Sam Eggington wish to become a two-weight European champion ended with a gutsy defeat by Abbas Barao.
Defeated by a majority decision at the Telford International Center on Friday night for the Stourbridge fighter, Barao ultimately proved too strong over 12 action-packed rounds as he claimed a future shot at the EBU super-welterweight crown and the WBA world title.
Eggington needed five stitches for a cut above his left eye following the ninth loss of his 43-fight professional career.
The 30-year-old entered the night as the underdog and the bookies were eventually proved right with Germany’s Barau, a year his junior, landing more consistently and more often.
But it was by no means a poor performance by Sam Eggington, who actually outboxed the former European amateur champion for long periods.
Instead it was in the trenches, where Eggington often excelled throughout his career, with the German proving superior, his right hook ultimately becoming the fight’s dominant and most punishing punch.
In truth, things were pretty even for the opening half, perhaps two-thirds of the contest confirmed as the final eliminator for the WBA crown.