Adrian Roach says he gained valuable experience from his unanimous defeat to Portuguese national champion Celesto Lima at the Fairmont Southampton at the weekend.

Roach, whose previous five amateur bouts were two-round contests, made a significant step up to face Lima in a three-round match and produced a mature display.

The Bermuda Institute pupil said he feels even more motivated after his loss to Lima, of the Don Kinguell Academy in Porto, and was looking forward to making improvements at Controversy Gym.

“I saw the WBC [World Boxing Council] patch on his shorts and I said, ‘OK, I’m up against a good opponent,” said the welterweight, who is coached by Leo Richardson.

“With him being a two-times regional and national champion, and for it to be such a good fight, shows me the level that I’m at.

“I don’t want any easy fights and this was definitely a hard fight, my hardest fight to date.

“I just want to gain some more knowledge from difficult fights and can’t wait to get back in the gym to grind it out. Maybe I can get a rematch in the future.”

Lovintz Tota also impressed during his middleweight bout on the amateur undercard in Return Fight Night.

The 34-year-old improved his record to three straight wins after dominating Portuguese Hugo Relvas, of the Don Kinguell Academy, scoring a knock-down in the final third.

Tota, who represents Just Box Ltd and Controversy Gym, was satisfied with his showing but believes there is room for improvement.

“I didn’t throw my jab as much as I would have liked,” Tota said.

“I was feeling him out as he was more experienced than me, plus I was fighting in front of my home crowd for the first time. I was pleased with my movement and showed my technical ability. He couldn’t really hit me. It was a good knock-down in round three with a straight right.”

Also on the undercard was light heavyweight Jaylon Roberts, of Forty Rego’s Gym, who lost by a unanimous decision to Ricardo Teixeira, of the Don Kinguell Academy in Porto.

Meanwhile, Kallan Simons, of Bermuda Killer Bees, beat Kaelin Cox, of the Bermuda Sanshou Association, by a unanimous decision.