Adam Dingsdale suffered a points defeat in his European title fight against Stephen Ormond.

The Hoo boxer had taken the fight at short notice but took the defending champion the distance.

A unanimous decision saw the judges score the fight 96-94, 97-94, 96-94 in Ormond’s favour.

Dingsdale had gone into the fight with an unbeaten record, withy his last fight taking place on September 20, as he claimed the British Masters title.

Ormond had claimed his European crown with a with a first-round knock-out of Adam Mate but found Dingsdale a far tougher opponent.

Dingsdale had never gone past four rounds professionally, but lasted the full 10 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Monday night.

His manager Stefy Bull said: “I’m very proud of Adam. He took the fight with just a week’s notice.

“He fought his heart out and against a tough opponent he took him to the wire.”