Honour in defeat for Jordan ‘The Thrill’ Gill

There was honour in defeat for Chatteris boxer Jordan Gill as he missed out on the possible chance of a world title shot.

That opportunity is now likely to go to Zelfa Barrett who beat Gill by a 10th round technical knockout after a thrilling WBA international super-featherweight bout in Manchester.

Posh fan Gill was ahead on some cards when his impressive opponent knocked him down twice with a couple of blistering body shots.

Gill bravely rose to his feet twice, but the referee stopped the contest in favour of Manchester native Barrett, but 29 year-old Gill’s career is far from over after suffering just his third defeat in 32 professional bouts.

Gill was generous in defeat. He said: "I felt I was ahead when I was stopped, but congratulations to Zelfa as he’s fantastic fighter.

"He proved he's worldclass and I genuinely hope he goes on to win that world title.

"He's very tricky, hard to pin down. The more I pushed, the more I left myself open to those body shots. I got up, I will never give up, that's just who I am and I felt I could continue but the referee decided to stop the fight which he was entitled to do.

"Silly mistakes cost me. No excuses, I was in the best condition I could be in, physically and mentally, but Zelfa is a world champion in the making."

Promoter Eddie Hearn was delighted with the show put on by both boxers. He said: "Unfortunately, there's a winner and a loser, but here we've got two great blokes. I know Jordan Gill will be upset,

but he shouldn't give up. After nine rounds, it was anyone's fight.

"Zelfa won it with two fantastic body shots. For Jordan, I believe he can come back stronger. For Zelfa it's time

to give him a world title shot.”

Barrett shaded the first two rounds of an all-action start as both fighters refused to take a backwards step, but Gill jabbed and moved well to get back into the contest

despite some swelling on his left eye.

The pace didn’t drop, but the suspicion was the superior punching power of Barrett would eventually prove telling and it did in the 10th round of an absorbing contest.

Barrett admitted: “I didn’t expect Jordan to be so good. I was cruising and then he won a few rounds. I had to push the pace again to get the win.”

Jordan Gill (left) punches Zelfa Barrett. All photos Getty Images.

Jordan Gill (right) exchanges punches with Zelfa Barrett.

Jordan Gill has been knocked down by a big body shot.

Action from Jordan Gill (left) v Zelfa Barrett.