Clark suffered a buckled knee, twisted and dropped down as opponent Clint Alderton scored two punches and a knock down was called.

Clark said it was a close, evenly matched fight which could have gone either way.

“I spent the night chasing him around the ring to make up the points,” he said.

“I am a bit disappointed but that is boxing. It is anyone’s game when you get in the ring.

“I gave it a fair old crack with everything I had. I left no stone unturned.”

Father Barry Clark said the fight has been nominated for the fight of the year.

“Many of the boxing community said it was one of the most exciting and hardest bouts they have seen in years,” he said. 

Clark said he took a lot out of the fight.

“I now know where I have to be and what I need to do,” he said.

“I will be right back into the gym to get my body back and try and get another rematch and give it all I have.”