Wolverhampton has a new boxing hero after Gully Powar was crowned British featherweight champion in Manchester on Saturday night - with opponent Zak Miller left with a horror head injury.

The 24 year old got his hands on the Lonsdale belt previously worn by city heroes Tony Wilson and Conah Walker after a technical points win over Miller.

Miller was left with frightening damage after a heavy clash of heads which left the fighter’s face severely disfigured.

The fight went to the scorecards in the 10th round after Miller was ruled out with grotesque swellings on his head.

Powar had been denied the British title after his draw with Rhys Edwards in Cardiff in April, but this time the judges saw the fight the same way as television pundits and ringsiders.

Scores of 96-94, 97-95 and 96-95 confirmed the Wolverhampton Boxing Club fighter as the new champion on a unanimous decision.

The result made Powar the first British champion from Richie Carter’s gym.

Powar started training with Carter when he was 10 years old and had 34 bouts with the ex-professional in his corner before turning to the paid ranks.

Carter says that in 45 years in boxing, he has never seen a fighter with Powar’s workrate and he drew praise from two former world champions who commentated on his Brtiish-title fight for DAZN.

Carl Frampton said Powar has “probably the best engine I’ve ever seen” and “could be very, very special” and Darren Barker said: “I want to watch him develop. He’s value for money.”

Queensberry Promotions – headed by Frank Warren - are now backing Powar after he was overlooked by other major promoters and the hope is his first title-defence will be closer to home after beating Miller in front of his Manchester fans.

Powar was the quicker to settle before Miller sharpened up his boxing to leave the fight in the balance after four rounds.

The fight turned back Powar’s way late in the fifth when he rocked Miller with a left hook.

He had a good sixth as well and had the crowd chanting: “Gully ! Gully !” in the seventh as he rattled Miller’s ribs and sent him back to his corner on rubbery legs and with blood dripping from a wound between his eyes.

Miller picked up another cut in the eighth and with the swellings on his head worsening, the ringside doctor was called to the ring apron to examine his injuries in the ninth.

Miller was allowed to continue and Powar went for him.

Powar had Miller hurt and holding with a left hook in the 10th before the fight was ended prematurely.