Louis Greene lost his Commonwealth super welterweight belt on Saturday night but the man who beat him admitted he hadn’t experienced a fight like it.

Sam Gilley became the new champion after a unanimous points decision in a thrilling contest against Strood man Greene at York Hall.

Greene was defending his title for the second time, having beaten Dean Sutherland to win the belt last November before then seeing off challenger Paul Kean in May, winning both fights by TKO.

This one went the distance, with scores of 116-111, 118-110 and 117-110 in favour of Londoner Gilley.

It was a big blow to Greene, with the contest doubling as a final eliminator for a chance to fight for the British title.

“What a fantastic fight,” said the new champion Gilley, at the end of a tough 12 rounds for both men.

“We promised it would be good and what a champion he is.

“He put his belt on the line after I called him out and he defended his title - what a legend of the sport the man is - he deserves another shot to fight for another title.

“That’s the first time in my entire boxing career that I felt my legs go - the man can punch like an absolute train. Luckily I have a good chin but I thank him for an amazing fight.”

Greene was down on his knee in the fifth round after a left hit to the body, catching his breath before the two traded blows again.

Gilley took some big shots in the seventh and the ‘Medway Mauler’ gave it his all in the final round, catching his opponent with a big right hander as both men looked for a knock-out blow right until the bell.

“It wasn’t my night,” said Greene.

“I felt like I would warm into it, I caught him with a few shots in the first round and when he came out in the second I knew from then on it was going to be a war.

“He used his brain, he got out of the way, I tried to draw him in a couple of times…well done to the boy.”