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

Thomas Essomba would welcome a rematch with the man who took his Commonwealth title from him.
Bruised Jay Harris celebrates his win over Thomas Essomba last nightBruised Jay Harris celebrates his win over Thomas Essomba last night
Bruised Jay Harris celebrates his win over Thomas Essomba last night

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.

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“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.

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“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.”