Chatham’s Robert Caswell lost his Southern Area title fight at the weekend.

Caswell went into his super featherweight area title fight at York Hall with an 8-0 unbeaten record, but suffered a TKO defeat against Michael Webber-Kane from Great Yarmouth.

Webber-Kane took the vacant title with a sixth-round stoppage to extend his winning record to 12-0.

Caswell was well backed, including noisy supporters on the bus from Chatham Town’s Bauvill Stadium, in good spirits after a 6-3 win over Billericay. The Chatham boy was fighting with his hometown club badge proudly displayed on his shorts.

The bout was billed as a 50-50 contest but there was a standing count for Caswell late in the first round after a flash knockdown, coming despite an encouraging start to the contest for the Medway fighter.

Webber-Kane threw a good right hand in the second which led to another eight-count for Caswell and the Chatham man was on the ropes at the end of the round.

Caswell had it all to do to get back into the contest against a confident opponent who edged the next two rounds but still showed signs that he wasn’t finished.

Round five saw him start to show some dominance but Webber-Kane ended the contest in round six, throwing a big left-hook, and it wasn’t long before the referee waved it off.

Caswell, 23, had been hoping an area title would open the door for English and eventually British title opportunities but those hopes suffered a setback with his weekend loss.

Speaking after his win, Webber-Kane said of his opponent: “I put him down in the first round and the second and wanted to finish it off in the third but he dug in and was strong.

“I have nothing but respect for him. He was super fit, a tough boy and a pleasure to share the ring with.”