BLACKWOOD’S Craig Evans enhanced his reputation at the O2 Arena in a tear-up British title fight, but still reflected to Argus Sport that the experience had left him “absolutely gutted.”

The talented St Joes fighter lost his unbeaten record as he was defeated on points against Scott Cardle, though few will argue Evans made a mistake in gambling by going up a weight for his opportunity.

This was a career enhancing performance, Evans and Cardle producing a similar scrap to the bouts between Gavin Rees and Gary Buckland, with both the live and television audience making their satisfaction clear. Evans will suffer from defeat no more than Buckland did in being defeated by Rees.

I’m sure the message from Evans’ promoter Frank Warren will be nothing other than ‘good job kid, let’s get you back out there’ as Evans’ reputation begins to catch up with his talent, making him a more desirable opponent, rather than one of the most ducked fighters in British boxing.

Evans couldn’t have been further from being the house fighter – I don’t need to tell you Matchroom and BoxNation aren’t the easiest of bedfellows - and he paid the price for a slow start, Cardle doing more in the opening three sessions as Evans was constantly badgered by referee Michael Alexander.

When I asked Evans post fight if he felt the referee had penalised him too much, he agreed, before catching himself and saying (entirely earnestly) that he’d give the ref 10/10. He’s that kind of guy.

Evans was looking to clinch too much – one incident in the third stanza saw Cardle hold him in the air and keep the pose, like he was waiting for Craig Revel Horwood to judge the move.

Cardle began to slow down from the fifth or sixth round and that allowed Evans to hold the centre of the ring and begin jabbing effectively and showboating a little, though by this stage he was suffering from a cut from a head clash, opened up further in the eighth round.

However, that was followed by an errant elbow opening a horrible gash above Cardle’s eye and Evans took advantage, wining rounds nine, ten and eleven as we looked set for a close finish.

He didn’t do enough in the final session, the physical advantage of Cardle – he’s a former welterweight, Evans is more naturally at super feather – proving decisive, though the judges scorecards seemed a little harsh, all having Cardle by four.

“I thought I had it,” said Evans, who acknowledged he had started too slow in his first 12 round contest.

“I knew it was close. He’s a good fighter. I know I have done my reputation no harm at all, but I do feel absolutely gutted. I’ve got to be honest.

“I wanted to pace myself, but I’ve never been 12 rounds before and looking back, I left too much in the locker in the early rounds. It’s all experience, I’d only ever done ten rounds once.

“In the back of my head, I thought ‘save a bit.’

“I was on top in the middle rounds, but he pinched the last round. It’s life. I was the away fighter and I’ll take great belief from it, I’ve done my career no harm.

“But losing my undefeated status is devastating, but I promise, Craig Evans will come again.”