BENDIGO'S Justin Whitehead has come up short in his bid to become the number one contender to the Australian heavyweight title.
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Whitehead lost a unanimous points decision to Herman Ene-Purcell at Rumours International in Toowoomba on Saturday night.
The three judges awarded Ene-Purcell the six-round fight 57-56, 58-55, 60-53.
It was Ene-Purcell's 11th win from 16 fights and has earned him a crack at Australian heavyweight champion Willie Nasio.
Whitehead was having his first fight in nearly 12 months and entered the bout ranked number two in the country.
California Gully trainer Gary Connolly said the only disappointment was that Whitehead had been unable to produce his best against the considerably shorter, but heavy-hitting Ene-Purcell.
"Justin was in great shape, he prepared well, he warmed up well and was feeling very confident," Connolly said.
"Just on the night he couldn't get it to work.
"He's not unhappy about it, Justin is very philosophical about things.
"He was a lot more unhappy about his last fight (a loss to New Zealand-based American Julius Long), where he probably performed better, but didn't prepare well."
Connolly believed Whitehead would likely have benefited with another fight or two under his belt over the last 12 months, against a boxer who has had six bouts this year, including one apiece in China and New Zealand.
Asked what was next for the former Australian heavyweight champion, he said Whitehead would likely head back to semi-retirement and would consider fighting again if the right opportunity arose.
"He's kind of in a catch-22 position where he only likes the big fights, the main events - they are the only ones that suit him," he said.
"But by the same token he is fighting the best guys when he does that.
"He has the skills to survive against them and can beat anyone on their day."
He said full credit went to Ene-Purcell on his win.
"Herman's a great up-and-coming fighter, who performed brilliantly on the night," he said.
"We wish him and his trainer/manager Brendan Smith good luck in their Australian heavyweight championship fight.
Whitehead's record now stands at six wins, two losses.
The 45-year-old is 1-2 since returning to boxing after a five year break from the sport.
His previous wins include an Australian heavyweight championship win over Colin Wilson in 2010 and another over world-rated Soloman Haunmono for the World Boxing Foundation international heavyweight title in 2009.
