Bradford’s Shaun Doherty dreams of following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a British champion.

And he has enlisted his dad to help him on the way.

The 28-year-old is celebrating his first pro title after winning the vacant British Masters super-bantam belt with a thrilling victory over home-town favourite Matth-ew Edmonds in Newport.

Doherty stopped the fancied Welshman in the final round of a back-and-forth contest, dropping him three times before referee Roddy Evans stepped in.

It was only Doherty’s third win in ten paid-for outings – as well as three draws – but he has been in with tough company.

Edmonds had won 11 of his previous 15 fights, in-cluding a stoppage against Bradford’s Jamil Hussain in 2007.

Doherty still has some way to go to emulate the success of father John, who etched his name in Bradford sporting folklore by winning the domestic super-featherweight title on three occasions during the 1980s.

But his hopes are in good hands – Doherty’s old man is now training him at Huggy’s Gym in the city centre.

“It would be awesome if father and son were both British champions,” said owner Huggy Osman.

“Now Shaun is working with his father, they can bounce off each other.

“John Doherty was always known for his heavy work-rate and you can see him getting his son doing similar things. You can see there’s something there.

“Shaun’s had a patchy record in the past but he’s been put in with some very good opponents. He is better than that.

“This was a big win for him, and you could tell by his reaction.

“Normally Shaun shows very little emotion. But on the way back from Wales, he never stopped talking.

“We’re trying to get somebody lined up so he can fight again soon.

“Things are really looking up for Shaun now with his father there as well.

“The chance is there in that division to go a lot further. I can see him fighting for the British title before too long.”