Wolvercote middleweight Chris Woods delivered the performance of his life against Bristol's Dan Guthrie before seeing his hopes of progressing on the ABA title trail dashed by a controversial decision.

Rather than enter the Home Counties draw alongside clubmate Steve Mullins, the 27-year-old Oxford man opted to take the Western Counties route.

Woods, boxing for Wolvercote's sister club, Penhill, kept close in to prevent his Somerset opponent, rated in England's top four, from capitalising on his height and reach advantage.

From the first bell, the Oxford boxer attacked his rival's midriff with both fists.

"I felt I had done more than enough to win and I'm very disappointed with the result," said Woods.

"I don't know how the judges saw it, but I'm convinced I landed more shots on target."

Two other Wolvercote fighters have star billing on Friday's dinner show at the Langdale Hall, Witney, where three Home Counties ABA finals provide the highlight.

Light welterweight Paul Stedman takes on Duane Phillips (Luton Shamrock) and middleweight Steve Mullins is matched against Cheshunt's Terry Sullivan.

Wolvercote coach Faz Keyani said: "Paul has looked good in the gym and is probably in the best condition he has ever been.

"Steve is much more experienced than Terry Sullivan and that should be the telling factor."

Wolvercote bantamweight Lawrence Lewis, who reached the national finals last season, has been handed a walkover into the next round.