Hartlepool boxer Michael Hunter is gunning to become the town's first world champion.

Hunter goes head to head with Sweden's Frankie De Milo a week today for the vacant WBF super-bantamweight title.

And it is expected that the fight will be witnessed by a sell-out 1000-strong patriotic crowd at Hartlepool's Jesters Centre venue.

And the Englishman's manager, Dave Garside, is convinced a vociferous home support can push his talented young boxer to victory.

"We have sold 900 tickets so far, so we are expecting a sell out and that can only be good for Michael," said Garside.

"The Jesters Centre is a terrific new venue, I would say it's probably the best boxing venue on Teesside.

"And because it is going to be a sell-out the place is going to erupt, it will be a good night and I'm sure Michael can come out on top."

Unbeaten Hunter has quickly forced his way up the rankings and he has every chance of taking the WBF belt.

But the much-travelled De Milo - a Swede, who was born in Rwanda, lives in Peterborough and now boxes out of Bristol - is sure to provide a stern test for the North-East's 24-year-old.

The African-born Scandinavian has lost just two of 14 contests and is ranked fourth in Britain.

And Garside admits that De Milo, who has been training in Copenhagen for the title fight, will be a tough nut to crack, he said: "De Milo is no mug and we're not going to say he is. He has gone close with a British champion and he is a clever fighter. Michael is going to have to be at his best and we have told him that.

"But Michael is in fine shape and he can't wait to get into the ring. He is ready, there's no doubt about that."

De Milo's manager, Chris Saniger, meanwhile, knows that Hunter will be hotly-tipped to claim the crown in front of his own fans.

But Saniger also claims that his man will be ready to dampen the party mood in the Neil Fannan-managed boxer's hometown.

"Frankie is really up for the fight," he said. "We feel the fight with Hunter is very much an even contest. I don't think either man can claim to be favourite.

"Obviously Hunter will probably be made favourite as the fight's in his own backyard, but that won't faze Frankie. He's confident he can win.

"The crowd will be 99 per cent behind Hunter, but Frankie is used to being the underdog and in many ways that can be to his advantage."

But Garside said: "Michael is getting nerves now, and we're still a week away. He was sparring with Noel Wilders last week in Leeds and he looks good." The weigh-in is on Thursday, 11am, at Eddie Ellwood's Fitness World, Hartlepool.

* There are a short number of tickets still available for the fight. Anyone interested should contact Dave on 07973 792588.