Tough night in 4oz gloves against Harry Purvis

Joe Craven's bid to test himself against the best saw him move up a weight class for Hitman Fight League 5 - but the gamble didn't pay off, as Harry Purvis stopped him inside the first round.

Joe had chosen to take on a physically bigger opponent at a higher weight, in a special 4oz gloves clash, knowing the risk that came with it. He started the fight at Bowlers Exhibition Centre well - tagging his man, looking composed, feeling like he was in control.

Then came one bad moment. A misstep left him on the canvas before he'd got his bearings, and although he got back up, the stoppage followed shortly after.

Back to his best weight

It's not a result Joe will dwell on for long. He had stepped into a different kind of fight, against a bigger man and under a format that leaves very little margin for error. 

The main takeaway was clear: 77 kilos isn't his fight.

"I moved up against a much bigger lad. I started well, felt comfortable - and then got caught. I won't be doing that again. The fighters at that weight are just too big for me."

Sometimes a tough night is exactly what you need to remind you where you belong.

Afterwards, the focus was simple: get back to his natural weight, regroup, and put a proper run together.