BOLTON boxer Robin Reid landed the world title - and a tribute from the legendary Marvin Hagler - in Milan on Saturday.

The Egerton-based fighter won the WBC super-middleweight belt with a seventh round triumph over the extrovert Vincenzo Nardiello with a performance which impressed former undispute world middleweight champion Hagler who was watching at ringside in his home city.

Reid revealed: "He said I looked like a champion from the start, and boxed well. Hagler said he could see I was hungry - and as long as I keep that hunger I will keep the title.

"That was great respect from the man to say that, coming from a great fighter like that. My camp all knew I could do it, but some people said I didn't deserve the chance because I hadn't fought for a British or European title."

He added: "Frank Warren had the confidence in me to win a world title - in Italy and in Nardiello's backyard. It was a team effort." Part-time model Reid, 25, had to be thankful for some strong refereeing from New Jersey's Frank Cappuccino, handling his 62nd world title fight.

Three times Nardiello slumped to the canvas claiming foul blows, but each time Cappuccino would have none of it.

A thumping left hook to the ribs from the southpaw stance finally broke Nardiello's heart and resistence. But that was not the only break.

The Italian turned up at the post-fight reception with a plaster cast stetching to his elbow after fracturing two bones in his left hand.

Warren said: "Robin is one of the crop of young fighters coming through. He's a sensible lad, pretty much an introverted character, not in any way loud. He will bring a new dimension to British boxing.

"A lot of people say boxing is dead. But because it is not on terrestrial television, that is not the case. Boxing is very much alive, there are a lot of young fighters coming through like Robin - and I'm fortunate to be promoting many of them."

Reid brought Nigel Benn's former WBC crown back to Britain after a seven month gap to move into the big time after 22 fights quietly building his career since winning the Olympic bronze in Barcelona. BURY'S Adey Lewis took his unbeaten professional record to ten wins when he stopped experienced Sunderland bantamweight Gary Hickman in the third round in Shaw yesterday.

Lewis had Hickman down in all three rounds with fierce body punching before the referee stoped the contest.

The 'Mighty Atom', who has won nine bouts inside the distance will fight for the vacant Central Area flyweight championship on December 1 against Louis Veitch of Blackpool.

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