Hometown hero Martin Rogan lost his Commonwealth heavyweight title to Englishman Sam Sexton in highly controversial circumstances with an eighth-round stoppage due to a badly swollen left eye.
Rogan won the British Empire belt with a thrilling 11th-round technical knockout of Matt Skelton in February.
Skelton was also European champion at the time but with the belt not on the line, Rogan was yet to challenge for the Continental title.
However, the 38-year-old Belfast man is now a world away from that opportunity after tonight's devastating loss.
While Rogan had looked to land big rights throughout - and managed that on several occasions - Sexton was content to try to box and move.
Sexton shook off several hurtful shots while gradually working Rogan over and in the middle rounds the unbeaten Belfast man's left eye was nearly closed.
Referee Dave Parris called for the doctor to inspect the injury on several occasions but let the fight continue.
Early in the eighth round Sexton looked out on his feet after soaking up sustained pressure but after being given chance to recover when his gumshield fell out, the fight turned decisively when the doctor ultimately ruled Rogan was unfit to continue.
While the decision was the right one, it was met with passionate disapproval by the partisan Belfast crowd.
