Anto ‘The Pride’ Fitzgerald slumped to a surprising defeat at the weekend. The Dubliner, who is trying his hand as a light middleweight, lost a points decision to Yorkshire journeyman Adam Jones.

The Irishman was outscored over six rounds in the Holte Suite of Villa Park in Birmingham, with the referee’s scorecard reading 59-56 in favour of the 23 year old Englishman.

It is said by many that Fitzgerald – who has acquitted himself well against the likes of Andy Lee and Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam – fights to the level of his opponent, and this was the case against the unfancied Jones.

With the loss, 30 year old Fitzgerald’s record falls to 18(4)-8(2), while the young Englishman’s ledger improves to 5(0)-10(0).

One of the country’s most popular fighters, the inner city Dub has a massive following, and the MGM fighter will surely be back in the ring almost immediately.