Norton crowned British champion

Avoided puncher Rob Norton has finally become British cruiserweight champion.

Norton claimed the vacant belt with a landslide points victory over Micky Steeds in Burton on Trent.

He had the Londoner on the floor in the sixth round and went on to take a unanimous points verdict by scores of 119-108, 118-110 and 118-109, after dominating the 12-round fight in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Norton took his chance after being made to wait more than three years for his title chance – despite being the No 1 contender.

The 36-year-old southpaw from Stourbridge has now finally got his moment in the sun.

He said: "I've waited so long for this chance. I've stuck at it when some people might have given up and now I've got my reward.

"I thought I was going to stop him in the later rounds, but my timing was off. I was pleased with my fitness, but I felt a bit rusty."

Norton went into the fight having been inactive since last December and wants a quick return to the ring.

Promoters First Team are hoping to line up a defence against Neil Simpson from Coventry, but he only drew with journeyman Paul Bonson the undercard.

Former amateur star David Dolan pressed his British title claims at the weight on the undercard by outpointing Rachid El Hadak.

Norton said: "Whoever it is, I just want to make a quick defence. Fighting once a year is no good to me and hopefully I can be more active now.

"The best fighters are the active fighters."

The reason for Norton's inactivity is not laziness, let it be known. He can punch hard and has been avoided. But finally he proved the old boxing saying that they can run but can't hide.

The opening three rounds last night were scrappy. From the fourth, Norton made the most of his height and reach advantages to take control.

He snapped solid jabs into Steeds' face and when the Londoner did burrow his way inside, Norton nailed him with uppercuts.

Steeds simply couldn't find an answer. He didn't connect cleanly often and when he did, Norton just smiled, shrugged his shoulders and came back with better punches.

Norton sent Steeds crashing over in the sixth with a perfectly-timed right hand as he rushed in. Steeds survived until the bell, but had run out of ideas.

He picked up a final warning for low blows from referee Howard Foster in the seventh and Norton continued to pile up the points.

Norton looked on the brink of forcing a stoppage in the final minute. He had Steeds back-pedalling and groggy with southpaw lefts, but the bell came to his rescue.

Telford's Tristan Davies also won on the undercard but local hero Jonjo Finnegan was stopped.