Earl paid the price for going toe to toe with the hard-punching Katsidis

The Luton fighter slugged it out with the Aussie but was retired by his corner after four thrilling rounds.

"I'd pretty much made up my mind (how to tackle Katsidis) from watching his videos," Earl told BBC Three Counties.

"There were other ways of fighting him, but I have to do it my way. Obviously the public enjoyed it, and it's a pity I didn't come away with the result."

In a bruising encounter at Wembley Arena, Earl was saved by the bell at the end of round one after being floored twice in the final 30 seconds.

He was knocked down once more by a right early in the second and the towel was thrown in by his corner, only for ref Micky Vann to throw it back out.

Earl then forced Katsidis to his knees to take a count, but the Queenslander hit back in the fourth, prompting Earl's corner to retire their man.

If world champion Acelino Freitas, who has considered retirement, does not fight Katsidis within 90 days, the 24-year-old will be handed the WBO belt.

Earl had been seen as a potential opponent for Amir Khan, who needed less than a minute to knock out Mohammed Medjadi on the same bill.