His quest to become Barrow’s first-ever British boxing champion may have ended in defeat last Saturday, but Liam Conroy’s bravery in the ring meant he has kept the support of someone who has followed his fortunes from afar.

Mick Hills, who is from Glenwood Springs in Colorado, USA, wrote: “A few things were proven on Saturday night at the Liam Conroy v Joshua Buatsi fight in London. Firstly, Barrow’s own Conroy was not out of his depth at British title level.

"I strongly feel that within 12 months Liam can become Barrow’s first British boxing champion.

"He’d been out of the ring for 12 months, yet he still looked impressive in there and was catching one of the world’s leading prospects with classy and hard punches.

“Secondly, Buatsi was classy both inside the ring and outside the ring. Buatsi was caught by some solid shots yet kept to his game plan and pulled out his best win yet. Moreover, he was so respectful towards Liam Conroy that he’s earned a fan in me.

“Thirdly, Liam’s Colorado fan club like him even more.”