OPPONENTS are running scared of a 15-year-old Bream boxer, dubbed a 'mini iron Mike Tyson' by his own father.

Boxing sensation Romeo Romaeo (pictured) will be fighting in the Welsh Championships in April and the British Championships in June.

However, dad Tony, who trains and schools Romeo in his own unique way, says no one wants to climb in the ring with his hugely talented son.

Tony told The Forester: "Romeo is already more of a pro fighter than an amateur, he's a mini Mike Tyson who gets on top of people.

"Other boxers keep mailing him to ask which weight he will be fighting at in the championships. They want to avoid him.

"No one wants to meet him because he will spoil these other little boys' futures."

Romeo has never tasted chips, McDonald's, ice cream or coke. He's never even had a spoonful of sugar, let alone a birthday cake. According to Tony, these are the sacrifices that have to be made if you want to become a boxing champion of the world.

Romeo trains from 5-7am, 11am-1pm and 5-9pm every day, seven days per week. Tony said: "If you offered him a piece of chocolate he'd laugh in your face. His club coach gives me earache that he's too muscular but he only does weight training in the summer."

Romeo now represents the Welsh Khyber Colts club, but in reality it's his father who makes all the decisions.

Romeo previously boxed out of the Cinderford-based Forest Oaks club – until falling out with coach Les Brooking on an England camp in Sheffield. Tony was concerned that his son's dietary needs were not being met. Tony said: "I coach Romeo. We were told we had to represent Wales in the forthcoming championships, which peeved me a bit, but I went along with it rather than cause trouble.

"It's the most important time for Romeo, because people are watching.

"We don't want the amateur game and are not interested in the Olympics. We want to turn professional as soon as possible at 18."

Romeo – full name Romeo, Casanova, Valentino Romaeo – is named after the great lovers, but it's also the stage name that father Tony used when he was a male stripper. Romeo's siblings, Venus, Angel, Isis, Achilles and Caesar, still live in Cardiff with their mother Elaine. Venus is a British gymnastics champion who looks destined to compete at the 2012 Olympics. Angel is another rising star of the gymnastics world.

Tony said: "I've got three children doing really well in their respective sports so I must be doing something right."