TREDEGAR bantamweight Ian Turner was forced to retire at the end of the fourth round of his bout with Scunthorpe's Jim Betts at Crawley last night.

Turner put up a game display in the scheduled six round fight, but a bad gash high on his head brought about an early finish.

Betts had quickly got on top and Turner, who has now lost nine of his 16 contests, sustained a cut over his left eye in the opening round.

Turner's trainer Gary Thomas was quick to praise the quality of his man's opponent and said: "It was a spirited show from Ian, but Betts is a good fighter.

"Things went against Ian with the early cut eye and then the head wound which was the result of a clash, but he'll be back."

Referee Richie Davies gave Turner every chance by allowing the fight to continue as more and more blood flowed, but with Betts having established a firm grip, Thomas acted to spare his man further damage.