After being inside the professional ring on just eight occasions a young Darlington boxer is preparing for a title fight in his hometown.

Welterweight Francis Jones burst on to the scene 18 months and some impressive performances since have pushed him into the national spotlight, his last fight coming on the Ricky Hatton undercard.

The unbeaten 22-year-old has recorded six wins, two of which came at Darlington's Dolphin Leisure Centre and he'll return at the beginning of March to compete for the Northern Area title against Danny Moyer of Sunderland.

Jones' fight versus Matthew Hatton, Ricky's bother, held at the Manchester Evening News Arena was scored a draw, the second of Jones' career and he vehemently argues that he should have been awarded both fights.

The other draw was against Moyer and Jones will get the opportunity to avenge that defeat in March, as well as clinch his first title.

"It's another step up the ladder to get where I want to be," said Jones, an ambitious fighter.

"I'm not here to mess about, I want to win titles and get noticed."

"Danny is a durable opponent, he can wear you down. But I know I'm the same, although I know I'm skilful and quick, if you take my skills away I've still got the heart of a lion too so it should be a great fight.

"At the moment I'm working on my stamina. I've to build that up because this will be my first fight over ten rounds but I'm confident."

Also on the bill, just as they were at the Dolphin's last boxing show in October, are Darlington's Argie Ward and Oscar Hall.

Ward's prospects are also looking good after the best win of his career so far.

When Ward met James Yelland last month the Darlington fighter was up against the man ranked fourth in the country so was understandably second favourite, especially as Ward had little time to prepare for what was the hardest test of his eight-fight career.

But Ward, who is again sure to be backed by a packed house when he fights at the Dolphin Centre in March, proved himself and he's now in line for a British title.

He said: "It was a step-up for me. A lot of people said it would be too much, especially as I only had a week's notice before the fight.

"But I beat him and there's no stopping me now.

"It was the best I've ever fought and it was the best I've ever felt.

"Micky Booth has vacated his British belt so that he can fight for a World title so I'm going for that British belt and something could happen by the end of the year."

The only blemish on Ward's record is a draw against Rocky Dean last summer, but he avenged that by beating the Londoner in a rematch last October and he'll be hoping for more of the same in March.

Jones and Ward both train under Neil Fannon in Hartlepool, as does Hall, a fellow Darlington boxer. He suffered the first defeat of his career in October so will have a point to prove in front of his home fans.

The evening takes place on March 5, ticket details will be available from the boxers and the Dolphin Centre.