DEFEATED but determined is how Darlington's Neil Hepper was feeling last night after Fishburn's Gary Fox got his hands on the first pro title of his career.

A stinging right from Fox did the damage and, despite a frustrated Hepper's best attempts to carry on, referee Mark Curry stepped in 70 seconds before the bell.

It meant Fox was able to celebrate in front of a strong contingent of his own fans wearing the Northern Area lightweight belt at the Hartlepool Borough Hall.

Hepper's disappointment was clear. The 24-year-old had looked strong in the opening four pulsating rounds. The fight was shaping up for the same sort of explosive action as the show put on by the pair in March.

That day Fox edged it by a point but this time there was the added spice of a local title at stake.

Even though Hepper looked marginally ahead going into the fifth, it was Fox's explosive power that forced the stoppage and a second defeat in five on his opponent.

Fox, with just one defeat from ten contests and smarting on a cut near his right eye, said: "It's been brewing up for a while, building up on Facebook and that. It was a really good fight. I set out my game plan to begin with. He is a good boxer so I let him get his own way early on.

"I started to see him breathe heavily going into the fifth round. I had plenty left in the tank, but I thought I would go early.

"I was looking for a big shot early on. He was picking me off a little bit. The plan in the gym was for me to be moving forward. I can't complain, it's my first stoppage."

Hepper could not hide his frustration in his dressing room afterwards. The Paul Hamilton-trained lightweight was rocked by Fox's right hand and fell to the floor.

After an eight-count he stood up, wobbled and was keen to carry on. But Curry quickly stepped in when Fox attacked him on the ropes, which Hepper thinks was too soon.

"He put me down, I got straight back up. I was a bit shaken but I was fine to continue," said Hepper, with blood on his lip. "Then he came back at me. I don't think he landed any punches, I didn't return, and the ref stopped it. I'm just so gutted. I'm heartbroken. I won every round until then."

Hepper is focused on the future, even if that means a third contest with Fox.

"I was winning, it was going to plan and I would have been northern area champion. I'm the better man," he said.

"I'm not sure what happens now. I will speak to Paul and (manager) Mick Marsden. If it has to be Fox III we will see. He is northern area champion now so he might move on. I believe I will go further in the long run."