 65 fights.

The Mount Carmel pupil, who has won by knockout in each of her last five bouts, is nicknamed the Terror of the North and is now so dominate her dad is struggling to find fighters who are willing to take her on.

“Keeley is just incredible,” said Billy. “She is just so strong that no-one wants to fight her. We have a home show at the weekend and she is having to sit it out as we can’t find her an opponent. It means we now may have to look to Ireland or Europe to find her another opponent.”

The younger of the Battrick battlers has now won three English and British titles and and is unbeaten in the -45kg category in 35 fights.

“She just blasted everyone in sight,” added Battrick Snr. “It was hard to keep track of who she was up against because as soon as they stepped in the ring, they were out again!”

For Daniel, it was another stepping stone in his remarkable career to date as he not only competed as a senior for the first time but also went up a weight category.

“I didn’t want Daniel fighting in the same class as Zach so he agreed to go up a weight.” Added Billy, 43, “I was hoping he would be up against other 17 and 18-year-old but he was fighting guys in their late 20s and 30s but took it all in his stride.”

Batttrick beat Edward Smith from Suffolk to claim yet another British title.

Now he is back in action at the weekend, hoping to win seventh English title in what is sure to be a packed out Poplar club on Saturday.

There will be 30 bouts on the card with fighters from Dragon Kick Boxing in Burnley, Paul Ramsey’s Kick Boxing Club and Phoenix, both from Blackburn, Kokoro from Accrington and Nelson-based Ali MMA – as well as host club Fit2Fight - all in action.