High-energy hitman Michael Hunter became the new British super bantamweight champion with a whirlwind display at Hartlepool Borough Hall.
Hunter stopped Coventry's Mark Payne in seven thrilling to-and-fro rounds that are already being put forward as an early fight of the year contender. The 25-year-old hometown favourite was matched punch for punch by an inspired opponent he had outpointed two years ago.
But his superior fitness and will to win in front of a partisan home crowd carried Hunter through, forcing referee Mickey Vann to call a halt after 2min 8sec of the seventh round with Payne under heavy fire.
"It was a classic British title fight and an amazing performance," said Hunter's trainer Neil Fannan.
"I think Payne came to get Michael Hunter out of there - I don't think he came for a 12-rounder. He would have had to be Superman because he set off at a pace he wouldn't have been able to sustain. Hunter nearly stopped him in the fourth but the bell saved him.
"Payne then made a stand in the fifth and had a little bit of success with landing a couple of good body shots. Hunter took over again and after landing a good right hand and left hook, connected with about ten unanswered punches on the ropes and the referee jumped in."
Next for unbeaten Hunter could be a quick defence of the title in Hartlepool, with June 10 a possible date.
Darlington duo Argie Ward and Francis Jones earned six-round points wins on the undercard, which also saw Steve Conway stop Norman Dhalie in the third.
Bantamweight Ward beat 223-fight veteran Peter Buckley by a 59-55 scoreline.
And Jones won every round against Birmingham's Brian Coleman to triumph by 60-54.
Oscar Hall pulled out of the show after answering a late SOS to fight British and Commonwealth light-welterweight king Junior Witter in Bradford.
Hall stepped in to replace Gavin Down at the last minute and was stopped in the third round of their non-title match.
