Boxing champ to have one more fight for Inverness toddler
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A FORMER Thai boxing champion is set to come out of retirement in aid of an "incredible" Inverness toddler.
Leo Flett (3), from Balloch, suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and his parents Mitchell and Louise have organised a number of events to raise funds for research into the disease.
Now family friend Mescho Dunko, a two-time Scottish Muay Thai champion from Glasgow, has come out of retirement for his first bout in five years – with all the money he raises going towards brave Leo’s cause.
Mr Dunko is set to take on Aldo McDonald in Linwood on August 4.
"I have become good friends with Leo’s dad Mitchell over the years with us both being involved on the Muay Thai circuit," he said.
"Mitch and another friend, Colin Anderson, helped me out by agreeing to do demo fights just as a show was starting to fall apart.
"Being a parent myself, I know it’s so hard to go through your child being inand out of hospital, so I offered a little help.
"I went to Thailand a couple of years ago and since then it’s been in the back of my mind that I’d like to have one final fight.
"When I saw that Mitch and Louise had started a charity it all clicked into place.
"My 10-year-old daughter is coming to cheer me on.
"She has never seen me fight live so the pressure is on, but that will spur me on even more on the night."
Through his fight purse and ticket commission, Mr Dunko is hoping to raise around £1000.
Mrs Flett spoke of her gratitude but admitted she was taken aback when Mr Dunko announced that he would be making a return to the ring.
"We are really grateful to Mescho for doing this," she said.
"He’s a good friend of Mitchell’s because they used to do Thai boxing together.
"We were really surprised when he told us he was coming out of retirement because it’s been five years since he last fought!
"He is taking on a bigger weight category for the fight so he has had to train quite hard for it.
"There are about eight of us going down to watch and support Mescho. We can’t wait.
"It’s not often that Mitchell gets to just go and enjoy a show without having anyone involved in it.
"The support we have had since starting our campaign has been heart-warming.
"There are so many people who want to do something for us."
Mescho Dunko will fight Aldo McDonald at the On-X Arena in Linwood on August 4. Ringside tickets are £30 and standard tickets are £25. Anyone interested in attending should contact Mitchell and Louise Flett via the Leo's Pride Facebook page.
