A THAI boxer tipped as the next superstar to come from a North-East town is gearing up for a fight in South America.

Ellis Corrie, from Darlington, will travel to Cordoba, in Argentina, next month for a bout against Martin Velasco.

It is a fight his trainer Paul Hamilton is confident the 17-year-old can win.

Mr Hamilton, who runs Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy, at The Northern Echo Arena, home of Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club, said: "He has fought abroad before, in Malaysia, Turkey and Italy, and he has 67 fights under his belt now, so he has good experience.

"Of those 67 fights, he has only lost nine.

"I think the lad [Velasco] is strong, but is technically better, he has a better technique.

"It will certainly be a tough fight for him, you do not expect a walkover if you go halfway round the world for a fight.

"He has trained really hard and he is ready for this, it is the chance of a lifetime.

"Ellis is going to be the next big superstar to come out of Darlington."

Other fighters from Mr Hamilton's gym to have overseas fights diaried include 12-year-old Josh Shaw, who will travel to Thailand for a bout, and Chloe Roddam, who will take part in a tournament in Barcelona in June.