Hereford has its first British boxing champion of the 21st century - and probably since the 19th - after Darren 'Dazzo' Williams' featherweight success in Belfast last Saturday evening.

Twenty-nine-year-old Williams beat Roy Rutherford, of Coventry, on points in a hard 12-round battle, earning the referee's decision by a single point after a particularly impressive performance over the last two rounds.

While records are sketchy, it seems unlikely that any county fighter has held a title since bare-knuckle champion Tom Spring ruled the roost back in the 1820s.

Williams, a late entrant into the professional ranks two years ago, has raced to the title after just 11 bouts, of which he has won nine.

On Saturday, Williams began well at the King's Hall venue, taking the early rounds before the contest entered a close middle phase.

Rutherford profited from a Williams slip in the sixth to regain his momentum but the Hereford fighter roared back, taking the eighth and ninth and troubling Rutherford with a double left-hook combination in the eighth.

With both men marked around the face, Williams kept going right to the end and gained the verdict by the narrowest of margins, 115-114.

"I believe it was the last round that got my arm raised," said Williams. "His work rate was higher but I think I hit him with cleaner shots and had more mobility."

While there were, reportedly, some boos in the auditorium after the verdict - Williams' army background and the fact that he comes from Hereford were hardly likely to win friends in this Belfast area - there seemed no quibble with the outcome from the opposition camp.

"Roy Rutherford and his trainer had a drink with me afterwards and his trainer told me that he couldn't argue with the result," said Williams.

The new champion, who works part-time for Parry's Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers in Rotherwas, will now look to defend his title, perhaps in March with Rutherford in the frame for a re-match. But there is also a possibility that Jamie McKeever, whom Rutherford beat to take the title, will be Williams' next opponent.

"The fight could be in Wales, where I train," said Williams. "I know I'd have the crowd behind me there and it would easy for people from Hereford to travel down. But I'd also consider Hereford Leisure Centre if there was a chance of that.

"Now I'd like to earn a Lonsdale belt outright but ultimately every fighter dreams of having a world title fight."

Williams paid tribute to the strong support he has received from wife Kate and three-year-old daughter Paige.

"Kate has put a lot into it and there have been many sacrifices to be made with a 100-mile round trip for training three or four times a week," he said, adding with tongue firmly in cheek: "I had to win the title for Kate - if I hadn't won she would have beaten me up!

"But I'd also like to thank everyone who came out to support me, particularly Stefan Hitchinson, who has been fantastic."