A YOUNG Wirral boxer is jetting off to Kentucky to strengthen links between the Liverpool City Region.

Thomas Musker of Venture Boxing Club, will join five other boxers from Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton, Knowsley and Halton who will represent the region in Louisville as part of the next stage of a sporting and musical exchange.

The boxers, aged between 15 and 17 will train at the TKO gym and visit the Muhammad Ali Centre which aims to preserve and share the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali to promote respect, hope and understanding.

This link is exemplified by the iconic photography of The Beatles meeting Muhammad Ali on February 18, 1964.

Metro mayor Steve Rotheram said: "In The Beatles and Muhammad Ali, Liverpool City Region and Louisville produced two of the biggest cultural icons of the 20th century.

“More than half a century on from the famous photo that brought these icons together, we are determined to build on those links to create a strong cultural and sporting partnership that will bring our two regions together, paving the way for future cultural and commercial collaborations.”

The young boxers with metro mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool-born heavyweight boxer David Price

In the first part of the exchange, Carly Johnson an upcoming singer/songwriter from Louisville travelled to the Liverpool to play gigs at the legendary Cavern Club and Sound City festival.

Louisville Metro Region Greg Fischer mayor said: “This exchange builds on the Transatlantic connection that Louisville and Liverpool established through the meeting of world-changing artists and a barrier-breaking athlete.

“The Champ and the Fab Four were committed to making the world a better, more compassionate place — a common bond that’s always worth celebrating.”

The young boxers have been brought together by the Amateur Boxing Association, which will also provide two coaches to lead the Liverpool City Region team.

Paul King, of the Merseyside and Cheshire Amateur Boxing Association told the Globe: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these talented young boxers as they represent the Liverpool City Region.

"They are really excited at the prospect of training in Ali’s home town and visiting the Muhammad Ali Centre, as well as going into local schools to meet young people from Louisville.

"In addition to the benefits to the individual young people, this sort of exchange will also help to build bonds between our two areas.”

The Liverpool City Region team members are:

• Thomas Musker of Venture Boxing Club, from Wirral

• Reece Sloan of Salisbury ABC, from Liverpool

• Kevin Connell of Everton Red Triangle Boxing Club, from Sefton

• Rebecca Unsworth of Wildcard ABC, from St Helens

• Jennifer Beech of Towerhill ABC, from Knowsley

• Michael McCartney of Kingsway Boxing Club, from Halton