'One Smack' vows to bounce back

High Peak boxer Jack Massey has vowed to come back stronger after Saturday’s cruiserweight clash with Cheavon Clarke in Bournemouth ended in defeat. 

Despite dominating the opening exchanges – forcing two knockdowns in round four – the Chapel-en-le-Frith fighter was unable to get over the line on the South Coast, with a “premature” round seven stoppage bringing the bout to an end. 

The defeat was Massey’s fourth in 27 professional outings, and means a potential showdown with Chris Billam-Smith – who overcame Ryan Rozicki on the same card – now looks unlikely. 

“The stoppage was very premature,” revealed 'One Smack’. 

“Looking at what the ref gave him, it was very one sided. 

“I felt alright to be honest, I took the knockdown, gave a little nod, waited for the seven eight, and then I was up. 

“He caught me with a couple of shots, but I still felt alright, and then the ref jumped in.” 

The 33-year-old was also left frustrated by his own performance, having let his opponent back in after a strong start. 

“It was mixed emotions, I wasn’t really upset, I was just angry and frustrated, which isn’t like me,” said Massey. 

“I was winning the fight, I was hurting him, and that’s where we slipped up. 

“Because I knew I was hurting him, I was looking for the big shots - Kevin in my corner kept telling me to stop looking for that Hollywood finish.” 

The fight – which was broadcast live on Sky Sports – was the first of the Derbyshire bruiser’s three-fight deal with newly formed Zuffa Boxing. 

“It is what it is, we go again,” said a defiant Massey. 

“It’s frustrating, but it’s [not] the losses that define us – we'll be back.”