TEENAGE Thai-boxer Joel Buckle will make a first defence of his North-West regional title on Sunday, June 20.

The contest will take place in Manchester against an opponent yet to be confirmed and the Micklegate fighter warmed up with a five-round points victory over Matt Smith in his latest outing at Batley’s Frontier Club.

Tackling an opponent with 11 bouts under his belt, it was a pleasing win for Buckle, who only made his competitive debut last September.

The 18-year-old beat Bolton’s Andy Metcalfe in February to claim the North-West crown and, should he maintain his unbeaten record after his next super-welterweight clash, could be pencilled in for a British title tilt later in the year.

Buckle, who belongs to the Layerthorpe-based Way Of Life camp, added: “I would like to thank everybody for their support and help during my training and fighting.”

Anybody interested in learning Thai-boxing as a form of exercise or with an aim towards competition should phone Way Of Life trainer Andy Wilby on 07816 145673.

Training sessions are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at the Multi-Masters Academy in Layerthorpe.

Tickets for Buckle’s North-West area fight are also available from Wilby.