KEELY Battrick has been crowned world kick boxing champion in what was her toughest battle - both in and out of the ring.

The 16-year-old went to war with reigning champion, Victoria Perkins, in a bloody and bruising encounter that dad Billy, who is also her coach, said was ‘a tough watch’ watching from ringside.

The former Mount Carmel pupil came out on top in a gruelling five round contest to get the judges’ decision to lift the ISKA 16-18 year-old title at Thornbury Leisure in Bristol.

Billy admitted he was elated but exhausted when his daughter finally achieved her 10-year dream to become a world champion.

“When Keely was six-years-old she told me she was going to be a world champion and since that day she has shown no fear in the ring and true grit and determination week-in, week-out in training,” said Billy who runs Fit2Fight Kickboxing Club in Accrington.

“This was definitely her hardest fight. She has destroyed her previous opponents but Victoria was taller, very strong and the reigning world champion so we always knew it was going to be tough.

“But this was the day Keely had been preparing for and she was ready for what ever she threw at her.”

He added: “It was a war and it was pretty brutal at times, especially the opening couple of rounds where both fighters were covered in blood.

“It was a tough watch as her dad so I had to let the coach in me kick in rather than the parent.

“It was an exciting fight, I was elated but exhausted when she won. At the end, it was a mixture of pride and relief.”

Battrick, who is an apprentice at Burnley Leisure Centre, gave away height advantage against her Welsh opponent who tried to keep the contest at long range.

On the first bell, the Accrington teenager went straight after Perkins with full power kicks and hard body shots and turned the opening round into a street fight which had the champion retreating.

Perkins hit back in the second and landed some hard jabs injuring Battrick’s nose, but the East Lancs fighter ended the round strongly with a series of sickening body shots.

Battrick upped the pressure in the third round and had the champion reeling when she landed her trademark spinning back kick to the face then followed up with some head punches that had Perkins on the ropes.

But the champion showed she was made of harder stuff and hurt Battrick in the fourth with some powerful front kicks.

However, there was to be no denying Battrick her date with destiny as she mounted a sustained attack in the fifth and final round - putting the champion on the back foot with her own front kicks and hard head punches until the final bell.

She was announced unanimous winner with all three judges scoring in favour of Battrick.

“We knew she was ahead going in to the last round but when you are fighting the champion and fighting away from home, you can not take any chances so we told Keely to give it everything she had.

“We were delighted when she got the judges decision.

“It was a superb fight, the atmosphere was incredible and both fighters got a standing ovation at the end.”

He added: “Victoria was a great champion and made Keely dig deep and pushed her to her limits.

“After the fight, Keely said ‘Dad, she was just really strong and hit hard but I hit harder’.”

Battrick said Keely’s success had been a real team event, thanking sponsor Glenn Slater and her two corner men, Paul Thomas and Steph Fox - and mum Tracy.

“These four people have been a massive influence on Keely and all the fighters at the gym. They are the unsung heroes and after 20 years of coaching and involvement in the sport, this is our gym’s greatest achievement,” he added.

Keely, who also attended St Oswalds Primary School, now boasts a record of 71 wins from her 73 fights - and dad insists the two loses were both controversial defeats.

“We have asked for for a rematch but have always been turned down,” said Billy. “Maybe if she puts her title on the line she could finally avenge the only two blemishes on her fight record.”

Keely has now won everything to win in her age group - her outstanding record has seen her win 71 of her 73 fights winning English, British, Commonwealth and Europe titles in the process.

She has now added the world title to that collection.