NEWLY-CROWNED British champion Michael Hunter's future is already mapped out.

Hartlepool-born Hunter became Britain's finest super bantamweight when he stopped Coventry's Michael Payne in the seventh round of a thrilling bout in front of his home-town fans at the Borough Hall.

And Hunter's first defence is already pencilled in for June 10 at the same venue, with promoters Ringside already booking the venue.

After becoming the town's first British champion since George Feeney, now part of Team Hunter, was crowned lightweight champion 19 years ago, manager Dave Garside said: "Michael will defend his title and then go for a European title and then a shot at the World - he is good enough.

"He showed his class in this fight - it was like a top Premiership team against a Second Division club.

"There was a real gulf in class and ability. It was only a matter of time before he won it.''

Hunter said last week he wanted a "tear-up" and that is exactly what the Ableclean-sponsored fighter got.

He took the fight to Payne in the opening rounds and Hunter had his opponent pinned against he ropes while launching a flurry of quick blows in the fourth, but was unable to finish him off.

Then Payne came back with a series of stinging body shots which took the wind out of Hunter's sails, as he appeared to win the fifth and sixth rounds.

Hunter was visibly shaken in the sixth when there was no let up in the body blows, but two minutes and eight seconds in the seventh, referee Micky Vann called a halt to the event after Hunter sprung back to life and pummelled Payne against the ropes.

The champion said: "I'm not going to hide from the fact, but he hurt me with body shots.

"But I was always confident and wasn't going to give it up. I knew I was going to stop him in the seventh, I just knew it.

"I had to take a breather in the sixth and that allowed him to come back into it, but once I got my wind back that was it.

"It was a great test of stamina. He was a worthy opponent, one of the hardest, but he didn't hurt me. I was just playing with him at times.''

Hunter added: "I want the belt for keeps - I want to defend it three times and then it is mine for good.

"The crowd were brilliant for me, I could hear them all the time. Having a crowd like that behind me always helps and it means a lot to win it in front of them all. I am a very proud man.''

Hunter was at Victoria Park yesterday to watch Hartlepool follow Hunter's lead and defeat Notts County and, with a play-off and possible promotion on the cards for the town's footballers, Hunter admitted: "I've won the belt so now I want Pools to get in the play-offs - let's get the double up."

To cap off a memorable night for Garside and coach Neil Fannan, Argie Ward and Francis Jones both kept up their unbeaten records, Ward outpointing Peter Buckley 59-55 while Jones was always in command against Brian Coleman of Birmingham and triumphed 60-54.