DANIEL Battrick is set to get a shot at a European title after successfully defending his WKA British Championship belt in Accrington.

The 17-year-old beat former British champion Sam Babb in a rematch after Battrick had stopped his Chester rival in their first meeting last month.

Now Battrick, a member of Fit2Fight Kickboxing Club, could fight for a continental crown by the end of the year - either home or abroad.

The British title fight was top of the bill at the Poplar Working Men’s Club in an event hosted by Fit2Fight Kickboxing Club which is run by Battrick’s dad Billy.

More than 30 junior and senior contests were on the bill with fighters from East Lancashire-based clubs all taking part.

But Battrick v Babb Part Two took top billing.

Babb, a member of BKN Kickboxing Club in Chester, troubled the home favourite in the opening round, catching Battrick with side kick’s as he struggled to adapt to his opponent’s left-handed stance.

But Battrick, who only returned to the ring last month after two years out of action, worked out his rival in the second round, countering with right hands before landing a crunching roundhouse just before the bell that left Babb stunned.

Battrick was now on top and forced the referee to give Babb a standing count of eight following a powerful body kick and the referee was forced to step in again in the fourth and Battrick had his man pinned in the corner.

Babb was beaten and in the fifth he just hung on to get to the final bell before the officials awarded the victory to Battick on points.

It was the former Mount Carmel pupil’s fourth British title to add to the five English belts he has won.

Now he is looking for bigger and better things.

“We took the rematch because the WKA said that if Daniel won then he would get a shot at a European title,” said delighted dad Billy. “It was a great fight. Sam is a tough lad and had Daniel worried in the opening round.

“But he took a lot of punishment in the later rounds and he did well to hang on.

“We are now hoping Daniel will get to fight for the European title, either by the end of the year or early in the New Year.”

Daniel’s younger sister Keely was also in action in a late match-up with Padiham Kickboxing Club’s Ellie Moorhouse whose own opponent pulled out at the last minute.

It was a brave decision for Moorhouse to take on the challenge as the younger Battrick, who has won three English and three British titles, has found it hard to find fighters who are prepared to get into the ring with her.

But the gutsy Moorhouse went the same way as Battrick’s last 11 opponents and was stopped in the first round.

Fight of the night was the -80kg clash between Jake Whittaker of Phoenix Kick Boxing Club in Blackburn and Fit2Fight’s John Kershaw.

And it turned out to be a real war with both fighters refusing to take a backward step, which earned them a standing ovation at the final bell. Kershaw just got the nod on points.

Lucas Stirzaker, 14, of the host club, followed up his British title success last month by adding an area title belt when he beat Blackpool’s Danny McHugh – the Rhyddings High School pupil stopping his opponent in the opening round with a crescent kick.

Owen McGill, 43, a former professional British Kick Boxing champion lost on points to Aidy Shorrock, 33, on points in their -70kg contest.

Danny Bell of Fit2Fight beat Martin Sawloski of Blackburn KB on points in another -80kg contest.

Denley McKelvey, 10, won an interclub belt after beating Wigan’s Rio van Zeltz and Nicole Kershaw, sister of John Kershaw, won on her debut against Padiham KB’s Mary Whatmore.

And Lewis Thomas of Dragons KB in Burnley beat Ali MMA’s Mohammed Ali, 13, in a -45kg area belt contest - but only after fighting for an extra round after the bout was drawn after three rounds.

The pair have been pencilled in to meet again for an English title fight in the New Year.