It took six times to get the answer right.

The sentence was simple enough. "I'm the best welterweight in Britain," chanted the TV reporter.

But James Hare found the words hard to get out.

He may indeed be the top domestic fighter in a red-hot division but Huddersfield's world champion is not the sort to boast about it.

And Hare was not comfortable with the idea of blowing his own trumpet even for promotional purposes.

Hare better get used to it after his silky smooth dismantling of Roman Dzuman to win the WBF belt in June.

Yesterday he was back on home turf at Huddersfield Sports Centre to announce his first defence against classy South African Jan Bergman on September 6.

The 33-year-old Bergman has been around the block, boasting a 46-fight CV which includes Zab Judah and undisputed light-welter No 1 Kostya Tszyu. As well as a certain Jawaid Khaliq.

That's where the battle of Britain talk begins. IBO champion Khaliq, Hare's stablemate and currently regarded as the top man, knocked out Bergman in seven rounds at Carnival City in March.

The gauntlet has been thrown down for Hare to do a quicker job in front of another guaranteed sell-out backing. Naturally he does not see it quite that way.

Hare said: "I'm not really thinking too much about that. Bergman poses a fair threat but you look at Jawaid Khaliq's performance against him and I'll be hoping to do something similar.

"Obviously I had a good performance last time out against someone who pushed Jawaid hard but that's history now. I'm on a ladder now and just climbing to try to better myself."

Hare has fended off the plaudits that have followed his superb win over Dzuman in typically modest manner.

"I'm proud to be WBF champion but I know there are tougher, harder fights out there," he said. "I'm nowhere near the top yet and I'm just concentrating on getting this job out the way."

Dale Robinson will again understudy with a tune-up eight-rounder ahead of a possible crack at the British flyweight title around Christmas.

Robinson said: "My last two fights haven't been brilliant so I'm looking forward to getting back into it. A late stoppage would be nice."

Match-maker Jon Sheppard predicts another capacity turn-out. He said: "Huddersfield is a gem because it's so easy to do with great local boxers and a great crowd.

"The people are friendly and guarantee a good atmosphere. It's

certainly premier division now."