VALIANT title challenger Francis Jones last night insisted he would be back for a crack at boxing glory.

The 26-year-old had "prayed" about bringing the first British professional boxing title back to Darlington - only to be stopped by Scotland's Kevin Anderson in the final round of their welterweight showdown.

Jones went down fighting to the reigning champion and earned many plaudits for his gutsy effort at the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy.

With talk of Anderson moving on towards European honours, the Darlington fighter, nicknamed Fearless, said he was ready to challenge again.

"If an opportunity comes up, I'll be there to take it," said Jones.

"I went for it 100 per cent in Friday night, I'd prayed that I was going to bring that Lonsdale Belt home with me and I really believed it.

"Unfortunately, Kevin was a top man. He could hit hard, had stamina and had a big heart - he's a good champion.

"But I aim to get there myself and become a champion.

"I'm going to have a few days off now but then I'll be back in the gym."

Jones proved he was worthy of his place in a British title match, taking a very good champion right to the limit.

While Anderson was on top from the start, Jones gave the 24-year-old a few uncomfortable moments, notably in the 10th when he rocked the champ with a series of long rights.

"I had to go into the trenches," he said. "I caught him a few times, but I just couldn't get that final blow to stop him."

Jones admitted to having learned one vital lesson over the last two months - to keep himself fighting fit.

After his sensational fifth-round stoppage victory over former British champion Neil Sinclair in Dublin in June, the Paul Hamilton-trained boxer admitted he'd let his weight balloon up.

"I won't be letting myself go," he said. "After I beat Sinclair I got as fat as anything in no time.

"I thought I'd done a good job and I just started eating and didn't stop.

"Then six weeks ago, I got a call to ask 'do you want to fight for the British title?'.

"I had to go on a crash diet and I don't want to have to go through that again.

"I'm going to keep myself right."