YOUNG boxer Rebecca French is on the ropes -before she has even swung a punch.

The talented 16-year-old fighter is fully trained, has her Amateur Boxing Association medical card, yet cannot find an opponent to face her.

Rebecca is so good she even outclasses some of her male sparring partners at South Bank Amateur Boxing Club, near Middlesbrough.

Now, coach Denis Power thinks he may have no other option but to advertise on the Internet and in the national Boxing News publication for an opponent.

In the past, he has refereed bouts where gold medal-winning female boxer Amanda Coulson, of Hartlepool, has had to box female fighters flown in from Europe to compete against her.

Rebecca, who lives in South Bank, has been training for five years. Mr Power said: "It is very difficult when she has put such a lot of effort into it. She is quite a good little boxer for a female. She trains very hard and it is something she likes. But it is difficult to find a female opponent around of her age and weight."

Rebecca, who wants a career in childcare, said: "I am always sparring and hoping for a bout.

"I have been boxing for five years. I spar with the lads at the gym, but they do not get rough with me.

"I just want to achieve something. I just keep trying and waiting. It does get very frustrating.

"I would like to get a fight before September, before the end of the season."

The former Gillbrook School pupil, who used to kickbox, has the backing of her family to go as far as she can in the sport. That includes brothers and sisters Michelle, 27, Deborah, 21, Alan, 25 and Darren, 20.

Rebecca, who admitted to being a bit of a tomboy when she was younger, will start a childcare course at college next month.