AMBITIOUS boxing boss Dave Garside has warned title-challenger Marc Callaghan to expect the unexpected when he goes toe-to-toe with Michael Hunter in Hartlepool on Friday night.

The Borough Hall will be packed full of townsfolk hoping to see Hunter defend the super-bantamweight belt he won in April when he stopped Coventry's Mark Payne in seven rounds.

But Hartlepool's finest faces a stern test when Callaghan makes the trip to the North-East to battle it out with an old foe to become British champion.

The pair met in March 2001 and the contest at Crawley ended a draw which remains the only occasion Hunter has failed to win in his 20 professional fights.

And Garside, ahead of tomorrow's midday weigh-in, admits the rematch promises to be just as exciting, although he did suggest that the man from Essex should be ready for a changed man.

"Michael has come on leaps and bounds since then," said Garside, who wants to see his boxer can take another step towards a Commonwealth and European title bout with Esham Pickering.

"Michael has always been a quality fighter but he's improved since that day when they last met. But even then I would have said Michael deserved to win.

"Callaghan could only draw with Mark Payne whereas Michael beat him. But this is a totally different occasion and I'm sure Michael will not even be thinking about the past."

Another Garside-managed fighter - Kevin Bennett - shares top billing at the Borough Hall as he looks to defend his Commonwealth lightweight belt against Wales' Dean Phillips.

And Garside said: "This too will be great fight. He has got a tremendous amount of talent and he is determined to succeed."

He added: "My only gripe about the whole night is that it's ridiculous that we have two great title fights and Sky television are not interested.

"It would have been great if Sky had come along for both the boxers and the town but it's not to be. It will still be a great night. The biggest the town has ever known."

Darlington's undefeated duo Francis Jones and Argie Ward are also on the undercard.

* A sell-out is expected but there are still some tickets available priced £25 or ringside £40. Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can contact Dave on 07973 792588