Ricky Boylan has vowed to come back from his first defeat in 13 bouts stronger and better for the experience - and he wants a rematch.
The Carshalton-based boxer lost on a majority points decision in Saturday’s light welterweight English title fight against Tyler Goodjohn at the O2 Arena.
Two of the three judges gave Goodjohn the fight (96-94), while the third had the bout drawn (96-96).
He said: “I am gutted to have lost, but in boxing it is one of those things.
“I’ve watched the fight back on video and I can see where I made little mistakes, but it was a close fight, with one round going one way and one round going the other.
“It’s disappointing of course, but as long as I learn from the mistakes, I will come back stronger for losing.”
He added: “I have shown the fans a lot about me. I can take a hit to the chin, I can comfortably fight 10 rounds getting my punches in, and I have a big heart.”
Boylan, who changed training camps in the run up to the bout, is hoping Goodjohn will accept a rematch when he vows to put things right.
“I spoke to Eddie [Hearn] afterwards and he hinted that Tyler might be up for it,” the 26-year-old former Southern Area champion said.
“I may take on a six-round bout to get back to winning ways, but if Tyler said he’d fight again tomorrow, I’d be there and I would beat him.
“My preparation for this fight was not perfect because of changing training camps, but next time I would be ready to put things right.
“Hopefully he’ll accept the rematch. It was a very close fight, but I know I can beat him.”
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