WHILE he was disappointed with the outcome, Witham boxer Kaan Hawes says he will take only positives from his experience in fighting on the high-profile Ultimate Boxxer III show.

The 32-year-old appeared on the show, which was screened live to a national television audience by BT Sport, at the Indigo at the O2 in London on Friday night.

Having stepped up a weight division - to middleweight - to compete, Hawes battled the highly-rated Kieron Conway in the opening round of the knockout contest and lost out on a unanimous points decision after a competitive bout over three rounds.

But although he was disappointed to bow out as he did, Hawes said being involved in Ultimate Boxxer III had been a good experience.

"It was obviously disappointing to lose," he said.

"I knew going into it that it was a massive gamble for me as I'd had to step up a weight level and I was going to be a massive under dog, but I believed that I could achieve something.

"So it was a disappointing outcome, but as much as I don't like to lose, I can see it as a positive experience.

"I've had people praising my performance and I can take positives that I had a competitive fight against someone who only just missed out on a place in the GB Olympic squad.

"He's a very good fighter and I pushed him close.

"I can take something from the whole experience - working with the press and the dealing with the increased exposure that it gave me - it was all good for me.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not the sort of person who takes losing well and I'm disappointed to have lost, but on the other hand it's positive when looking at the bigger picture."

Hawes, who is a former Witham Cricket Club captain and Witham Town Football Club player, came into the competition with an unbeaten record of five wins and a draw as a professional fighter, but even though that had now gone, he had no regrets about taking on the Ultimate Boxxer challenge.

He added: "Everyone else who lost out in the first round got beaten well, but my fight was very competitive.

"He (Conway) definitely deserved the win, but it was competitive and it showed that I can box at this level.

"I've got no regrets about being involved.

"I'm not Floyd Mayweather; I know that I was never going to go through my career unbeaten, but this was an opportunity for me and it was worth putting my record on the line.

"I feel that only positive things have come off the back of it.

"I'll never be pleased with a loss, but I have to look at the bigger picture."

Following his appearance on the big stage, the Witham boxer said he now expected to have a break from the ring.

He said: "I've been very active over the last six months so I'm going to be meeting with my coaching team now and seeing where I go next.

"At the moment, I'm looking at September or October for my next fight, but I'm staying in shape and if an opportunity arises then I'll be ready."