Little more than a week ago, Hackney’s Ian Napa was the British bantamweight champion and just one win away from a shot at the European belt.

Today things look somewhat different for him and what’s more it could be contested that he’s done little wrong while others have!

After completing twelve rounds against a determined challenger in Jamie McDonnell at Brentwood on 22nd January he stood anticipating a clear points victory but it didn’t quite turn out that way as he lost a close decision, his title and a chance at regaining his old European crown.

If that wasn’t enough punishment to ship there was another stiff jab sent forth to him when it was announced by this site on Saturday that McDonnell will now be the one having a European date with destiny.

But this little fighter has the make up of a warrior, so he isn’t about to throw in the towel. When a man has a dream until he is finally put to sleep you can rest assured every day he awakes there is still hope of that dream becoming a reality.

Now you could expect him and trainer Brian Lawrence to be bitter and wallowing in self-pity but when I spoke to them both although they were a little frustrated it was refreshing to hear two men take it on the chin while not laying down, yet still have the courage to say what they saw and felt.

This was made a little easier because they were swarmed by phone calls and messages all reconfirming their beliefs (and mine) that Napa had won.

First out of the corner was trainer Brian Lawrence and he is not a man to mince his words. “This is how boxing is, I had Ian four or five rounds up.”

Brian’s main point of contention was surprisingly with Ian John-Lewis who had scored the bout 115-114 for McDonnell and not with Dave Parris who was obviously watching a landslide victory for Jamie with a 117-112 total.

“Napa has been on the end of several dubious decisions from Lewis.” I probed Lawrence as to why this may be the case. “He (Lewis) was a journeyman himself and maybe doesn’t like to see certain styles in fighters, judges have issues with somebody.”

And what when they see Lewis at fights?

“We have no problem with him and talk if we see him at shows.”

Two of the judges saw the fight differently to me, Lawrence and Napa but Lawrence said that the British Boxing Board of Control Inspectors in attendance thought Napa had won.

Napa himself was in good spirits despite the setback and laughing during our conversation even though he thought it was his hands that should have been raised.

“I know if I’ve lost a fight, but I know I won. I don’t know what I have got to do.”

Did McDonnell have the eyes of a winner, Ian?

“I don’t think he thought he had won by the look on his face.”

What was Napa thinking when it was announced “we have a split decision?”

“Oh no here we go.” And on the Parris score itself Ian was shocked. “I don’t know what he was watching. I really thought I was comfortable.”

I think it’s a fair decision for Napa to call it this way but he’s got no bad blood towards McDonnell.

“We took pictures together in the dressing room afterwards.”

So what’s been going on since that fateful night?

Ian has now just enjoyed his week off in which he finds it hard not to get running during it!

He said it’s a road he’s been down before and the key is to stay positive and disciplined.

I admire his stance and look forward to seeing him get another title shot soon.

The judges like the Police have a tough job. And people at the top do make mistakes. We can’t expect perfection all the time but I would like Dave Parris to watch the fight again and give an honest post-fight assessment even if it differs from his original verdict.

We humans, when upset at someone like to hear them say “I was wrong. I am sorry.”

But what can you do if they don’t think they are?

Just like Napa keep on fighting. And keep on coming back.

There’s nothing anyone can do about that.