Bermondsey’s Chris Kongo suffers narrow points loss to Ekow Essuman

Chris Kongo lost a narrow majority decision to Ekow Essuman in a compelling welterweight clash that had four belts on the line.

The Bermondsey fighter clearly felt he had done enough before the scorecards were read out.

But Essuman retained his British, Commonwealth and IBF European titles with Kongo’s WBC International Silver strap also on the line.

One judge, Phil Edwards, marked it a draw 114-114. Victor Loughlin had Kongo losing by one round, 115-114, while Michael Alexander had it a wider 116-113.

Essuman came on stronger down the straight and that finish looked to have swung the contest in his favour.

“The experience of having those other fights, those 12-rounders and really hard fights where I had to dig deep, it helps,” said the victor. “The proof is in the pudding.

“As you come through the ranks, people can look down on you. You’ve just got to keep beating who is in front of you, even when the stats or odds are against you. You’ve just got to keep pushing.

“It’s about what you can do when you’re tired. My [nick]name is ‘The Engine’.”

PICTURES: BOXXER/LAWRENCE LUSTIG