SALE boxer Sam Hyde was left disappointed after being forced to end his fight early at Manchester Arena on Saturday and concede defeat.

The 25-year-old suffered a badly swollen left eye and his corner threw the towel in during the eighth round of his bout for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Cruiserweight Championship against Londoner Richard Riakporhe.

It meant, despite being ahead on all three judges’ cards, Hyde suffered a first professional defeat in his 15th fight.

Hyde told the Messenger: “I was gutted I didn’t get the win I think I deserved.

“The commentators and the judges both had me ahead and many thought I won every round.

“But my eye just got worse – it wasn’t one punch but two or three times it got caught.

“I have not had much luck with injuries but the fight did help raise my profile.”

Hyde is now planning a few weeks off to recover and then he is aiming for bigger challenges in 2019.

He added: “I am going to rest now and have Christmas off while I recover.

“I am having cryotherapy with Abass Mhar at Complemed Therapy in Altrincham and I have to say thanks to them.

“I appreciate their help in trying to speed up my recovery.

“I aim to be back out there again in 2019 and want bigger fights and challenges.

“I want to come back stronger than ever and prove again what I can do in the boxing ring.”