A CHARITY ambassador is hoping to become the world’s first pro boxer with cystic fibrosis.

Doctors believed Chris McKay, from Culcheth, would not live to see school after he was born with the condition

But now, aged 33, he continues to defy the odds.

And Chris is hoping to follow in his brother Mike’s footsteps by becoming a professional boxer.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust ambassador would be the first person in the world with cystic fibrosis to step into the ring as a pro.

He said: “I was in a bad place and Mike said I should take up boxing and see how I do.

“Since then, it’s helped me a lot.

“I do struggle, but everyone in life struggles with their own demons and you just have to keep going.

“My coach thinks I’m crazy, but because I’m only going to be here for so long I want this year to be a big year.”

Mike is set to compete in his first professional bout at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday, March 10.

And Chris, who also has osteoporosis and diabetes, has now been in training for four months with the aim of eventually turning professional.

He added: “The doctors have said it would be impossible for me to take up boxing.

“From birth, they said I wouldn’t live past being a baby.

“Then they said I wouldn’t live until I was eight, then 10, then 16.

“At one stage, I was skinny that they said I had nine months left to live.

“In February last year, I actually died after having a seizure and choking on my own blood but they managed to resuscitate me.

“I’m still here - god knows how.”

Chris, who now lives in Buckley, is also hoping to meet as many celebrities as he can in order to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis.

So far he has been pictured with Jonny Wilkinson and the England rugby union team, former Liverpool FC striker Robbie Fowler and singer Lemar.

He is also hoping to meet Ed Sheeran, actor Tom Hardy and fellow boxer Anthony Joshua.

The big Warrington Wolves fan said: “At the moment the awareness of cystic fibrosis is shocking, so my aim is to meet celebrities in order to raise awareness.

“With cystic fibrosis, I’m in pain 24/7, I have to get up at 5am to take my medication and I take about 100 tablets a day.

“When I’m ill, I’ll be in hospital from two weeks up to two months.

“I was in over Christmas and New Year basically trying to stay alive.

“I’ve lost a lot of friends to cystic fibrosis - to watch them slowly deteriorate through the years and then pass away is tough.

“I’m not going to be here forever but I want to create a legacy that will carry on when I’m gone.”