OKEHAMPTON Thai boxer Sammy Jo Luxton has fought her way to a British title after overcoming tough opposition in the ring.

Sammy Jo, aged 16, who attends the Team Chaos Muay Thai and Fitness Centre in Okehampton, took on Neisha Emsley, a strong unbeaten southpaw Thai boxer from Semtex gym in London.

The two put up an exciting fight in Bedford where they were the first female boxers to compete on the fight programme, for the vacant and first ever Junior WBC national under 18s titles. Both fought five, two minute contests, exchanging kicks, boxing, with knees to chest, body and head.

Sammy Jo showed more dominance in the rounds and landed some great kicks and jump knees to the chest to impress the watching crowd and judges. 

This is the second WBC belt to come from the shelves of Team Chaos, showing to be a team to be reckoned with, representing the UK, and out of Okehampton. 

Sammy Jo, who studies at Okehampton College, has had a busy few months, not only studying for her GCSE exams but also juggling a training regime to prepare for the under 18s Junior WBC title shot in Muay Thai Boxing. 

She had to make extra preparations for the tricky style of her opponent Neisha Emsley. Sammy Jo won on a unanimous decision and became the first ever junior female under 18s title belt holder. 

She told the Times: 'I have worked extremely hard for this, training super hard and out running every day and eating really clean. 

'The atmosphere was ecstatic, the whole room was jumping with excitement as it was the first female U18s WBC title. I felt on top of the world when they raised my hand as I knew it would open more gates and get me bigger and better fights.

'I want to be the best I can be in the sport. I am going to the GB trials at the end of the month and hopefully will get into the adult rankings by the end of the year.

'Thai boxing is a mixture of strength, speed and techniques. I love throwing different combinations and pushing myself to get the win. It's a massive buzz when your hand is raised and you know you've worked hard and that's what I love about the sport.'

'A massive thank you to Steve and Christi who have trained me so hard to get me to where I am today and the gym members who always come and support and my family who drive me around the country and who are so supportive.'

Her coach Steve Pender added: 'It makes me incredibly proud to have two WBC title holders under Team Chaos with our other instructor Christi Brereton holding the WBC national in the women's bantamweight division. 

'Sammy Jo has always been super talented and determined and has had the best junior training camp behind her to take her to the next level. I think she can go all the way to making her professional debut into the women's division, which is something we are looking at next!' 

Sammy Jo is looking to represent team GB in Benidorm in November.

For information on how to sponsor her, contact [email protected]">[email protected]