Louie O'Doherty Says He Should have Lost his Fight Against Michael Gomez Jnr

How rare and refreshing it is to hear a boxer tell the fans that he didn't deserve to retain his titles. In an Instagram clip, Louie O'Doherty said he has to be honest and admit that Gomez Jnr was the better man on Saturday night. 

That was the impression of nearly everyone who'd watched the pair going toe-to-toe for 12 hard rounds at London's O2 Arena. Unfortunately, the high quality of the fight was completely overshadowed by the judges' scorecards, which allowed Louie to hang onto his titles by virtue of a draw.

Among many going online to voice their dismay over the decision was Tyson Fury. He said a boxer couldn't trust the judges, and needed to take matters out of their hands by scoring a knockout.

One can't help but think he was partly talking about himself. Fury has never accepted that Oleksandr Usyk beat him fair and square, and never misses an opportunity to claim the judges did the Ukrainian a favour in both of their fights.

O'Doherty said Gomez Jnr should have won the fight by 8 rounds to 4. As noble as this admission was, the Essex native must realise that every person who saw the fight thinks Gomez was robbed. If he said otherwise, he would risk making himself a hate figure.

He must also realise that whatever he admits, it won't change the fact that the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles remain in his possession.

But I don't want to be cynical. It is almost unheard of for a boxer to claim that he should have lost. The only other example I can think of is when Richie Woodhall defended his WBC Super Middleweight title against Glen Catley in 1998. Woodhall was a big favourite, but Catley hadn't read the script, and hurt Woodhall early on. Richie couldn't get his normally excellent jab going and was out-punched for much of the contest.

After the verdict went Woodhall's way, he sat looking ashamed and dejected at ringside. He pointed to his championship belt and said it belonged around Catley's waist, not his.

Woodhall was always considered a gentleman, and that moment of sportsmanship enhanced his reputation and made him even more popular.

I suspect O'Doherty will get a similar reaction from the fans. His words may also be of some comfort to Michael Gomez Jnr, who was utterly distraught at the end of their match. He was even talking about walking away from boxing.

I expect, after some time away with his young family, the Manchester scrapper will reconsider. If he does, a rematch with O'Doherty would be the natural fight to make. Once, it's over, I wouldn't be surprised if both of them became good friends.

Unless of course we get another robbery.