JEROME Xavier's hopes of clinching the light-welterweight crown against Michael Greaves in the Class C final were ended when he lost a controversial points decision at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The Chatham boxer appeared to have won the fight after an excellent performance but the judges decided otherwise and awarded the contest to Greaves by 14 points to six.

Many of the courtside observers consoled Xavier when the result was announced, including former World Featherweight Champion Colin McMillan, who told the boxer he should have been given the fight.

After the bout, Xavier defiantly said to his trainer: "I'm keeping a smile on my face. I'm not going to get the hump over this bad decision because I know I won the fight."

The light-welterweight will soon be back in training for the Senior ABA championships, which take place in February.