SKINNY schoolboy John Wyatt didn't need sand kicked in his face to undergo a Charles Atlas type transformation.

From pumping iron at the tender age of 12 to suffering brutal nights of pain in the ring - Wyatt has always been "ready to rumble" simply because he enjoys it!

He said: "They used to take the mickey out of me at school because I was so skinny. One day I decided to take up weights and I've progressed from there.

"I've never felt the need to prove myself. I'm still an easy-going guy.

"But I must admit once I get into the ring all I can think about is killing my opponent!"

Kidderminster's own raging bull is now one of the top five thai-boxers in the country but his pugilistic passage to the top has been far from smooth.

He was tricked into the ring for his first bout after being "mis-informed" his opponent was equally inexperienced.

Just before the fight his trainer revealed he was about to square up to a British title challenger known as "the beast".

However, in true Wyatt style he won the contest.

His gruelling training schedule of working out, bag work and running six hours a day has not relented since that fight eight years ago.

Several broken bones, short-term kidney damage and days of crippling pain from blows to the leg later, Wyatt probably had his greatest night when he won the European super-heavyweight title in front of home town fans three years ago.

His epic victory over Dutch martial-arts master Peter Kramer at the town's Knight's nightclub moved many of the crowd to tears as a battered and bruised Wyatt emerged victorious.

Since then Wyatt, 31, has hit the big time fighting for big money in Japan and taking part in a gruelling knock out tournament for the country's top-eight fighters in April.

When at home, the brickie looks after his fleet of doormen running town pubs and clubs under the guise of JW Security.

And he dotes on his very own champ and "toughest" opponent, daughter Daniella, seven.

However, having had a taste of big bucks and mass media coverage on his Japanese trip Wyatt is gunning for more foreign fights before he hangs up his gloves in three years time.

He said: "I want to fight some big guns before I retire - there's also plenty of money out there too!

"After that I'll go hunting for all those kids who used to call me skinny ..... only kidding!"