NEW world champion Michael Hunter insists nothing will stop him in his quest for further glory.

The Hartlepool boxer claimed the vacant WBF super-bantamweight championship on Friday night with a scintillating performance against Sweden's Frankie De Milo.

Hunter is as convinced as ever that he can stake his claim for other titles and he is setting his sights on a money-spinning bout in front of the Sky cameras.

"I'm the man," said the 24-year-old, who is now undefeated in 13 professional contests. "I've known all along that I was capable of doing something like this and now I've proved it.

"It's nice to prove to everyone exactly what I can do. I've just become this town's first boxing world champion and it is unbelievable.

"I've now got to sit down with my manager (Dave Garside) and talk about where I go."

Hartlepool United fan Hunter was paraded in front of a packed Victoria Park crowd on Saturday before the Third Division clash with Wrexham. And the double former ABA champion admitted that he wanted to stay on the pitch for the full game.

It was the emphatic way Hunter recorded victory at the Jesters Centre which fuelled his desire to maintain the high levels he is now setting himself.

De Milo, ranked fourth and tipped for success at this level, had won 14 of 16 fights but he was never given time to get into his rhythm.

The hard-hitting Hunter had his opponent down in both the first and the seventh rounds, as he looked like gaining at least a stoppage, or perhaps a knock-out.

But the Rwanda-born Scandinavian's high fitness and endurance levels ensured the local boxer was forced to go the the full 12 rounds.

But the result was never in any doubt and the judges unanimously decided it was going to be Hunter's night.

More than 1,000 ecstatic fans greeted scorers John Coyle, John Keane and Paul Thomas's verdicts, which were 119-110, 118-110 and 118-111 respectively.

And, while knowing he has now got the world at his fists, Hunter admits that he can still learn and improve.

"When I lifted the ABA crown I always knew I had the potential to go far," said Hunter. "I know people are right when they say I leave my guard down a little too much.

"But that will get better, I'm still young and I know I will just get better the more I fight.

"All fighters have things they need to improve on and I know where I can, but I'm as strong as an ox and I know I'm more than a match for most boxers."

De Milo, who boxes out of Bristol, took defeat like a true gentleman and he revealed he would like to have a rematch.

"Michael is a great fighter and he was the best man on the night," said the Ian Pauly-coached De Milo. "He deserved to win.

"I would like to have a rematch but he is in control now, it's up to him. I have got to take my hat off to him because he fought well and was always on top. He will be a worthy champion. I will now go back to the drawing board."

Hunter's manager, Dave Garside, believes his star destroyer is now ready for the big stage. And he insists that he will soon be giving Ringside a phone call to ensure his young talent is on Sky Sports strutting his stuff.

"Any television station that is not interested in Michael is missing out on a class fighter," said Garside. "We are hoping to get Michael a fight in February and we will be on the phone to see if Sky are interested, they should be.

"Michael is a great boxer and he can do whatever he wants to do."

Meanwhile, Hunter's coach Neil Fannan revealed his delight at the progress made by his man.

Fannan said: "When he first signed as a professional two years ago Michael was just a fragile boy, now he is a man who can keep on improving.

"The best thing about it is that if the fight with De Milo had been in Sweden, with Frankie urged on by his fans, then it would not have bothered Michael.

"He would have been able to handle it, I'm sure."