Lee Purdy has lost out in his bid to become European welterweight champion, despite a brave effort against unbeaten Italian Leonard Bundu at the ExCel Arena.

The Essex fighter, who lost to Devon Alexander in May, was the underdog going into the bout in London, and he was outclassed by a smart performance from his 39-year-old opponent.

Bundu took the opening couple of rounds as both fighters traded blows, but Purdy appeared more confident as he attempted to tempt the champion into a brawl.

However, Bundu showed his experience by altering his tactics, and after out-boxing Purdy in the closing rounds, he dropped the Englishman with a right hand.

Purdy beat the count, but with eight seconds of the encounter remaining, the referee stepped in to end the bout with Purdy taking too much punishment from a unanswered barrage from Bundu.