Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Chris Agius praised Keith 'the speed' Azzopardi for winning the semi-professional World Kickboxing Network Championship title.

He beat Italian athlete Alessandro Fillini with a knockout in under a minute.

"Keith 'the Speed' Azzopardi is a versatile athlete and competes in kickboxing as well as boxing. This is a prestigious result, especially for the athlete himself, who won his first world title, as well as Team Noel, the club which Mr Azzopardi forms part of," the Parliamentary Secretary said.