HORSESHOE Boxing Club’s Harrison Pearson produced a heroic display but was unlucky to lose in the final of the All England competition earlier this month.

Pearson was in action in the under-80kg class at the International Sports Arena in Sheffield and headed into his semi-final against Lewis Marshall with a record of five wins from seven, whereas his opponent had lost just once in 14 bouts.

The Horseshoe man had it all to do and from the first bell set about his task well, catching Marshall with a powerful back-hand screw, which sent him backwards onto the ropes.

Pearson boxed clever, never rushing his work, and midway through the third round the referee stopped the bout as Marshall had no answer to Pearson’s persistence.

The win booked Pearson a place in the final where he was to face a third meeting with British champion Albie Samways, having lost the previous two contests.

Pearson stuck to his plan and got down low, moving from side to side to pin Samways in the corners. He let his power take control and Samways began to struggle, with blood pouring from his nose.

The first round belonged to Pearson and it was a similar story in the second too.

Pearson had kept Samways’ supporters silent but in the closing stages of the third round Samways launched on the attack, catching Pearson and following it up with a second phase just before the bell.

The judges were required to decide the result and there was great surprised by all when they awarded Samways the win on a split decision.