SHATTERED Irvine boxer Ryan Collins admits to being "gutted" at failing to win a major title at the third time of asking.

However he plans to return to the ring despite out to to Glasgow fighter Ahmed Ibrahim in the Celtic Lightweight title fight at the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley on Saturday night.

And it was a hollow victory for his opponent, who only won the contest, but not the title after he failed to make the weight.

The contest was stopped two seconds into the fifth round of what was shaping up to be a riveting contest, owing to an eye injury suffered by Collins. It comes after his two previous attempts to win the title came unstuck following an accidental clash of heads on each occasion with former Commonwealth Games champion Charlie Flynn. Those contests ended in technical draws.

Collins said: "I felt I was winning the fight and had myself 38-36 ahead at the time it was stopped. There's no serious damage to my eyes or face so all is good. I also just watched the fight back there and felt. Massive thanks to the team as always and fans paying good doe to come and support me and it means the world, win lose or draw they've always got that bus jumping on the way back.

"For now it's about rest and recovery from the injuries and I'm sure we'll bounce right back. I have no plans to retire from the ring yet.

"I felt Ibrahim was disrespectful for not making the weight and that was disappointing. But I'm gutted with how it went after the two Charlie Flynn fights."

Trainer Colin Belshaw could still take positives from the defeat and said: "To me Ryan was boxing exactly how I wanted. But when something like that happens there is nothing you can really do. His eye was half shut from the the third round. I felt he picked up most of the early rounds and I couldn't be happier with how he boxed, he stuck to the game plan but his eye swelled up really badly.

"For me this doesn't feel like a defeat, he was boxing well but was not outclassed at that level. He held his shape really well. Ryan was professional and he made the weight but the other guy didn't. You can't risk anything, there's more to life than boxing.

Ryan has not had the best of luck. I expect that will be him until the New Year but we don't want him to go away from the gym for too long but stay in shape."