GRAYS boxer "Big" John McDermott has been crowned the English heavyweight champion.
The Basildon-born fighter defeated Birmingham opponent Pele Reid at York Hall in Bethnal Green, east London, to claim the vacant title.
McDermott was declared the winner in the second round of the scheduled 10-round bout when referee Terry O'Connor stopped the fight.
The win was third time lucky for the 28-year-old fighter, who lived in Horndon on the Hill before moving to Grays.
McDermott's first attempt at the English title in December 2004 ended in a points defeat to Mark Krence.
And a crack at the British title 12 months later also ended in disapppointment when he lost in the first round to Matt Skelton after the referee stopped the contest.
Victory over Reid, who is trained and coached by former WBC super middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall, takes McDermott's record to 25 win and three defeats in a professional career spanning eight year.
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