THE fighting Lyon family have another champion in their ranks after serviceman Ricki collected a prestigious national amateur boxing title.

The 24-year-old from Haydock won an English Southern Area Bantamweight title in his fight at RAF Brize Norton after defeating Brighton’s Kealan McFadden on points.

The former St Augustine’s pupil adds this to a raft of accolades he has already collected in his Royal Air Force career to date.

A firefighter with the RAF for five years, Lyon has beaten high level domestic and international opponents as well as representing his country in Spain and Bermuda.

The previous highlight of his sporting achievements to date came in 2015 when he won a U.K. Armed Forces title.

Nephew of famous St Helens amateur boxer John Lyon MBE, Ricki started his amateur career with Lowe House and Wigan amateur boxing clubs and since joining the forces has quickly becomes one of the RAF’s rising stars.

Lyon said: “Unlike the other Services, the RAF don’t have a full time boxing team, so training three times a day around shift work can be difficult but the rewards are there when you put the effort in.

“I’d like to thank the RAF for helping me to continue fulfilling my potential, and obviously my old amateur coaches at Lowe House and Wigan for all that they did to start me off on my journey.”

Lyon has only this season returned from a year out of the sport following a hand injury but will be hoping that the title win can be a catalyst for a champion season.

Ricki’s uncle John was an eight-time ABA winner, Commonwealth gold medalist and double Olympian.

And those achievements saw him recently inaugurated into the Boxing Hall of Fame alongside Carl Froch and Frank Bruno.

Ricki’s cousin - John’s son - Craig was also a two-time ABA winner.