Diabetic schoolboy presented with tickets for Muhammad 'The Diabetic Kid' Ali's next fight

Diabetic boxer Muhammad Ali has given tickets to his upcoming fight to a local schoolboy who also has the same medical condition.

Known as ‘The Diabetic Kid’, Ali presented Ethan Rothwell, eight, with the tickets – as a special Christmas present – at Smithy Bridge Primary School on Monday morning (9 December).

Ali made history in September 2018, becoming the first UK boxer with type one diabetes to fight, following a three-year battle against the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/122190/boxing-historic-victory-debut-for-uks-first-diabetic-boxer

Type one diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of sugar in your blood. It requires regular administration of insulin either by injection or by insulin pump.

The boxer also gave an inspiring talk during the Monday morning assembly, where he spoke about how he has never let his condition hold him back.

Ali himself was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was around the age of five. He began boxing after encouragement from his mum, and began administering his own insulin when he was around 16.

Ethan was diagnosed with the condition when he was six, trusting only a select few family members and, later, teachers, to carry out the fingerprick test to measure his glucose levels.

Earlier this year, Ethan measured his own blood glucose by himself for the very first time.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127042/diabetic-schoolboy-presented-with-certificate-of-achievement-after-independently-measuring-blood-sugar-levels-for-first-time

After reading on Rochdale Online about how Ali fought to gain a professional licence by the British Boxing Board of Control – which he won in July 2018 – Ethan’s mum, Louise Rothwell, was inspired to make contact with the boxer, citing him as a positive role model for type one diabetic children like Ethan.

She said: “Ali is an amazing young man. He is so genuine and down to earth, a wonderful role model for any child, not just type one children.

“He is a true example of showing if you work hard enough, you can achieve anything despite any hurdles thrown in the way.

“I messaged him after reading about him on Rochdale Online to tell him what a great role model he is, and wishing him good luck in the future.”

Louise continued: “It was inspirational to hear his story from being diagnosed at such a young age to where he is now. The way he described what his family went through when he was diagnosed, I can relate to.

“Ali and his family are all role models to other type one families, and it was such a lovely gesture from him to give Ethan these tickets.”

Ali added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to meet Ethan, another strong diabetic who shows we are in control of the condition, not the other way round. He reminds me of myself when I was that age!

“Ethan is a great role model for other youngsters with conditions like type one diabetes, as it doesn’t stop him from doing anything.

“We will fight back and win the battle, and others should look up to Ethan. He has personally given me motivation because he is a bright young lad who hasn’t shown any weakness.

“He’s very inspiring for myself, and his parents do a fantastic job with him.”

Ethan, who has wanted to take up boxing for some time, will be joining Littleborough ABC in the coming weeks, which Louise hopes will set him up with the skills to overcome various obstacles in life.

He said he was “excited” to watch Ali fight later this month.

Ali’s next fight is against an as yet unannounced opponent at the University of Bolton Stadium on 20 December.