Wolvercote light heavyweight Vince Sessegnon lost in the quarter-finals of this year's ABA senior championships, but gained a lot of friends from the knowledgeable boxing audience at the Liverpool Olympia.

The Home Counties champion bowed out to local prospect Joey Ainscough, having battled all the way to the bell before losing on points.

Sessegnon refused to be intimidated by the credentials of his more seasoned opponent and made his Merseyside rival often lose his composure, prompting a public warning for holding in the dying stages of this encounter.

"Although I lost, this season has been a very positive one," said Sessegnon.

"Reaching the last eight in the country is a terrific achievement and I can only learn from this kind of experience."

Fellow Wolvercote quarter-finalist Paul Stedman had to withdraw from his welterweight bout after picking up a chest infection.

The dreaded 'flu bug also claimed a second Oxfordshire contender in Thame bantamweight George Buckland, who was withdrawn by his coach Peter Garnish following medical advice.