WORCESTERSHIRE cruiserweight Rob Norton is to appeal to the British Boxing Board of Control over his controversial split-decision defeat to Leon Williams.

The 39-year-old southpaw was hoping to retain his British title for the third time and so secure his Lonsdale belt when he took on the Londoner at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Although the 12-round contest failed to ignite, the Kidderminster-based fighter had appeared to have done enough to win.

However, ringside judges Richie Davies (114-116) and Ian John-Lewis (113-116) both scored the bout in favour of Williams, while John Keane gave Norton the nod (115-114).

“It was a shocking decision,” said PJ Rowson of Norton’s management team. “We haven’t found a single person who thou-ght Williams had won.

“Experienced boxing pundits Steve Bunce and Steve Lillis were saying that Rob had won 10 of the 12 rounds.

“We know it wasn’t the greatest of fights but the fact remains everyone thought Rob had retained his title.

“So we have now lodged a complaint with the board and they will look into the bout at their meeting next month.”

Norton’s fight with Williams was his first outing in 21 months following a draw with Sunderland’s David Dolan. He looked to counter-punch Williams in the early rounds, building what ap-peared to be an unassailable lead.

The London-based boxer did come into the fight in the later stages but it appeared he had left his surge too late.

“Rob took the decision very gracefully,” Rowson added. “He wasn’t angry or nasty, he just said, ‘I knew they wanted me out, but didn’t realise how badly.’”

The boxing board will now review the judges’ cards for any inconsistencies and they could order an immediate rematch.