UPSHIRE boxer Phil Gill preserved his unbeaten professional record, although he was forced to settle for a draw in his fifth fight against British Masters light-welterweight champion Youssef Al-Hamidi at the Watford Colosseum.

The 27-year-old was confident he did enough to win the bout, but the referee’s scorecard was level at the end of the four-round contest.

“He was fast and slippery and hard to nail,” said Gill afterwards. “He just ran away and messed me around. I was sure I did enough to win the fight.”

The local puncher called for a rematch immediately after the fight and insisted he is capable of defeating Al-Hamidi, who has beaten some of Britain’s finest boxers, including John Murray.

“I’ve got to get a rematch with him to prove I’m the better boxer and put the record straight,” added Gill. “I have learned a lot from the fight and know I won’t come up against many opponents as awkward as him.”