LEE Churcher has spoken of his delight at being crowned WBU world middleweight champion on a night the Newport fighter will never forget.

A packed Pill Millennium Centre saw the Welshman recover from a third-round knockdown to claim a unanimous points victory over Ghana's Ishmael Tetteh.

And what made the occasion even more special for the former soldier was that a number of his family and friends were there to see him triumph.

“My dad took a turn for the worse a couple of years ago and it was quite an emotional time for me,” he said. “He’s 80 now and hasn’t been very well but came to watch me fight the other night.

“He doesn’t get out of the house much these days so for him to be there and witness me winning the belt was unbelievable. He was buzzing after the fight.”

Churcher, 36, who clinched the fourth title of his pro career when beating Tetteh to the vacant strap, added: “I’ve won a belt for all four of my children now, and three of them were there at the weekend.

“My partner Rhiannon and my sister were also at the fight – my mum was babysitting my youngest – and it was great to have so many family members and friends there.

“They gave me so much support and I was glad I could repay them by winning the belt.”

He continued: “I’m not going to go around saying I’m the best in the world but I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved.

“I’ve won a world title by beating a really tough opponent who has not had the recognition he deserves.

“I was taken into the trenches on Saturday night and his experience showed – he’s had more knockouts than I’ve had fights.

“I’m a Newport boy and I don’t fight for money, I fight for personal recognition, and I have worked really hard for this.

“I didn’t think I’d be in this position three or four years ago and I feel lucky to have been given the chance to get to where I am.”

Churcher knows his performance against Tetteh could have been a lot smoother, but it was the African’s awkward style that caused the home fighter problems.

However, Tetteh, a former Commonwealth super-middleweight title challenger, was also deducted a couple of points for illegal use of the head.

Meanwhile, Churcher was keen to thank strength and conditioning guru Gavin Attorre, coaches Tony Borg, Roger Williams and Dave Exton, and training partner Sean McGoldrick for their help with his pre-fight preparations.