Jack Smith says he is gutted after losing a second professional fight.

The Chatteris fighter was knocked out by Britain’s shortest boxer, Reiss Taylor, in the second round of their four-round clash at the York Hall on Saturday.

Smith started the fight well but found it hard to land any meaningful punches on Taylor, who stands at an awkward four feet and 11 inches.

Super flyweight Smith connected with a crushing hook in the second but was sent to the canvas later that round courtesy of a huge overhand left from Taylor.

“I didn’t get the result I wanted, purely down to me not following Steve’s (Whitwell, trainer) instructions,” he said.

“I felt I would have won comfortably if the fight went on but I got caught with a silly shot.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Steve for always looking after me and for all the hours he put into me in the gym and on the track and for getting me in the best shape I’ve ever been in.

“He genuinely doesn’t get enough credit for what he does and I’m gutted to let him down.”

Smith, whose paid record now stands at one win and two defeats, says he’ll now look to regroup and come back stronger in 2018.

“I’d like to thank everyone who bought a ticket and spent their money just before Christmas to come and watch me. I really do appreciate it,” he said,

“For now, I’m just gutted with what happened but it happens in the sport. I’m now going to take some time out to enjoy Christmas as New Year.”

Jack’s coach, Steve Whitwell, insists Saturday’s defeat is a minor setback in what will be a successful career for the 20-year-old.

“He was on his way to a nice win and then didn’t box to instruction and paid the price,” he said.

“We had drilled staying off the ropes and not getting hit with the overhand left for weeks as this was his only chance of losing and he sat on the ropes too long and got hit high on the head with that exact shot.

“It was a good match for Jack to show off his skills but errors like that cost you dearly.

“He will learn from this and next year rebuild what I still believe will be a successful career.

“He is amazing in the gym and the nicest lad and he has the character to put this behind him.

“He’s not boxing complete stiffs who do nothing but inflate your record and trying to give his supporters real fights.”