Waterford’s Kelyn Cassidy is out of the World Boxing Championships.

The Saviours Crystals man lost out on a 3-2 split decision to Noel Pacheco of the Dominican Republic in the preliminary rounds of the men’s light heavyweight division on opening night in Liverpool – despite appearing to have done enough in round three to swing the bout in his direction.

Cassidy took the first round on a 3-2 split decision, before losing out 4-1 in the second round – making it locked on two of the judges scorecards and all to play for heading into the deciding three minutes.

The Irish boxer landed many of the cleaner shots in the closing exchanges but it wasn’t enough to convince the judges – Pacheco taking the final round 3-2 to win 3-2 overall and progress to the next round at Cassidy’s expense.

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