MICHAEL HUNTER made it a night to remember for North-East boxing fans with a spirited fightback to claim the European and Commonwealth crowns in his hometown of Hartlepool, writes NICK LOUGHLIN.

Hunter, who remains unbeaten in his five-year professional career, was knocked down in rounds one and two by Esham Pickering, but came back to land a points decision at Borough Hall in front of a delirious crowd.

Earlier in the night, Michael Hall suffered a dispiriting loss and could be ready to call it a day after Lenny Daws got the better of him.

The Darlington fireman, trained at the Hartlepool gym of Neil Fannan, pushed Daws for seven gruelling rounds last night, before a hand injury forced him out of the fight.

Watching ringside was Nigel Wright, the British title holder from Spennymoor and he will now defend his title against Londonder Daws.

Daws was cut early in the second round, Hall drawing blood above his left eye. But, despite the referee calling a break in the third, Hall couldn't make the most of it.

In the sixth and seventh, Daws started to show his strength and referee Ian John Lewis had Daws one point in front before the bout was called off.

Argie Ward took a comfortable 60-53 victory over Abdul Mougharbel, who took a count of eight in the first round. And Francis Jones, the former Hartlepool United trainee, enjoyed a four-round win over Ernie Smith.