Snooker legend Mark Williams admits he hates watching his son fight after the 19-year-old suffered a suspected broken foot in a brutal Muay Thai bout

Welsh snooker legend Mark Williams has admitted he finds it "horrible" watching his teenage son compete in Muay Thai after the youngster was left unable to walk following his latest fight.

The three-time world snooker champion has spoken of his pride and concern for 19-year-old son Kian, who recently claimed a silver medal at the WBC European amateur championships in Sardinia.

Kian, who trains at Celtic Pride Martial Arts in Abertillery, reached the final of the competition before suffering a narrow points defeat. However, he also sustained a painful foot injury which has left him struggling to walk, with fears he may have suffered a fracture.

Speaking at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, Williams revealed his son had been to hospital but swelling meant doctors were unable to establish whether he had broken his foot.

And while the Welsh sporting icon is immensely proud of his son's achievements, he confessed that watching him take punishment in the ring is an ordeal he struggles to endure.

"I was in Thailand with him for the WBC Amateurs in July and he has just been at the European event in Sardinia," Williams explained.

"I would have been there if I hadn't had a tournament this week. He lost in the final on points. I haven't seen the fight yet - he said it could have gone either way but he got the silver medal.

"He thinks he has broken one of his feet, he went to hospital but it was too swollen to tell.

"When I go home it will probably be my only chance to beat him up because he can't walk!"

Williams made no secret of just how difficult he finds watching his son compete in a sport where punches, kicks, knees and elbows are all part of the action.

The 51-year-old, who himself boxed as a youngster before pursuing a career in snooker, admitted he cannot understand how his son willingly puts himself through such punishment.

"They have got some guts, to get into that ring," he said. "They love it, they train twice a day leading up to a tournament.

"I hate watching it. They are getting elbowed in the face, kicked in the face, elbowed in the top of the head… it's horrible.

"There are six or seven fights going at the same time – there's someone covered in blood over there and someone getting stitches coming off over there.

"To watch your own boy fighting is tough. I think he's nuts but good luck to him."

Kian has been making impressive progress in the amateur Muay Thai ranks, having previously secured bronze at the WBC World Championships in Thailand before adding European silver to his collection.

While his latest tournament ended in disappointment and injury, the teenager has already set his sights on going one better next time.

Taking to Instagram following the final, he wrote: "Came up short in the final, was a very close fight but decision didn't go my way.

"Bronze in WBC worlds. And now silver in WBC European. No matter the outcome learned loads from this one and gold will be next time."

He also thanked his coaches and supporters, including Celtic Pride Martial Arts and boxing great Joe Calzaghe, for helping him on his journey.