Alex Arthur was furious after losing his title on points

Alex Arthur claimed he was "robbed" of his WBO super-featherweight title following a points defeat against Nicky Cook in Manchester on Saturday.

The 30-year-old from Edinburgh insisted even Cook believed he had won the bout, which was his first title defence.

"It was three English judges - in England. A fighter knows in his heart if he has won or lost a fight and I really thought I had won," said Arthur.

"I could see the shock on some people's faces at ringside."

Cook, 28, was awarded a unanimous verdict, but Arthur believed he had the upper hand in the closing stages of the fight at Manchester's MEN Arena.

"I thought I was controlling the fight and it seemed that Nicky was running away in the last two rounds. He didn't want to fight.

"And at the end, Nicky thought I had won it. He came up to me and said, 'You're a great champion, you have won the fight. Well done.'

"So I don't feel like I lost it and I'm a wee bit shocked. Obviously, I would love a re-match. I don't think I will get one but I would love it."

Promoter Frank Warren said a re-match with Cook or a fight with Michael Gomez were possibilities for the Scot.

"Obviously, Alex isn't a happy camper at the moment but we will talk next week and see what he wants to do," he said.

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