SWINDON journeyman Joe Beeden was beaten in Bristol this evening.

Lightweight Beeden was thrust into a county clash at the Action Indoor Sports Centre in Bristol as he took on Ryan Wheeler – from Trowbridge’s Contender Gym – but the 21-year-old had no answer to his skilful opponent.

The Horseshoe Gym man got off to a difficult start after he was sent sprawling to the canvas by a punishing hook from his opposite number and things didn’t get any easier as he was stalked around the ring in unrelenting fashion.

Despite recovering well in the latter stages of the four-round contest, Beeden found himself on the wrong end of an emphatic 40-35 decision from referee Martin Williams.