PRESTWICH boxer Chris P. Bacon lost his latest fight for the British Masters title after going the distance in Liverpool.

Bacon was up against Londoner Gary Delaney in a cruiserweight contest that went the full 12 rounds before the verdict went to Delaney on points.

"It was a close fight. There wasn't much in it," said Tasmanian-born Bacon. "With another week's training I might have taken it, but Delaney is an experienced guy who has had a lot of fights."

It was only Bacon's second fight since making a comeback from a back injury that at one stage looked to have ended his career in the ring.

Hindsight

"Looking back, in hindsight, it might have come a bit too soon," said Bacon. "It went to the last round, but he was the better boxer. You've got to give that to him.

"I am going to take a week off to think about things, but I have still never been put down in a fight. I have had 13 fights now, winning 11 and losing two, both on points."

Bacon's trainer, Ray Farrell, said: "The World Boxing Union title fight Chris was being lined up for will probably go out of the window now, but you never know in boxing.

"It's a setback, but it's not a disaster. Chris is still a learner to a certain extent. We only had three weeks notice for the fight, but Chris is always fit, he's always in the gym so we took the fight.

"It was a bit of a gamble that didn't work out. Now we have to get Chris's career back on the road. We will get him two or three eight or ten round fights and then try for a title fight again.

"September in Manchester is a possibly date for his return," added Farrell. By STEVE BOTT