ESSEX University boxer Jamie Hercus surrendered his unbeaten record after suffering a frustrating defeat to Artur Tomasevic, at Felixstowe.

The national development champion lost out to the Peterborough Police boys boxer, in a bout he might have won comfortably.

Hercus boxed three kilogrammes up from his fighting weight, at 83/4 kilogrammes.

But this was not evident in the face up in the middle of the ring, as he took control of the bout from the opening bell.

A solid left jab found the target, followed by a fast right-left combination before moving out of distance.

Tomasevic was more than equal to the task, coming back with his own left combinations but seemed an ideal opponent for the Essex University boxer by standing just in front of him.

It was a good opening round for Hercus, who showed he was up for the task.

But things appeared to fall apart for Hercus in the second round, when the Peterborough boxer pushed forward and started to land at will.

Much to the disappointment of Essex University coach Gordon Charlesworth, Hercus surprisingly just dropped his hands and shook his head as if to say he was not hurt.

Hercus was read the riot act when he returned to the corner after giving away and undoing all of the hard work he had done in the first round.

Going out for the third round, Hercus tore into his opponent but was met by a boxer who now believed he could win and keep his unbeaten record intact.

A hard final round ensued for both boxers but it was Tomasevic's relentless push that took the verdict and resulted in a first defeat for Hercus, for whom victory was well within his capabilities.