AN 11-year-old boy stepped into the ring against a professional boxing champion to raise funds for his school.

Sam Fosberry, of Cranleigh Gardens, Allington, Maidstone, sparred for four minutes with WBU world bantamweight champion, Johnny Armour, from Chatham.

The event, held at Allington Community Centre, raised almost £300 for the Astor of Hever School. The school, at Oakwood Park, Maidstone, is raising money for its bid for sports college status.

Sam's father, Kevin, said: "He put on a great show. He was really good. Sam's really a footballer but because Johnny Armour is a good friend of mine, Sam wanted to do a special spar against him.

"John did an excellent job in getting involved. He was kind enough to come out of his busy training schedule to do this for us."

* Tickets for Johnny Armour's next bout, on Saturday, March 8, at the York Hall, Bethnal Green are available from Mr Fosberry on 07946 395408. His opponent has yet to be announced.