REDCAR boxer Bobby Dalton is celebrating winning the northern area welterweight title following his points defeat of Sedgefield’s Jeff Saunders last month.

Dalton lifted the belt after a 10-round victory on a Rainton Meadows show organised by promoter Matt Jobes.

He said: "I’m over the moon to have won this belt.

"It was a tough 10 rounds but the highlight of my career so far. I put on unrelenting pressure and was pleased to have won six of the rounds.

"Camp had been great although exhausting with my dad, who’s also my coach, pushing me all the time.

"I’m starting to reap the rewards of all the hard work we’ve been putting in day in day out."

His dad and coach, Bob Snr said: "Two very good fighters and Bobby can be proud of his win which has hopefully placed him as a serious contender on the national stage."

A former student of Rye Hills Academy, Dalton, 25, is a civil engineering apprentice with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

He said: "I’ve just finished my civil engineering level 3 NVQ and start my degree this year as I’ve always intended. It’s important to have something outside of boxing and not put all my eggs in one basket. Boxing can be a tough unforgiving sport.

"My amateur record was 33 wins in 50 fights, and I twice was North East champion, and I was proud to have won the Tyne, Tees and Wear elite amateur boxing belt.

"As a professional over the last nearly three years now I’m undefeated in my nine matches including one stoppage.

"In a fight camp I’m up very early and train before work. I like to include a swim and a long run and two strength conditioning sessions per week before work then sparring, pad and bag work in the evening."

Dalton hopes to box for the national title in the not too distant future.

He said: "In Jeff Saunders I’ve just defeated a boxer who’d won 17 bouts with no losses. If that doesn’t warrant an English title shot, I’m not sure what does. However, I’m more than happy to defend the belt soon and keep momentum going. My favourite boxer is Gennady Govolkin because he’s an absolute killer inside the ring with a seek and destroy fight strategy but a very humble man outside. I also want to continue to make my family proud, especially my mam Paula who’s consistently been my biggest supporter. I’m so grateful for her constant encouragement over so many years.’

"I’d also like to thank Redcar people who regularly buy tickets to see me box and I’m especially grateful to my loyal sponsors who help with all the ancillary costs such as medicals, training and getting the correct nutrition. Many thanks to Tyres Direct Skelton, The Yorkshire Lass, Dave Griffiths Building, Grahams Housing Redcar, Telcoss Ltd, Vasey Roofing, A B C Active Body Conditioning and Yum Yum Middlesbrough."

Other potential sponsors keen to support Dalton rise through the rankings can contact him via Facebook Messenger or at bobbydalton98@outlook.com .