FORMER British and Commonwealth Welterweight champion Chris Jenkins says he "relentless to come back and get more titles" after his recent his defeat to Ekow Essuman.

The Amman Valley boxer, aged 32, lost both belts to his Nottingham opponent when the referee stepped in to stop the fight during the eighth round at London's SSE Arena.

Essuman, who is dubbed the Engine, unleashed a burst of punches in the eighth round that Jenkins, fighting with broken ribs from the second round, had no answer to.

Jenkins, who had more than held his own, despite battling through pain and shortness of breath, hoovered up blow after blow as Essuman was awarded the victory.

It was Jenkins' third defence of the British title he took from Johnny Garton in March 2019, and second defence of the Commonwealth belt he won against Paddy Gallagher five months later.

Jenkins hadn't boxed since a technical draw against Liam Taylor in November 2019, when he sustained a badly cut left eye that ended the bout in round three.

His record stands at 29 professional fights, 22 wins, including 8 knock-outs, 3 draws and 4 defeats - and the Amman Valley fighter insisted that his career is far from over.

"The dust has settled and first of all congratulations to Ekow and his team," said Jenkins, who is a product of the Cwmgors Boxing Club.

"Saturday night didn't go my way, I got caught by a body shot in the second, which resulted in two or three broken ribs.

"I fought through the pain for six more rounds and dug in, but it wasn't to be.

"After speaking to Frank (Warren), he has promised to bring me back, so this far from the end for me.

"I plan to spend time with my wife and kids, rest up and recover, and go again. I'm far from finished, my performance showed that on Saturday night.

"A huge thank you to Gary, Brett and the team and massive thanks to my family, friends and sponsors for the support.

"And thanks to everyone that's supported me and wished me well thus far in my career.

"I've had no luck, but the harder you work the luckier you get and I will be relentless to come back and get more titles."

Born in Pontardawe, before moving to Garnant and then lower Cwmtwrch, the tough 32-year-old has seen his achievements go somewhat under the radar.

Having already won three Welsh titles and a Prizefighter trophy live on Sky Sports in 2013, he was crowned British welterweight champion back in March 2019 with a points victory over defending British and IBF European champion Johnny Garton at the Albert Hall.

He added the Commonwealth title to his list of honours in August by beating home favourite Paddy Gallagher in Belfast, before a successful defence of his British crown with a technical draw against Liam Taylor in November 2019.

The successful defence also left him needing 24 stitches, inside and out, to repair a nasty cut above his left eye.

Despite his success, Jenkins, nicknamed Rok’n’Rolla by his father, has revealed that he has been baffled about the lack of respect he has received in his career.

“I don’t think I get the respect I deserve, but I come through the fights," he said.

“I wasn’t meant to beat Johnny Garton or Paddy Gallagher, but managed both.

“I don’t know why I don’t get respect because I have been fighting at the top end of domestic level since the first fight against Tyrone Nurse six years ago.

“I have had several major championship contests and I’m never in a dull fight, even when I was in the ‘Who needs me' club, and took fights at two or three weeks’ notice.

“Maybe it is because I get cut, don’t bother with social media or perhaps my face doesn’t fit. I am happy in life though and it doesn’t get to me, I have got a thick skin.

“I think there are fighters who have done a lot less than me and get more respect, but nobody is going to be everyone’s cup of tea."