A first defeat as a professional boxer was tough to take for Alex Branson-Cole but he’s determined to come back strong in the new year.

The 30-year-old from Faversham put his unbeaten record on the line at York Hall on Saturday in what was billed as a 50-50 clash against Ethan George (5-1), another relative newcomer to the professional ranks.

Referee Sean McAvoy stopped the fight early in the second round after Welshman George had landed a blow that had briefly put the Kent man down.

Branson-Cole, who was deemed by the referee to be unfit to continue, said: “It was a risk that I didn’t have to take but I felt like I wanted to take it, I was ready. When that fight came up it was a good motivator for me.

“I got caught, got straight back up and the ref called it off. Everything is up to the ref and I believe he made the correct decision, it’s just gutting.

“At the time you feel embarrassed infront of your family, friends and everyone else watching, but after a while, you come to the realisation it is the sport I am in. Whenever I step through those ropes into the ring I am willing to take that risk of losing, it is all part and parcel of it.

“It wasn’t the plan, of course, it’s a hard pill to swallow. I was confident going into the fight, it’s just boxing I guess.

“It was a bit of a reality check but you always know there is a chance of losing.

“I had done the right training, I was as fit as I have ever been, mentally and physically, it is just one of those things, it only takes one shot in boxing and unfortunately I took more shots than I should have and the ref called it off.”

It was an aggressive start to the middleweight contest from Branson-Cole, on the front foot and making use of his height and reach advantage.

The Kent man went after his opponent from the start of the second round but was hit by a trio of big right handers, with George slipping as he looked to finish Branson-Cole off. It wasn’t long, however, before the Welshman won it with a left hook.

The Faversham roofer has been told by his trainer to take the rest of the week off and relax following the loss before getting back in the gym on Monday.

“It will be a learning lesson,” he said.

“We will get back at it, re-watch it and see where we went wrong and learn from there, it is about learning and progressing from here and pushing forward.

“I will bounce back from it and I am still confident I would beat him in a re-match. Once we get back I will speak to my manager and he will sort something out for the new year.

“I will try and relax this week, reset and hopefully go again in the new year.”