BIRKENHEAD boxer Chloe Watson said "this is just the beginning" after she won the European flyweight title in a bruising Bolton battle, live and free-to-air on Channel 5.

Watson defeated France's Justine Lallemand on points at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Friday night, awarded victory by the ringside judges with scores of 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94.

Watson, 23, was roared on by a raucous band of supporters at the Wasserman Boxing event as she claimed the first title of her professional career, in only her seventh professional contest.

Guided in the corner by British boxing legend Ricky Hatton, Watson got to grips with the experienced Lallemand and her relentless pressure told as she took a unanimous decision win, in front of the Channel 5 cameras.

After a fight that was delivered in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum, Watson said: "It was a good scrap, as you can see from the bump on my head!

"This is my first title as a professional and it means so much.  I knew this fight was a step in the right direction and I know there is still loads to work on in the gym so this is just the beginning."

Watson had told Sky Sports that her ultimate future opponent would be a major fight with American world champion Seniesa Estrada.

"The saying goes, train until your idols become your rivals. That would be massive for me," Watson added.

"We're not there yet. It's definitely in my sights, for sure."