SHAYNE Singleton’s bid to become British champion ended in defeat as he was stopped by rival Bradley Skeete in Brentwood on Friday.

East Lancashire’s Singleton was aiming to become the UK welterweight champion and had been made to wait to battle Skeete after the bout was rearranged five times before finally taking place this weekend.

But it was not the result the Colne hitman would have wanted after referee Marcus McDonnell stopped the bout in the early stages of the fifth round.

Singleton was visibly disappointed at the decision in the ring but the call came after Skeete landed a flurry of punches in the opening 30 seconds of the fifth, and although Singleton did manage to respond, by then McDonnell had already intervened.

Both boxers had traded insults in the build-up to the fight and it was Singleton, who went in to the contest with just one defeat on his record, who started the brighter with the 27-year-old edging the opening two rounds.

But home favourite Skeete, who has extended his record to 26 wins from 27 fights with this victory, began to take control in the third.

He knocked Singleton down with a strong right hand at the end of the round and repeated the feat in the fourth round as he threatened to end the contest with a strong finish to that round.

Skeete was now in control and although, Singleton gestured to the Londoner to show he was able to withstand the punishment, Skeete’s opening barrage in round five proved too much for the East Lancs favourite.