UNBEATEN boxer Kevin Hooper hailed a "brilliant" homecoming after winning for the first time in his own backyard.

The Grimsby-based light-welterweight earned a comfortable victory over former British Masters challenger Kristian Laight.

And it gave him an unblemished record of five successes on the trot since turning professional last October.

The 26-year-old's 10-month wait for action on the east coast could not have gone more smoothly yesterday as Swadlincote referee Rob Chalmers awarded him the fight 60-55 on points.

Hooper, who had more desire throughout, won all of the six two-minute rounds bar the third, adjudged even.

In truth, it was no classic, but Laight had little with which to hurt Hooper, who delivered in front of a partisan crowd at the Beachcomber in Humberston.

The event, staged by Hooper's manager Dave Coldwell, was the first in the Grimsby area since December 2008, the last time Laight tasted one of his six career victories as he approaches 100 fights in the professional game.

But a delighted winner declared: "He was the toughest challenger, by far, I have faced. He has just been in with Jay Morris for the British Masters title, losing a close points decision, so I knew it would be a tough test, especially in front of my home crowd with a lot of pressure on me. But it has gone really well.

"This is the best support I have ever had and I would like to thank everybody for turning out. It has been absolutely brilliant."

It was a sentiment backed by his trainer Sean Wood, who said the fight had gone to plan and that Hooper's hard work in preparation had all paid off.

There was a rousing home welcome for the Grimsby pro, who took to the ring with The Killers' Mr Brightside echoing around the oppressive heat in the Starlight Room as many of the 300 or so fans joined in singing and chanting.

Hooper showed he, too, was fine tuned with a positive start, taking the fight to his 30-year-old Nuneaton opponent with his left jab, but mixing it up with body shots and combinations.

He got forward at every opportunity but there was a lot of missing, while Laight was happy to keep his defence high. In the fourth round the tempo increased as the business end of the contest came into view, but it was obvious by then the Midlander was going to have to find a knockout punch to deny Super Hooper a homecoming party.

In fact Hooper was still the busier of the two and, though Laight had one or two shots reach their target, the writing was on the wall.

Promoter Coldwell, happy with the high fives for his man, and a good turnout from the fans, promised a return in October with Hooper again topping the bill.

Should another victory come his way then he will seriously start to think about every boxer's dream – a title shot.