Mark Snipe was hailed a hero despite suffering a defeat in his first fight for more than two years.

The Portslade boxer lost to unbeaten Alan Foster (Northampton) on a show at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Tuesday.

However, the circumstances of defeat left Snipe with much to smile about.

He took the bout at 24 hours' notice, he had not fought since early 1999, he stepped down a division to super-middleweight and he had to boxed after driving back from a weekend in Cornwall where he had been partying for two days.

Despite this, Snipe took Foster the distance in a six-rounder, which was broadcast live on Eurosport, before losing a close points decision.

Snipe, 29, said: "I could have won the fight. Being out of the ring for so long and taking it at short notice, I was just a bit fatigued and ring rusty.

"I started getting better in rounds three, four and five but he had already done enough.

"People said I looked good but I could not keep it up."

Snipe, a natural light-heavyweight, lost only one of his first seven contests but quit boxing in 1999 with a record of three defeats in nine pro bouts. He now hopes to get back in the ring soon.