PADDY Fitzpatrick says that seeing his son make his amateur boxing debut filled him with immense pride.

Born in Las Vegas and taken to his first boxing gym at just five days old, 11-year-old DJ Fitzpatrick appeared in an ABA skills bout in Devizes.

And his star trainer dad Paddy says that it was a proud moment, even if mum Kerry was a little worried.

“It was really nice to see DJ box,” Fitzpatrick said. “He was born in Vegas and has been going to gyms since he was five days old and 11 years later, he is making his boxing debut.

“I was really proud of him, like I am of all my young boxers, but with him being my son, there was a little more.

“I think I was more concerned about his mum than DJ, because she was a nervous wreck.

“They call these fights skills bout, but neither of the boxers see it that way and give it their all all the way.

“My youngsters are fighting under the Devizes ABC banner and it was good to see the relationship that DJ has built up with Paul Williams.”

For his debut, DJ shared the ring with Portland’s Toby Birley, while another of Fitzpatrick’s youngsters, Matt Pizzey, was also in a skills bout and he faced Shepton Mallet’s Cage Slyvestyer.

Will Mason had to be withdrawn from his bout with Cirencester’s Nigel Harris due to a nose injury after the first round, while there was joy for Lewis Roberts after he beat Barton Hill’s Jack Fitzpatrick.