BRITISH featherweight title-holder Darren 'Dazzo' Willi-ams sent his home town fans wild with delight when he successfully defended his crown against Coventry's Roy Rutherford in front of a capacity crowd at Hereford Leisure Centre last night.

Both fighters gave their all in a gripping contest but Williams' clear superiority was reflected in the marks of referee Richie Davies who awarded the bout to the Hereford man by 117-112.

For Williams, it was a second successful defence of the crown he took from Rutherford on a single-point decision in Belfast back in November.

Now a shot at the European title awaits Hereford's first British champion in 200 years.

If all goes to plan, that may also take place in Hereford later in the summer.

"It was a very hard fight and I had to dig deep," said Williams. "But the crowd were fantastic and I take my hat off to them."