Brooklyn Tilley tasted defeat in the ring on Saturday night - but the experience on the big stage has only encouraged him more.

The 22-year-old from Rainham took a month off work in preparation for the BOXXER lightweight series in Coventry and is set to quit the day job in the building game to concentrate on boxing full-time.

Tilley was beaten on points at the quarter-final stage to Shaun Cooper - the most experienced man of the eight who were competing in the one-night knockout contest.

“I was a bit disappointed with the outcome, but really enjoyed the experience,” Tilley said.

“I thought I had won it myself and I keep watching it back. My trainer is honest with me and thought I should have won but I am not going to sit and dwell on it, I will just crack on to the next one straight away.

“I didn’t have it easy [after a tough opening round draw against Cooper] but I have always had it quite hard in the fight game, I am used to it. I don’t mind taking the chance when it comes along, I haven’t got the last name like Campbell Hatton [son of multiple world champion Ricky], someone like that, I have to work hard in the sport to get somewhere.”

Tilley put up a spirited effort against Cooper but all three judges scored the fight 29-28 to the more experienced man, who was then knocked out in the semi-finals.

The one-night, eight-man BOXXER Series took place at the Skydome in Coventry and was broadcast live on Sky Sports. Prior to the event there was a press conference, a live draw and a weigh-in. It was an experience the young hopeful has taken a lot from.

Tilley said: “I was a bit nervous when I first arrived at the arena but as soon as I got changed, I thought ‘corr, I could get used to this!’.

“When I was walking in people I didn’t even know were taking photos of me and recording me, it was mental.

“I feel like I haven’t even lost - I feel like I have gained so much from doing it.

“I am not going to go back to work, I am going to go full-time in boxing, I think.

“It is a big move but I got paid nicely from that fight so I am going to use that money wisely to get me through to the next fight date and keep chipping away at it. I have got enough money to tie me over to the next fight, it is all good.”

Tilley (3-1) hopes to be fighting for the Southern Area title in the not-too-distant future. He’s next in action on June 25 at the Maidstone Leisure Centre.

“I just want to see how far I can go,” he said.“I want to get back on it now, any opportunities given, I am not going to say no. If the phone rings, I’ll take it.”