Steven Ward lost out in Kazakhstan on Saturday after a cut forced the premature end to his bout with Kamshybek Kunkabayev.
'The Quiet Man" took on Kunkabayev for the WBA Gold cruiserweight title at the CSKA Sport Complex in Almaty.
The Belfast boxer was put down in the fifth round before an accidental elbow cut Ward in the seventh.
The fight went to the scorecards with all three judges scoring it 70-62 in Kunkabayev's favour.
It was a brave effort from Ward who admitted he was "rolling the dice" by travelling to Kazakhstan for the fight.
The win sees Kunkabayev ease to a perfect professional record of 4-0, while it is Ward's (13-2) second defeat in the paid ranks.
Kunkabayev dictated the majority of the fight, finding success with a stinging right jab.
Ward was caught in the fifth round as he moved in, Kunkabayev landing a crisp left hook which forced the Belfast boxer to take a knee.
The fight was waved off in the seventh round after Ward sustained a nasty cut to his forehead from an accidental elbow.
The ringside physician deemed the injury too serious to continue.
