MIKEY Worswick is set to get a shot at a world kick boxing title after he was crowned ISKA full contact European champion for the first time in his career at a packed Audley Sports Centre.

The 24-year-old from Accrington defeated Spain’s Jose Angel Hoffstette on a memorable evening at the packed Blackburn venue - now he is hoping to add the world title before the end of the year.

Worswick, who is a member of Kokoro Kick Boxing Club, has had to bide his time for a second shot at conquering Europe having lost to Londoner Audio Kinga a couple of years ago.

But cheered on by a partisan crowd of over 400 spectators, Worswick made sure he got it all right on the night second time around when he defeated the durable Spaniard on points over five pulsating rounds.

Hoffstette was a late replacement for Perth fighter, Ryan Lyall, who pulled out at short notice but he was by no means an easier option for Worswick. The Spaniard came ‘fight ready’ and the former European champion pushed the Accrington man to the limit.

But after Worswick got a unanimous points decision, he immediately set his sights on becoming a world champion.

“I want to be the best in the world by the end of the year,” said Worswick who has won 15 major titles including six British and two Commonwealth crowns.

“That has always been my aim for 2016. I am now the number one contender and I would love a shot at a world title before the year is out.”

Worswick came out all guns blazing in the opening round and knocked the Spaniard down but Hoffstette recovered and gave as good as he got throughout the thrilling five round contest. But he lacked the power and fitness of Worswick who was full of praise for his opponent.

“That is the toughest fight I have ever had,” he said. “Technically, he was not the best but he took everything I threw at him and more. He was a great fighter but these are the types of fighters you have to beat if you want to be number one.”

Worswick’s coach, Jason Curtis, has already earmarked a date in October to go for world glory.

“The venue is booked and I will be doing everything I can to get a world title fight for Mikey,” said Curtis. “He was simply awesome on the evening and the fact that the contest went the full five rounds says a lot about the quality of the opponent.

“He wasn’t just a nobody brought in at late notice. Jose is a quality fighter, a European champion in his own right and someone who pushed Mikey all the way.”

Worswick, in his own words is usually ‘a slow and tentative’ starter and his explosive start even caught Curtis by surprise.

“I have never seen Mikey perform like that before,” added Curtis. “He normally likes to work his way in to a fight but he went at it from the first bell and nearly got the job done in the opening round.

“That was the best performance of his career against the best fighter he has been up against.

“Mikey was just superb but credit to Jose because he kept on coming back for more and refused to be beaten. His courage and resilience was something else and it stood him in good stead throughout the fight.

“But Mikey’s fitness allowed him to sustain the pressure throughout and I was surprised the referee or his corner did not step in to save him. That said, Jose never stopped throwing back, varying kicks and punches to the end.

“It was all go from first bell to last but Mikey deserved the win. We are all delighted for him.”

There were 17 other bouts on the show including a junior demo from ‘little smashers’ Tao Holden and Dillon Allen from the club’s three-to-five-year-old class.

Kaiser Farooq from Accrington won the ISKA Northern area junior kickboxing title under 40kg after beating Byron Greenwood and Lauren Walker defeated Alex Horrick to win the TFS Ladies Light Welterweight title.

And Gav Turner was crowned TFS Super middleweight title on a night to remember for Worswick and his Kokoro team-mates.