THE organiser of the World Kick-Boxing Championships says the event could leave him destitute - despite one of his charges retaining his world title belt.

Craig Richardson, 16, defeated a Russian boxer to keep his world title, in front of fervent support at Consett's Belle Vue Sports Centre.

But staging the event has left organiser Goff Bates facing mounting debts.

Craig, from Lanchester, was the star attraction, and lived up to top billing with a five-round victory over 6ft 3in Hungarian-Russian fighter Viragos Peter.

The teenager retained his World Kick-Boxing Association junior world title belt to the delight of local supporters.

His trainer, Mr Bates, who sunk his life savings into the event, says he still has large debts.

At home, nursing his bruised feet, Craig said his victory was hard-fought. He said: "He was 6ft 3in and looked skinny, but he surprised me with his first kick - he was a lot harder than he looked."

Mr Bates, who runs Annfield Plain's Martial Arts and Sports Academy Centre, said: "On a personal note, the event has left me in financial trouble. I feel it should have been given more support from local businesses.

"On a sporting level, I had nine of my lads fighting, and seven of them won."

Other winners from the academy centre were Kenny Crawford, Jamie Bates, Mark Graham, Dale Gibson, Gary Remington and Gavin Graham.

Other North-East winners were Carmeron Ludman, from Redcar, and Paul Lundrin.