Paul Smith has missed out on claiming the WBO super-middleweight title after a controversial points loss to champion Arthur Abraham.
The Liverpudlian was the underdog going into the bout in Kiel, but he started fast to win the opening two rounds.
Abraham eased into the contest to edge ahead at the midway point but Smith, competing in his first world title fight, was competitive and stunned the 34-year-old in the ninth.
The fight was there for the taking for either man, but after a strong penultimate stanza for Smith, Abraham recovered to leave the decision to the judges.
Despite the fight potentially going either way, all three judges awarded the fight in favour of Abraham by scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 119-109.
