A FORMER world champion kickboxer from Flintshire is back from Thailand ready to train keen amateurs for a big charity bout.

Russ Williams, who runs gyms in Caerwys and Wrexham, has just returned from training and helping with instructing at his old trainer's gyms in central Bangkok, and countryside by the beach near Cha Am.

He said: "I loved the training in the heat and also helping instruct students from complete beginner to experienced fighters and instructors from all around the world."

Thohsaphon Sitiwatjana, known as 'Master Toddy' is one of the founder's that brought Thai and kickboxing to the UK. He helped Russ become a four times World Kickboxing Champion and a successful instructor who has helped set up clubs throughout the North Wales and Cheshire areas.

While in Bangkok 'Master Toddy' asked Russ to spar with one of his up and coming unbeaten students ranked in the WBC Professional Boxing World Rankings, who has had 12 fights including 10 knock-outs. Russ also met Yui Superat Kaewkampha who helps to teach children in Phu Wiang National Park near Khon Kaen in Thailand. She helps the children with English and shows them some of Russ' defensive/fitness techniques.

She is applying for UK visa to come visit for two months in June where she will be learning more from Russ at his gyms to start ladies only and children classes on her return to Thailand

As well as running the normal classes at his Gyms in Abbot street Wrexham, above Penny Black Bar, and on the Square in Caerwys, Russ is holding an Interclub on February 24 for up and coming fighters from around the North Wales / Cheshire areas. Then will hold a kickboxing event, April 27.

Russ said: "I'm working closely with the World Kickboxing Association with big things planned this year. I'm disappointed that without government recognition too many promoters are putting on un-sanctioned shows and making up titles as they see it's a cheap way of trying to sell more tickets instead of building the fighters up gradually to become true champions."

Training for the next charity Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) show is starting on Monday, February 4 at 8pm and anyone is welcome to join and take part.

Russ was asked to do the UWCB Boxing for this area over five years ago and the Wrexham gym has since raised over £60,000 towards Cancer Research UK.

The UWCB put on more than 350 Boxing events a year around the UK and have raised over £16.5 million so far.

Russ said: "I enjoyed meeting the hundreds of people over these years and many have stayed on for the regular classes. It is so inspirational what they are doing and it's a privilege to help them with his other instructors get ready in the eight weeks leading up to the event.

"They range completely in their professions from ones that are unemployed through to bricklayers, models, prison officers shopkeepers solicitors, bankers, and publicans."

He added: "They all have one thing in common though which is to raise money for a good cause through someone they know being affected by the disease."

Russ is an approved boxing trainer with the British Boxing Board of Control

He can be contacted about his classes, events or training in Thailand by email at russ@russbox.co.uk, via text on 07814516102 or through website or Facebook page 'Russ Williams Muay Thai Kickboxing Wrexham Caerwys and Deeside.