A local boxer has spent his final year as a teenager establishing himself on the semi-professional scene after winning six of his nine fights. Max Nicholson trains under coach Josh O’Gara at JFT gym in Cleveleys. The former Hodgson’s Academy student turns 20 in December and is completing a plumbing and heating engineer apprenticeship. He believes the sport is the best way for a young person to stay focused and improve their mental health. “I’ve done combat sports on and off for a few years,” said Max. “It was taking part in a charity Ultra white-collar boxing event that gave me the confidence to commit to getting in the ring and facing more experienced fighters.” He recently secured the Independent Boxing Championship (IBC) area welterweight belt at a show held at Flights Sports Bar in Fleetwood. More than 200 people attended the outdoor event where he controlled the four-round bout and put on what one pundit described as a ‘stellar performance’. Max now plans to enter England Boxing events to travel further across the region and his coach believes he could turn professional within two years. His next appearance will be a prize fight tournament at the Layton Institute on October 23.