BLACKROD boxer Rick Godding's hopes of claiming a British title were ended at Wembley Arena on Friday night.

Despite taking local favourite Gary Corcoran the full 10 rounds in an eliminator bout, the previously unbeaten 30-year-old eventually lost on points to his 24-year-old opponent.

Wembley-born Corcoron was awarded cards of 97-93, 99-91, 99-92 in a closely-fought encounter in which both fighters ended the contest with cuts.

Godding, who had extended his unbeaten professional record to 22 fights earlier this month following a points victory against Doncaster's Adam Jones at Preston's Guild Hall, was the underdog for the light middleweight fight having had just three weeks to train for the event.

Corcoron, who now has a perfect 13-0 winning record, was due to go head-to-head with Joe Selkirk.

But when the Liverpool fighter was forced to pull out, the organisers turned to Godding.

The Bolton boxer, who has had just two fights since returning from a two-year absence with a shoulder injury, weighed in at one pound under the 11-stone weight limit on Thursday.

And despite a great effort, Corcoran's work rate eventually saw him through. He will now fight it out against current champion Liam Smith for the British title