Mark Hobson proved a cut above the rest by becoming British cruiserweight champion.

Huddersfield's Hobson decked opponent Rob Norton twice on the way to adding the domestic title to the Commonwealth in Sheffield last night.

But his convincing 118-110 points win was not without drama after he suffered a deep cut by his left eye following a clash of heads.

Within seconds of the eighth-round collision, blood was pouring down the left side of his face. Had referee Marcus McDonnell decided to stop it at that stage, Hobson's West Midland rival would have been awarded the verdict by default.

But veteran cutsman Benny King did a superb job in the corner to patch Hobson up and he finished the fight without any late scares.

Hobson said: "I was winning it well when the cut happened and it was just a case of not getting silly or panicking. I knew if I stuck to my boxing I would be all right. I knew I could hurt him with the right hand and caught him again and again. But he is an ex-world champion and a really tough guy."

Hobson sent Norton tumbling as early as the second round when a slight feint with the left was followed up by an explosive right that landed smack on the jaw.

He produced the more accurate work throughout the fight as south-paw Norton hoped to get lucky with a haymaker left.

One did wobble Hobson in the fifth but he stayed on his feet - unlike Norton in the following round when he walked on to a couple of quick rights and was forced to take a standing eight count.

Rising cruiserweight star David Haye and WBO champion Johnny Nelson were ringside and Hobson - only the second Huddersfield fighter to win a British title - vowed to take on all-comers. He said: "I'm not going to call out names but if anyone wants to fight they've only got to show me the money."