Bolton boxer Rick Godding upbeat despite narrow points defeat

The 32-year-old light middleweight lost by just one point, 96-95, after 10 rounds against Manchester's 'Jimmy' Kilrain Kelly at the city's Arena on Saturday on his return to the big stage for the first time since 2015.

But he believes he did enough to win the contest and says despite being gutted with the loss, he has taken confidence from his performance against one of the top-rated boxers at his weight in Britain.

Godding told The Bolton News: "Of course, I was gutted to lose and by just a point as well.

"I thought I had won by a couple of rounds and even the home crowd were booing when the decision was announced.

"I put in the better shots early on and then stepped it up in the last four rounds.

"The referee had it three rounds to two in my favour at the halfway point and I did better in the second half of the fight.

"I have watched it back a few times since and still think I won but I can learn from it.

"The positive for me was that it proved I still have something to offer.

"I went in with a lad who is 24 and more than matched a boxer up there in the British rankings.

"We knew what he was about and the plan was to stay with him for the first few rounds then up it and that all went to plan.

"It was just a surprise when the decision went against me."

Godding remains upbeat despite a second loss from 26 professional bouts.

And he says his team will ask Kelly's camp for a rematch.

If that does not transpire, however, the Bolton fighter is keen to get back in the ring as soon as possible and make up for lost time after almost two years out with a shoulder injury between 2013 and his 2015.

Godding added: "I felt super fit in there and could have gone another 10 rounds.

"We will see what happens now. We will ask for a rematch but I doubt he would take it.

"If not then there are other fights out there.

"On that fight I know I still have it in me to box at a high level and I want to continue working towards that again."