MIDLAND champion Michael Pardoe suffered a controversial defeat as Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club a night of thrilling action.

Pardoe was pipped by County Durham’s Thomas Whitfield in the fight of the night at the town’s Leisure Centre, in an event organised to raise cash for the club’s new gym.

Despite giving away a significant height advantage, Pardoe forced the pace getting in close and landing some solid hooks and uppercuts.

Whitfield was repeatedly cautioned for holding and in the latter stages of the third round did he land with clean punches of his own.

So it came as a surprise when Whitfield took the majority points decision.

Birtley light-middleweight Grant Crooks got a split decision after a cracking contest with Aaron Beckford, which many thought Beckford had done more than enough to win.

Another top clash was the women’s bout between Droitwich’s Beth Trueman and Sue Lee (Oxford University).

Both boxed with skill and aggression and Trueman deservedly took the decision.

Droitwich fighters scored a double over Portsmouth.

Light-welterweight Scott Kirby was in good form as he stormed to a points win over Craig Gofford, while cruiserweight Gez Vessey stopped Carl Evans in the third round.

There were also good wins for brothers Harry and George Butler.

Fifteen-year-old Harry found Kirkby’s Jordan Cameron a tough opponent but held out to win a close contest.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old George looked full of promise as he comprehensively outpointed Wednesbury’s Lewis Green.

There was disappointment for Mikey O’Toole as he dropped a split decision to Declan Millward.

Thirteen-year-old Luke Evans got back to winning ways as he outpointed Newbury’s Jake Kingham, although light-welterweight Frankie Butler failed to make it a double when he lost a split decision to Chris Haines.

Droitwich fighters Will Jones, Callum Underwood and Sam Clegg all lost on points while Shawn Hewlett was stopped in the third round of his fight.

Club coach and secretary Chris Andrews revealed the evening had raised around £3,000.

He said: “The turnout and support of the crowd was great and the generosity of sponsors was tremendous.”