DANNY Whitaker lost his Central Area heavyweight title fight on Friday night, going down on points to Chris Healey in Sheffield.

The Silsden boxer had beaten Healey over four rounds last March, but failed to do it over 10 on this occasion, losing 96-95 in heartbreaking fashion.

Whitaker, who was the favourite in many people's eyes, will have been gutted to lose, knowing that a potential shot at an English title could have awaited him in the coming months if he had emerged victorious.

But he was magnanimous in defeat, saying: "The result didn't go my way.

"It was a very very close fight and I just didn't do enough in the middle rounds to get the nod.

"I will be back fitter and stronger next time with this valuable experience behind me.

"Hats off to Chris Healey. He brought one hell of a fight and congrats on the win. Its now one apiece so let's get that trilogy arranged."

The defeat was Whitaker's third in seven professional bouts.