RIFLEMAN Lewis Van Poetsch lost out by a single point at Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre on Saturday night.

Light middleweight Van Poetsch (pictured), who was stepping into the ring for the second time as a professional, was narrowly beaten 39-38 by Newport's Jerome Samuels in a four round contest.

Van Poetsch got embroiled in a war. A frantic opening round saw both boxers dropping their guard and going toe-to-toe with right and left hooks flying. That pace continued in the second round but Van Poetsch was hurt by a good left-hand from Samuels. Both boxers refused to back down in the third, trading punches at will in another close round.

Van Poetsch and Samuels understandably tired early in the fourth before the punches flew again in the dying stages. Van Poetsch said: "I was disappointed with the decision but I can't really have any complaints. Many people said it was the fight of the night and I won't fight any other way.

"We both came to fight and that's the way I like it.

"I asked him for a rematch immediately after the final bell and he has agreed."

Photo: Nizaam Jones