Beaten Thomas Essomba eyes rematch, but new champ ready to look elsewhere

The Sunderland lost his flyweight belt on a unanimous decision to unbeaten Swansea boxer Jay Harris last night.

All three judges sided with the 26-year-old by margins of five, three and one round.

“I would love a rematch if it I’d possible,” said the 29-year-old. “It was a good fight and I would like the chance to fight him again.

“He was a clever, strong and good boxer.

“I am disappointed with how it went, but Jay was strong.

“He stayed up with shots I caught him with which would have put a lesser boxer down.”

But the new champion, heavily marked at the end of his first 12-round contest, poured cold water on Essomba’s hopes.

“I thought I won the first six rounds, but credit to Essomba, he was tough,” he said.

“Knowing I had not been past four rounds, I think his plan was to stick it on me, but I didn’t buckle.

“It might be a good fight to have again a bit further down the line, but now I think I need to get some rounds under my belt first.”