Tiverton Boxing Club’s Zack Jones suffered a surprised defeat as he warmed up for his national ABA schoolboy semi-final.

Jones travelled to Bristol to box Downend ABC’s Owen Piret at Filton College on Sunday afternoon.

He put in a tremendous performance but lost on a very tight majority decision.

In the first round Piret came out trying to catch Jones cold but the Tiverton boxer put in a very solid performance, using a tight guard and throwing lighting fast combinations to the head and body.

Jones was bossing the bout from the centre of the ring, forcing Piret to work for every second of the round.

In the second Jones again dictated from the centre of the ring, throwing text-book straight lefts straight down the middle from his southpaw stance.

In the third Jones started to force the pace, pushing Piret back while throwing combinations to the head and body.

At the bell both boxers had given their all and Tiverton coach Paul Harvey was sure his charge was going to take the verdict. But the decision went the way of Piret to leave Harvey flabbergasted.

Harvey said: “I couldn’t believe it. Zack boxed brilliantly. He put in a really mature performance and for him to lose on a points decision is unbelievable.”

Jones will be hoping for better luck in his ABA bout against Epsom and Ewell’s Neville Smith in London on Saturday.