A INDIAN restaurant owner in County Durham has pledged his support to a local boxing hero ahead of a fight.

Sabir Ahmed, who runs the Cinnamon Spice Club, in Trimdon, is sponsoring Muay Thai boxer Jordan Williams who will take to the ring tomorrow (Saturday, February 13).

The restaurateur has been behind the world-ranked teenager for almost two years but this time has offered up £1,000 to support him.

"This time I'm his biggest promoter," said Mr Ahmed. "We've been sponsoring him because he's a local hero and I thought looking after someone local would be a good thing for me.

"I'm so glad that he came to me for sponsorship. Our chefs even prepare him healthy dishes."

The sportsman, of Trimdon Colliery, will feature at the Time to Fight event at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, on Beveridge Arcade.

Proud Mr Ahmed said 700 tickets had already been sold for the evening of Muay Thai boxing which he anticipated would be attended by about 1,000 people.

In 2013 Williams won the Muay Thai World Championship title at the Unified World Championships, in Italy,

Doors open at 5pm and the first fight will take place at 6pm.