LEWISHAM boxer Rossco Parker was narrowly defeated by Sam Holloway for the Queensbury Boxing League’s vacant English middleweight crown on Saturday.

Parker, 36, produced yet another one of his gutsy displays to push his fellow challenger Holloway right down to the wire.

But after a carbon copy of their previous encounter in which Holloway also won, it was the Ramsgate man who was given the nod by all three judges, much to the disgust of Parker’s passionate army of supporters.

From the opening bell of the contest both men resumed their battle which had started back in March 2012.

And once again it was Parker on the front foot, pushing the action with his trademark forward pressure.

Holloway showed some good footwork as he used more movement to try and avoid the onslaught, and answered back with some crisp counters which caught the eye at ringside.

During the ensuing rounds the action was relentless, as both boxers jostled for position.

Each round was a carbon copy of the last with Parker pressing forward, while Holloway looked comfortable to work off the back foot and pick his shots.

After five completed rounds of action, it was once again left to the three ringside officials to try and separate the pair after another titanic struggle.

Both Parker and Holloway looked nervous as they were ushered to the centre of the ring by referee Seamus Dunne to await their fate.

But as master of ceremonies Grant Waterman read out the result, it was the Lewisham fighter who was left disappointed as Holloway’s name was read out as the winner by unanimous decision.

Parker felt he had done enough afterwards, but was optimistic about what lies ahead for him in the league.

He said: “I’m deeply disappointed with the result, as at the end of the fight I truly believed I won the contest.

“But I’m a sportsman and I’d like to wish Sam Holloway all the best for the win.

“Hopefully the league will be able to put the third fight on and give me a chance to put the record straight.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of my friends and family who supported me on the night and also helped me raise more than £400 for the Michael Norgrove fund.”

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