BEING the first girl to fight for Blackbird Leys Boxing Club in its 55-year history could be a daunting prospect, especially when you are under 5ft tall.

But Emily Kenny, 11, is unfazed by the competition and would like other girls to join her – so she can fight them.

The pint-sized pugilist from Rose Hill in Oxford took on her first ever skills bout in Swindon last month and is already looking ahead to her next challenge.

She said: “It’s all right being the only girl – it makes me feel more confident and the boys have completely accepted me.

“I think I did quite well in the fight and I really enjoyed it. I’m thinking about doing it professionally.

“More girls should try to get into things like boxing, so I can fight them.”

Before she stepped into the ring, Emily was already a master at the Korean martial art tae kwon do and attained black belt status at the age of 10.

At 4ft 9ins and weighing just 33 kilos, or just over five stone, Emily is also one of the smaller members of the boxing club, which trains on Tuesdays at the community centre.

She said: “It’s a problem being small because there’s not a lot of people my weight and they’re always taller than me.

“The girl in my fight was the same age as me but much taller.

“We also do sparring in tae kwon do and I’m always against taller people. I would like to get a bit bigger.”

Father Matthew Kenny, a decorator who grew up in Blackbird Leys and trained at the club himself aged 16 to 18, said: “I’ve always liked boxing and she has got some talent.

“The club is a good, friendly gang when they get together. It’s a real team and the trainers are nice as well.

“Emily is getting on well – they put a ring up and she gets in there and fights with the boys.”

Mum Louise Hurn, of Thames View Road, said she was “really proud”, adding: “I’m pleased with the fact that she’s gone in there and got on with it. She’s a strong little thing.”

Blackbird Leys Boxing Club was first founded in 1960 and at present is looking for a new home as the number of juniors, aged 10 to 17, has swelled to more than 40.

Although young women and girls have trained at the club before Emily is the first to take on a bout in their name.

Head coach Tony Gibson, 64, said: “It was a skills bout, so there was no decision at the end, but Emily boxed really well.

“We have never had a ban on girls but it’s only been in the last 20 years that girls started boxing.

“We train them exactly the same way as the boys.”