York's emerging tradition as a Thai boxing hotbed is set to get another boost with Neil Thompson about to take on the best in the world.

The 23-year-old from Dringhouses has been selected to fight for Great Britain in the 67 kilogramme category at the World Amateur Muay Thai championships in March as a genuine medal contender.

He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to represent my country and to take part with the chance of winning a medal.

"I'm expecting to face tough opposition, and I'll have to be at the top of my game to do well.

"I'm hoping that this will give me the platform to take my fight career on to the next stage and I'll be looking to challenge for domestic belts later on this year."

Thompson boosted his pre-tournament credentials by beating Ross George of the Kaang Raang club, Luton, in three rounds under full Thai rules in Oldham in his latest outing.

Full Thai rules include knees and elbows to the head but, unlike in the professional game, amateurs wear some padding.

Thompson, who is sponsored by the Lowther pub and Ruby Arts and hopes to go into marketing in the near future, became addicted to the high-adrenaline combat sport five years ago after trying it at the Way of Life club.

He joined Andy Wilby's gym, where role model and world champion Richard Cadden, now fighting out of the Bad Company gym in Leeds, was developing his early global-conquering credentials.

He said: "When I was first starting, we trained at the same gym. I have been watching his fight career really take off and it's great seeing what he has achieved."

Thompson's pilgrimage to Thailand - his first competitive appearance in the home of the sport - follows in the footsteps of Cadden, who returned from the 2002 championships with a bronze medal.

His visit this time round will include two weeks of training before the championships start followed by time travelling in Vietnam and Cambodia as he turns 24.

Updated: 09:52 Saturday, February 18, 2006