Morecambe boxer Reece MacMillan beaten in brave British and Commonwealth Title tilt

Morecambe's Reece MacMillan fought his heart out but was beaten in his shot at the British and Commonwealth Titles.

MacMillan lost when his trainer Bob Howard threw the towel in to rescue his man from more punishment from the exceptional champion Jack Rafferty.

Reece was aiming to become the first boxer born in the Lancaster and Morecambe District to win a British professional boxing title.

But the undefeated British and Commonwealth Super Lightweight Champion Rafferty showed why he is highly touted, winning after seven absorbing rounds at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.

MacMillan was coming into the bout off a career best performance in winning the Central Area Super Lightweight Title in November against Kane Gardner.

But although he was an elusive target at times, showing excellent upper body movement to evade many of Rafferty's punches, the tall Mancunian was always in control.

The champion used his height advantage to good effect, landing his left jab and snapping the Morecambe man's head back at times with straight shots.

Reece, though, had his moments in the fight, particularly in Round 4 when he closed the distance and let his hands go to land hooks. 

But Rafferty adjusted well, regaining control in Round 5 and never relinquished it.

The champion eventually landed two booming right handers to the jaw in the seventh, forcing MacMillan back, and Howard made the compassionate call to halt the fight with his man still on his feet.

Rafferty moves to 25 consecutive wins, in a fight that was also for the WBC International Title. 

Reece's career record is now 17 wins from 19 bouts.

MacMillan was cheered on by a large contingent of local fans, including from the Coastal gym in Morecambe where he trains.

The fight aired live on TNT Sports on the undercard of a heavyweight contest between Britain's Derek Chisora and Otto Wallin from Sweden.

Also on the bill, Lancaster boxer Walter Fury stayed undefeated in his pro career with an impressive points win over Joe Hardy. 

Walter, cheered on at ringside by his cousin Tyson Fury - the former world heavyweight champion from Morecambe - won 40-37 on the referee's card after the four round bout.

Fury, 27, moved to three wins in three pro fights.