THE best of Bolton became the best of British when John Hale won his first major Thai boxing title.

The local fighter unanimously outpointed Dave Cole of Wolverhampton over five tough rounds to take the vacant British light middleweight title at Horwich Leisure Centre.

Hale crowned a successful show for Bolton Thai Boxing Club fighters after stablemate, nine-year-old Reece Wayne, opened the show with a creditable draw with Nathan Maxted of Shipley.

Debutant Chris Mitchell, who took his first fight at three days' notice, drew his middleweight bout with Kevin Hall of Macclesfield and Andrew Morris scored a unanimous points victory over Shipley's Ben Duffy on his professional debut in the 80k category.