A BREIGHTMET boxer came up short in his title fight on Sunday afternoon.

‘Big’ Ben Thomas was challenging unbeaten Chorley prospect Mark Jeffers for the Central Area super-middleweight title at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe.

The 27-year-old was looking to upset the odds and put in a fine effort before being stopped in the fourth round.

Thomas actually cut Jeffers, who has now won 11 out of 11 as a professional, around the eye with a shot in the opening round.

The Kieran Farrell-trained fighter was well in the contest but was caught with a heavy body shot in the fourth stanza and could not beat the count.

As a result, Thomas’ record now stands at two wins, two defeats and three draws.

He will likely now ply his trade in the away corner with Farrell hoping to have a TV fight lined up for him at the end of next month.

The Heywood promoter and trainer is also planning a show in Bolton in March having held a double header of both professional and amateur action in the Lion of Vienna Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium in December.

Thomas’ meeting with Jeffers was part of an M22 Promotions card put together by Manchester fight figure Joe Gallagher who trains his stable of fighters at Amir Khan’s Gloves ABC gym on Prince Street in Bolton.

One of his charges, Sale’s Sam Hyde, came up agonisingly short in his bid to win the English cruiserweight title in front of a raucous home crowd.

Londoner Deion Jumah retained his belt after a back and forth 12 rounds, edging it on the three cards with one reading 115-114 and two 115-113.

All the fights are available to watch on the M22 Promotions YouTube page.