NAMBUCCA Heads' Mitchell 'White Lion' Whitelaw was clear, sharp, focussed and furious - and now frustrated after failing to claim the vacant Australian light heavyweight professional boxing belt in Brisbane on Friday night.
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Mitchell cut his opponent, another rising star in Conor Wallace, in the fourth round of their scheduled 10-round bout.
But a round later, the referee under the doctor's orders, stopped the contest after he deemed Conor could not continue with the injury.
The Brisbanite was then awarded the title as he led three rounds to two at the stoppage.
Mitchell told the Guardian he was a "little bit disheartened" by the contentious call - after working so hard for the shot at the national crown.
"I opened him up with a left hook in the fourth but he (Conor) said he was all right to continue," Mitchell said.
"In the fifth the ref said he was ruling that the cut had come about through a head clash, so then it went to points.
"In that fifth round I probably only threw two rights. I was just throwing lefts to open up that cut."
While Mitchell and his camp were stunned by the decision, the youngster said his preparation and game day preparation had been meticulous.
"Sparra (his trainer Ian Stapleton) said he was surprised to see me so pumped as I'm normally just calm and smiling before a fight. I actually just felt so wonderful," Mitchell said.
Fans on social media were praising both fighters, and calling for a rematch.
Friday night's stoush in Fortitude Valley was the second time they have squared off, with Conor getting the decision in their first outing when Mitchell concedes he was underdone.
A southpaw, Conor has held the Irish title multiple times and his earlier claim to fame is that he was a sparring partner for Conor McGregor in the lead to the Floyd Mayweather super fight.
Already regathered, Mitchell is now charting further dates before 2019 is dusted.
"I will definitely have another fight this year, and I'd like that to be two," he said.
On his Facebook page, Mitchell posted a photo of his shorts splattered with Conor's blood - and asked how on earth was he not now the Australian champion.
Mitchell-Conor Instalment III - if it comes - should be a beauty.
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