Oxford Boxing Academy heavyweight Peter Buchta was left astonished after losing his ABA novice final at London's York Hall.

The 20-year-old Polish boxer lost by an 8-3 points decision to Royal Marine rival Joe Harvey.

But he had dominated the encounter and had rattled Harvey with solid right hooks on several occasions.

"I just couldn't believe it when they announced the verdict, his lips were cut and there was blood coming from his mouth," said Buchta.

The heavyweight had every reason to feel angry as he had the better guard and landed the stronger punches in the four-round contest.

One London newspaper reporter wrote: "I was bemused with the 91k Class B result as the Navy's Joe Harvey didn't appear to land a telling punch in any of the rounds I saw!

"Buchta was equally evasive but did at least push Harvey to the ropes and catch him with some winning combinations."

Although dejected for not producing another national champion, head coach Faz Keyani said: "Peter has been working very hard for this championship, but he is young and he will bounce back.

"I personally am a bit fed up with the erratic scoring in amateur boxing.

"I sometimes feel that when in London, with London judges, my boxers have to knock their opponents out, just to get a draw!"