HARTLEPOOL fighter Richard O'Neill returned with a bang at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre on Saturday night as North-East fighters dominated proceedings, writes Peter Mann.

With all home fighters claiming victory - Sedgefield's Jeff Saunders moved to a 9-0 record with a workmanlike performance over Fonz Alexander and Darlington’s Troy Williamson showcased his skills against Yailton Neves - it was certainly a night to remember.

O'Neill opened the show and, after blowing off the cobwebs in the first round, the North-Easterner impressively put his opponent to the canvas after just 55 seconds of the second.

Darlington's Steve Cooper then worked his way through four rounds for only the second time this year, claiming a points win and his fourth victory from six outings to date.

After the interval, Neil Hepper took centre stage in a barnstorming contest over the ‘Mad Man’, Michael Mooney. As the contest went back and forth, Hepper was not going to let the fight slip away from him, and he smashed his way to a points win, both fighters leaving with smiles on their faces.

Then came Williamson, impressive on his debut last month in Scotland, and his homecoming performance was every bit as eye-catching as his debut bout. Neves, his opponent, tried and failed to pick the lock of the Darlo star’s defence, and Williamson eased home.

Whatever Williamson did, Saunders was able to match.

Moving on to six rounds, he opposed a tough and durable Fonz Alexander, with the visitor making his unbeaten opponent work the entire six rounds. For Saunders though, it looked as though he was happy to get the win and ease his way through the rounds without breaking sweat.

Dignitaries ringside, which included Darlington's former world champion Stuart Hall and the Darlington FC manager Martin Gray, were well entertained as professional boxing returned to the Dolphin Centre.