YOU will have to go a long, long way to find a prouder man than Michael Hunter today, writes Nick Loughlin.

Look right across the Continent and the British Commonwealth because the Hartlepool boxer is now the British, European and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion.

He took the honours after the most enthralling of 12-round bouts against Esham Pickering at the town's Borough Hall last night - landing a 112-115, 113-114, 113-113 points triumph.

Despite Hunter taking a count of eight less than two minutes into the fight he started the second strongly.

However, it counted for little as Pickering floored Hunter again with a strong left. Stunned, Hunter was forced to take a second count of eight.

Hunter was looking to his corner for inspiration and he soon pinned Pickering on the ropes as the bell ended a thrilling second round.

Hunter loves nothing more than a 100-mile-an-hour tear-up and, backed by a vociferous home crowd, that is exactly what he got. He dominated the third round, connecting 12 times to Pickering's four.

His pressure was relentless and midway through the fourth, he hurt Pickering for the first time, comfortably taking the round as he attempted to ensure the two early counts stood for nothing.

A bright combination by Hunter at the start of the fifth kept him in the ascendency. Jim Watt, commentating for Sky Sports, had Hunter ahead by a one round at this stage.

But Pickering is a durable customer and he edged the sixth.

Hunter cut his opponent's nose in the seventh, and knew he was on top - his reaction on the bell said it all.

The pace was relentless and Hunter kept the momentum up right until the bell to end the 12th and final round, ensuring it was a dream night for the 27-year-old.