Chorley boxer Michael Jennings is looking to quickly bounce back after losing the welterweight title fight against Miguel Cotto last month.
The 31-year old was knocked to the floor three times during the 15 minute fight before it was stopped in the fifth round at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Jennings said: "I am gutted but I was a massive underdog going out there, I thought I was capable but obviously I wasn't. I trained really hard with my coach, Brian Hughes,and both of us thought I had a good chance of winning but it wasn't meant to be."
The boxer added he had never previously fought outside the UK before or for a world title, while Cotto was in his 14th world title bout.
Jennings added: "Cotto is an amazing fighter but when the referee called time after the second body shot I could have carried on. I was in shock but I wasn't tired, I could've done 12 rounds easy.I had fully recovered by the time I was out of the ring. I would've loved to carry on, but obviuosly you have to listen to the ref."
And Jennings was full of praise for his opponent after the fight.
He said: "Cotto was such a respectable guy in and out of the ring. He wasn't a big mouth or anything he was really down to earth. He was quite similar to me in that sense. It's a job at the end of the day, you have to treat it like that."
Jennings had 200 fans supporting him in New York but revealed that he also had a few famous faces showing him their support.
WBA welterweight champion Ricky Hatton sent Jennings a good luck message as well as Manchester musician Ian Brown. The former Stone Roses front man sent the boxer a text message wishing him well before the big fight. Jennings said: "He texts me quite alot saying good luck and things, it means alot to me because I'm a big fan of his."
Jennings is now looking forward to his next move. He said: "The next step is the British or European title. I know there are rumours about me fighting Kell Brook. I would say I'm the best boxer in the country at this level,but he has the belt, it would be a good fight."
Shefield boxer kell Brook is the current holder of the British welterweight title. The 22-year old is one of British boxing's brightest prospects. Speaking before the Jennings-Cotto fight, Brook said: "Jennings is the fight I want and alot of the public want."
Unbeaten Brook who has 18 wins with 11 knockouts under his belt added: "Jennings is a very talented boxer and he might end up snatching the title of Cotto. If that happens I'll be knocking on his agents door asking to put me up against Jennings and I think I could win the fight. It's the one everyone wants to see."
Although the outcome of the Jennings - Cotto fight didn't go as Brook predicted, the Jennings-Brook fight is still looking likely to take place.
Jennings is already looking forward to getting back in the ring after admitting he isn't much of an armchair sports fan. He said: "I don't really like watching sport just doing it. I know that must sound strange but it's just the way I am. I've got a pet dog called Pat, she's a Lurcher, which is where my nickname, Chorley lurcher came from. I love walking her it relaxes me."
Outside the ring, music is a big part of Jennings' life and he drums in a punk band called The Shoks."My band is really important to me. There are five of us and we play the pub Circuit around the North West. I'm currently trying to organise the Battle of the Bands competition in Preston."
The band took a break from giging over the last few months as a mark of respect for their bassist Neil Hardy, who died last year after being hit by a car. Jennings said: "When I lost my best friend from the band, Neil, it made me want to make the band succeed even more."
Jennings is the second youngest of eight children but tragically has lost two of his brothers. He was just five when his brother Stephen died of leukemia at the age of 19. His older brother Raymond, died eight years ago from heroin addiction.
The father of two now does all he can to support the charities that helped his two brothers.
He said: "I do alot of charity work and want to do all I can to raise awareness. That's something that is very important to me."
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