A TEENAGE kickboxer from the North-East is following in footsteps of her famous cage-fighting father.

Fifteen-year-old Kennedy Freeman is the daughter of mixed martial artist Ian Freeman, who is known as ‘The Machine’.

Mr Freeman, who owns a gym in Stanley, County Durham, where the family live, was the British light heavyweight champion of Cage Rage and the first English person to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Now Kennedy, a Tanfield School pupil who trains at the North-East Kickboxing Academy in Burnopfield three to four times week, has become a national champion herself.

She holds the British Freestyle Kickboxing and karate Organisation British Full Contact Cadet title.

Kennedy said: “I have grown up around him fighting and winning titles and he has not pushed me in that direction, but he has guided me. It has inspired me a lot and I love the sport so what better way to get on than to have Ian Freeman as your Dad.”

In August, Kennedy won a gold medal at World Organisation of Martial Arts Athletes World Games, in Telford, Shropshire, which is the sports equivalent of the Olympics.

Next month she is taking part in the ICO World Championships in Paris.

Mr Freeman, 46, said: “She was four years old when she first put on a pair of boxing gloves and trained with me. She has got a natural talent and is not just winning because of who her dad is. She works very hard with me and her coach Wes Fagan. We are two of the best in the country so she is in good hands.

“But she is still a teenager at the end of the day. At home we will have a cuddle, she will sit on my knee or call ‘I love you, Dad’ down the stairs.”