Sunday 28 February 2016 02:06, UK
Scott Quigg is hoping to have a rematch with Carl Frampton after losing his WBA world title to the Northern Irishman on a split decision in Manchester.
The Bury fighter's record slipped to 31-1-2-KO23 after starting tentatively against IBF holder Frampton (22-0-KO14) and despite coming on strong in the second half of the fight, he was on the wrong end of a 116-112, 116-112 and 113-115 decision.
Quigg told Sky Sports afterwards: "I thought it was going to plan. I thought it was even after four. I felt comfortable in there.
"The shots the judges must have been scoring, I felt I was blocking and in the second half - especially the last four or five rounds - I put the foot to the pedal.
"In the 11th, I had him going. The plan was to not run out of steam with someone as good as Carl. You have to show respect; same as he did with me. He caught me with a good shot in fourth and I think my jaw's gone.
With the judges' scorecards, I should have started faster but it's too late now. I felt comfortable in there and thought I was winning the rounds.
"It took me another round to make sure the punches I was going to get hit with didn't hurt and they didn't. They didn't affect me. I might have wanted to go a round earlier.
"One of the judges saw it my way but they gave it to him. Fair play to him. It was a great fight.
"With the judges' scorecards, I should have started faster but it's too late now. I felt comfortable in there and thought I was winning the rounds. I wasn't getting hit clean but it's how the judges saw it and I'm not going to discredit the decision.
"He's got the decision, he's won and I'd love a rematch. It was the second fastest-selling event in the [Manchester] arena and hopefully whoever the fans were here to support, I hope they enjoyed it and we put on a great show.
"I'm going to be back in the gym on Monday and we're going to keep working. We'll be back. I'd like a rematch. One judge saw it my way and saw the way I was boxing. He's won and fair play to him."
Quigg's trainer Joe Gallagher added: "After four rounds, I had it level. I thought Scott was taking most of the shots on the gloves and being patient, making Carl overreach. Then I was getting feedback that Sky had us down and I was like: 'How? We're not getting hit clean.'
"We changed strategy and made a fight of it and put pressure on him. That's what we did do but I didn't think it was as big as 116-112. I thought Scott was very patient early on and didn't take anything that troubled him early on. I was surprised."
