MICHAEL HUNTER has warmed Hartlepool up for a night of championship boxing by warning the unfamiliar challenger to his European crown to expect 'the works' at the town's Borough Hall tonight.

Hunter was scheduled to open his defence as European super-bantamweight champion against Massimo Morra, but after the Italian withdrew a few weeks ago, cultured Kazakhstan boxer Yersin Jailauov has been lined up.

Thousands of billboard posters, including those that were plastered on the walls at yesterday's weigh-in, still promote the original contest but there are no queries over what direction Team Hunter's camp want to head in.

Regardless of the opposition, the 28-year-old's sole aim is to put on a wholehearted performance in front of his own vociferous supporters and the Sky cameras, who are showing the first of the three bouts for which he is contracted.

"It doesn't matter that the Morra fight was cancelled. Doesn't matter at all," said Hunter, who has shot to prominence across the globe.

He has risen into the top five of the world rankings following October's points win over Newark's Esham Pickering that earned him European, Commonwealth and British glory.

"I couldn't care less about why the Morra fight is not on. What matters now is this fight. It helps me that I don't know anything about him - I can just about say his name. When you do know a lot about someone you have an impression of what they will fight like.

"Until now we have known nothing about each other. It could have got inside our heads had we met before. All I know is that I'm ready and it's good to know the big time is back in Hartlepool."

Hunter, at 8st 9lb 3oz, weighed in at eight ounces under Jailauov, who has done his homework and expects to be given a rough ride from the Hartlepool public as well as the European No 1.

Jailauov's manager Alexander Yagupov, whose fighter has lost just three of 21 bouts and has been ranked 12th in the world before, said: "This is old school. Hartlepool may not be a big place but we know that it will have every bit of passion that bigger places do. It is a place with a lot of heart and that's what we expect Michael to have."

Hunter's coach Neil Fannan has warned Jailauov: "When things are not going Michael's way it tends to bring the best out of him."

Fannan knows Hunter's determination has resulted in his only blemish from 24 bouts being a draw with Marc Callaghan in 2002.

"If Michael has his way he would get embroiled in a fight from the first bell. But I try to calm him down and tell him to bide his time. I will tell Michael that his opponent wants to give him a boxing lesson rather than a fight that will suit Michael. Michael will then go for it and get involved in a proper fight."

Callaghan will be in action against Sean Hughes for the English super-bantamweight crown, which could double up as an eliminator to face Hunter for his British title.

But there will also be another top event on the card with Hartlepool-born Steve Conway fighting IBO world champion Mihaly Kotai.

Conway edged a points win over the Hungarian in December's lightweight non-title contest and he is hoping to repeat the feat tonight, which will earn him the global belt.

"It's an early start (6pm at the Borough Hall) because it's being screened live on Hungarian television. But it doesn't matter what time it starts because I'm feeling in really good shape," said Conway. "I moved out of Hartlepool to Dewsbury when I was ten years old. I still have family in Hartlepool and there will be a few there on Friday night.

"It would be great for me to get the IBO title. It may not be the biggest prize of all but it's an important one for me to get my name noticed."

One of the ten fights on the undercard involves Darlington's Francis Jones, who will be fighting Ben Hudson.

* There are a selected number of tickets that can still be purchased at £30 and £40. Any not bought by lunchtime today can be paid for on the Borough Hall doors tonight, which open at 5.30.

Read more about Hartlepool here.