SALE fight favourite Sam Hyde came within a whisker of winning the English cruiserweight title after a thriller with Deion Jumah.

Roared on by a vocal home crowd, the 26-year-old was edged out on points by the defending champion after a back and forth 12 rounds at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe.

Londoner Jumah got the verdict on the cards with one reading 115-114 and two 115-113, the crowd having been treated to a pulsating contest.

“A tough pill to swallow after a 12 round war,” Hyde posted on social media.

“I thought I might of got it, it could of gone either way, but that way wasn’t mine.

“I have been in training camp straight through from August.

“Now it’s time to recover, relax and sit with my family and team. Thank you for the support.”

The fight, that also acted as a British title eliminator, saw Hyde taste defeat for the second time as a professional in 18 fights.

His only other loss came in a brave effort against Richard Riakporhe at the Manchester Arena in November 2018. 

Jumah has now won all 13 of his fights. 

All the action is available to watch on the M22 Promotions YouTube page. the promotional outfit of Hyde’s trainer, well-respected Manchester fight figure Joe Gallagher.

Also on the card, Chorley’s Mark Jeffers stopped Bolton’s Ben Thomas in the fourth round of their contest for the Central Area super middleweight title.