THE wait for a Barrovian to hold the Londsale belt goes on after Liam Conroy’s valiant but ultimately unsuccessful challenge for the British light-heavyweight title against Joshua Buatsi on Saturday evening.

Conroy, who was already the first boxer from the town to earn a shot at one of the most iconic prizes in British sport, more than held his own for the first two rounds against the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist.

But, as he has done with so many of his previous nine professional opponents, Croydon’s Buatsi – roared on by a partisan crowd at London’s Copper Box Arena – unleashed a barrage of punches in the third which saw Conroy knocked down twice and referee Phil Edwards wave off the contest.

The first of those came just after the 26-year-old BAE Systems worker had rocked Buatsi with a couple of firm shots of his own – only for Buatsi to reply with a right hook which set up the flurry which sent the Barrow man down.

Conroy rose to answer the eight-count, but when a gap in his defence appeared for the briefest of brief moments, Buatsi took advantage and landed a devastating right.

Again, Conroy gamely got to his feet for the count of eight, but Preston official Edwards had little hesitation in stopping the bout at 1min 53secs despite Conroy insisting he was able to continue.

“I was boxing to the game-plan and then I got caught,” said Conroy. “I didn’t think I was hurt too badly at the time, but he was relentless with his pressure and got the job done.

“I was trying to frustrate him and I think it was working because he was banging on his chest in the first round.

“I was looking to take him into deep water, but he’s a strong kid and he got me.”

Conroy left his unbeaten opponent perplexed at times in the first, keeping his distance and skilfully evading some big swings. He also bettered Buatsi’s three previous opponents, who had all been put away inside one round.

It was a similar story in the second, although Buatsi began to find his range towards the end of the round and sprung into action after being caught in the third, with the end soon following.

Conroy praised his opponent and is eager to earn another crack at the title after some quality time with his partner and baby son.

“I came in thinking he hadn’t proven he’s the real deal to me, but if he stops me like he has everyone else then I’ll accept he’s the real deal – and he did,” said Conroy.

“It’s been an enjoyable experience, and I’m hoping I can get back to this level again and rebuild.

“I’m just going to have some family time with Melissa and Rory, tick over and see what MTK want to do after that.”

Conroy’s efforts were hailed by his supporters, who gave him an ovation as he left the area, and he thanked them, his sponsors and social media well-wishers.

“I couldn’t do it without the support and it means so much to me,” said Conroy.