Traveller lad, 11, takes on rival fighter in his first competitive boxing match on Gypsy Kids: Our Secret World
THE competitive world of the Traveller community is laid bare in the latest episode of Gypsy Kids, when an 11-year-old wannabe boxer takes part in his first competitive fight.
Gypsy Kids: Our Secret World is the show which aims to explore the real lives of Traveller children - following their experiences like they've never been seen before.
Episode two of the Channel 5 show, which airs on Thursday, follows 11-year-old Albert as he gears up for his first competitive boxing match.
The keen fighter is eager to impress his dad and do his community proud, coming up against another child in the ring for the very first time.
The fight sees Albert pitted against a non-Traveller who is a year older - and who has the home advantage in the brawl.
And after three weeks on the road, English Traveller Albert is a little out of shape, with not long to go until the big event.
Albert's trainer, John, says: "Fighting is in Travellers' culture. Albert's family were champions, professional and amateur.
"It's in him. He's going to be a champion."
When it comes to the fight, Albert is cheered on by his family, including his younger brother Michael.
With his family's name on the line, the young lad says: "I am feeling a bit nervous because it's my first fight.
"When you're in the middle of the fight I can't describe the feeling - it's just adrenaline shooting through your body.
"All you can think about really is what you're going to throw next."
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Fighting in the blue corner, Traveller Albert is boxing for more than just his own honour - it's his community he's representing in the brawl.
With headgear and mouth-guards for protection, the boys go for each other's heads, and Albert even manages to floor his opponent with a particularly hard right hook.
But the two boys end up scrapping all the way to the end, with six years of training leading up to the moment the winner is announced.
The judges end up unanimously awarding Albert the win, boosting his family's fighting reputation.
Albert says: "As soon as the fight was finished my dad came straight over to me and gave me the biggest hug he's ever given me and told me how proud he was of me.
"There's no better feeling than that."
Episode two of Gypsy Kids: Our Secret World airs on Thursday 7 September at 9pm on Channel 5.
Previously, The Sun Online offered an exclusive glimpse into the lives of real Gypsy Kids twins, described as "men in boys' bodies."
And in the first episode of Gypsy Kids: Our Secret World, a nine-year-old girl reveals what it's like to be an Irish Traveller faced with eviction.