Blackpool boxer Jack Arnfield accepts blame for title defeat
Arnfield, the mandatory challenger for Langford’s Lonsdale belt, was beaten on points on the undercard of George Groves’ World Boxing Super Series semi-final win against Chris Eubank Jr.
The 28-year-old, who has now won 25 out of his 28 fights, admits he was “outworked” by Langford, with the judges scoring the bout 116-113, 116-113, 117-113.
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Hide Ad“It wasn’t a bad decision by the judges at all. They were right,” Arnfield told The Gazette.
“It was a close fight but at the end I definitely thought Tommy had done more to win it.
“I felt great, before the fight the camp was absolutely bang on, preparation was good but I just didn’t execute the game plan.
“It just wasn’t my night. I didn’t feel 100 per cent on the night, I didn’t feel great but it’s nobody else’s fault but my own.
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Hide Ad“Tommy let his shots go so I should have been busier. During the exchanges he always threw more shots.
“I think my shots were more effective and I landed the cleaner work, but he outworked me and he was busier.
“He came on stronger at the end of the fight as well.
“I wouldn’t say he was better than I thought he was going to be, I just don’t think I performed great. I underperformed a bit, that’s the top and bottom of it.”
Despite the disappointing defeat, the second time Arnfield (left) has lost a British title fight, Arnfield wants a quick turnaround for his next fight.
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Hide AdHe added: “I’m not sure what’s next, so I just intend to take this week to relax and I’ll speak to my manager at the end of the week.
“I’m hoping to get back out within the next eight or nine weeks.
“I’ll get straight back in the gym and hopefully get straight back out there.
“It’s massive that I get straight back out there. Apart from a niggling shoulder injury, I haven’t got any other injury problems.
“I might have my shoulder looked at, because it’s something that I’ve had for years, but hopefully it’s nothing major.
“I want to get straight back into the mix and get back into some big fights.”