Biology graduate Duncan McLean is being sponsored in his aim to become a champion Muay Thai boxer by stone machinery, tools and consumables company National Masonry (click here to read about the sponsorship).

Duncan is moving up the rankings and following his most recent bout is now fourth in the UK Muay Thai Federation Cruiser Weight Class (which is 86kg, as it used to be in conventional boxing).

25-year-old Duncan, born and bred in Durham, trains at Unity Gym in Bishop Auckland, where Andy Bell, the proprietor of National Masonry, also trains. Andy says: “You only have to watch the lad to see that he has skill and determination and I have no doubt he can be the best in his field.”

Duncan trains with gym owner and experienced martial artist Nick Hands, and the National Masonry sponsorship has allowed him to increase the amount of time Nick can spend with him. "Andy has picked out an up-and-coming guy with a lot of talent," says Nick.

He hopes eventually to match Duncan in a catchweight contest with Colin 'Freakshow' Fletcher for a British Association of Mixed Marshall Arts world title.

Duncan has already done enough to move up into Class A (for professionals) but will have to get some more fights under his belt before being able to come up against Freakshow Fletcher. Duncan's next bout is on 13 April.