THE great grandson of a former Atherton amateur boxing champion is following in his family’s footsteps after winning a martial arts world championship belt in Italy.

Nine-year-old Louis Harper won the WKA WTKA unified World Championships in Muay Thai and K1, eight to 10 age group, in Italy earlier this month.

Harper beat Russian champion Bubyn Bydynov in his Muay Thai final, also beating another Russian champion, Goor Gitka, in the K1 final.

Inspired by great grandad Tony Concannon, Harper started competing in February 2013 and has already won seven major titles, from regional to English champion with the UKTF association.

His first international title was the WKA WTKA European Championships where he beat Jack Flower in K1.

Harper reached the World Championships after three wins in a row, becoming the WKA British Open Muay Thai runner-up.

He was also the runner up in the UKMF Junior Super League for the nine to 11 year group.