A BOXER says he will compete for the British title after his conviction for assaulting two women was overturned.

Featherweight Samir Mouneimne, 22, has succeeded in appealing against his conviction after a judge dismissed the prosecution's case claiming it was "weak" and the evidence "inconsistent".

Speaking after the hearing at Hull Crown Court, Mr Mouneimne said: "I'm so happy with the verdict. I have finally been able to clear my name. All I want to do is get back in the boxing ring.

"It has been hard with this hanging over my head, but now I have my sights set on winning the British title next year and bringing it back to Hull."

Mr Mouneimne, of Prospect Street, city centre, had been convicted after a trial at Hull Magistrates' Court of punching Rebecca Wilson in the face and dragging Kelly Talbot on the floor by her hair at 2am on August 23 last year in Bond Street, city centre.

The women, both from Beverley, had alleged Mr Mouneimne had driven up to them in his silver Mercedes and he and four men had jumped out and began fighting with two men who were with them.

Miss Wilson said she had stepped in between them to stop the fight and was punched in the face.

She said the same man who punched her then grabbed her friend by her hair and dragged her along the floor.

Miss Wilson told the court: "I was scared and shook up. A couple of days later I recognised him in the sports section of the Mail and I called the police."

Miss Talbot told the court she was "terrified" by the violence.

When Mr Mouneimne was arrested he admitted being at the scene, but claimed the group had attacked his new car and he was not the person responsible for the assaults.

Due to the women giving different accounts of the fight and Miss Talbot not being able to identify her assailant, Recorder Graham Cook threw the case out claiming there was no case to answer.

If Mr Mouneimne had not had his conviction overturned he risked being sent to prison as the incident happened while he was serving a suspended sentence for previous violence.

He was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years in 2008 after he broke a man's jaw and kicked another 10 times in the head and body until he was unconscious.

Mouneimne had aspired to go to the Olympics, but was banned for five years after his last court appearance from all ABA-associated gyms as a result of his conviction.

He is now a professional boxer and is eyeing the British title.

The former St Paul's amateur boxing star took part in his first bout after an eight-month absence in Hull in May, defeating Anthony Hanna in the second round.

He said the win had elevated him to the "next level" in his career and he was looking for a title fight within 12 months.

He is next due to box on October 30 at the Bonus Arena in Walton Street, west Hull.