Tom Farrell had a contentious points decision defeat to Cori Gibbs in the final of the Boxxer Series tournament tonight.
The 31-year-old was sure he had done enough to see off his Birmingham rival at the M&S Bank Arena but two of the ringside judges awarded the bout - and a cheque for £40,000 - to Gibbs.
Farrell's fans jeered the decision which saw only one official award victory to the former Knowsley Vale amateur.
Two judges ruled it for Gibbs with scores of 29-28 and 30-27, while Farrell got the nod on one card by 29-28.
Farrell had overcome the "bogeyman" Ben Fields in a tight quarter-final earlier in the night before dropping Manchester's Kane Gardner en route to a semi-final victory.
But despite appearing to have done enough to win the tournament, he was left denied by the officials.
He said: "I'm a little bit disappointed.
"I thought it was close. Hats off to him, I couldn't have done anymore.
"I feel like I've done myself proud."
Sean Dodd's return to the ring, after almost two years and having "lost everything" during the pandemic, would not deliver a fairy tale.
The Birkenhead fighter lost on points to Gibbs in controversial fashion with many at ringside, as well as Dodd's fans inside the M&S Bank Arena, certain his pressure-tactics had been enough to book a semi-final place.
But 'Masher' won the fight in the eyes of just one ringside judge, with the other two awarding a place in the last four to Gibbs with scores of 29-28 (twice).
Dodd's supporters voiced their displeasure at the result.
There was first fight disappointment for Nathan Bennet, who lost on points to Gardner.
Bennett made an encouraging start and would have felt confident of pocketing the opening round with the judges but his Manchester opponent came on strong thereafter, winning on all three scorecards.
The judges turned into scores of 29-28 (twice) and 30-27.
