Tony Bellew has hinted that he could move up to cruiserweight after failing in his bid to capture the WBC light heavyweight title.
The Liverpool fighter was stopped in the sixth round by 36-year-old champion Adonis Stevenson in Quebec.
His only other loss was also in a world-title fight against Nathan Cleverly in 2011, and with the Welshman now campaigning at 200lbs, Bellew feels that it might be time for him to follow suit.
"It wasn't supposed to be," Bellew told Sky Sports News.
"Maybe it's time for me to jump up in weight now. Someone else has recently jumped up in weight and it might be time for me to do it."
He added: "I'm at the pinnacle of the sport. I've gone in with the premier fighter in the division and good luck to him, he came out on top tonight, it wasn't my night."
The 31-year-old, whose record now stands at 20-2-1, apologised to the fans who travelled to Canada on Twitter after the fight.
"I'd like to apologise to everyone for not doing what I said I would do! I gave it everything and the better man won and that's it. Gutted," he posted.
"The fans who travelled, I'll be forever in your debt I'm truly shocked.. Like I said the better man won, no excuses. Thanks again for support."
Cleverly moved up to cruiser after losing his WBO strap to Sergey Kovalev in devastating fashion in August.
