Ryan Walsh suffered the first defeat of his career on Saturday night when he was beaten on points by Lee Selby at London's 02 Arena.

The Cromer fighter rattled the champion on several occasions and started and finished the fight well, but by his own admission lost valuable points during the middle stages, with the judges awarding it to the Welshman 118-112, 118-110 and 117-111.

Walsh made enough of an impression, though, to suggest that, if Selby, as expected, relinquishes his titles to step up to the world stage, he will be in line for the first shot.

'He did Norfolk proud,' said trainer Graham Everett. 'Selby knows he was in a battle, but he is a top class boxer.'