BURY Amateur Boxing Club's Haroon Khan missed out on a national Golden Gloves title in controversial circumstances in the finals at Knottingley, Yorkshire, on Sunday.

The 14-year-old prospect lost his Class 3, 46kg final to Stevenage ABC's highly-rated Terry Holmes on a countback decision, after the judges announced a 5-5 final score after the three rounds.

But, it was an outcome that infuriated everyone in the Khan camp, including Haroon's brother, Olympic silver medallist Amir, who slammed the Amateur Boxing Association for the level of judging.

The majority of unbiased observers thought Haroon had easily got the decision, but it turned into a real heartbreaker for the youngster when, amazingly, Holmes got the verdict.

Amir, who was at the event supporting his brother, predicted the problem will turn young boxers away from the sport.

"It was very disappointing because everyone I spoke to thought that Haroon had won," he said.

"Amateur boxing needs a wake-up call because future medallists are being put off at a young age.

"It is a disgrace, if Haroon was 17 or 18 I'd probably tell him to turn professional.

"He will not be in the Four Nations championships now and that's a shame, because England won't have their best boxer representing them."

In most people's eyes Khan junior won the first two rounds at a canter, but after Holmes rallied somewhat in the third, the judges ruled a 5-5 draw at the finish, with the Stevenage lad getting the nod on the countback system that involves the number of punches thrown.

Amazingly, given the quality of the bout, no points at all were awarded to either boxer in the second round, and the fight wasn't the only one to cause controversy due to low marking.

It was a third disappointment in as many years for Haroon, who lost in similar circumstances last year and by a single point 12 months earlier.

"I thought I won at least two of the rounds, but it is all down to the judges' decision," he said.

"I worked hard and thought I'd done enough, but there's nothing I can do about it."

"After what I thought was a good first round, I was shocked to find I was only 3-2 up.

"But I'll be back again, it will make me try even harder."

Bury ABC coach Mike Jelley was fuming about the situation, saying: "It's absolutely scandalous. I've been involved in boxing for more than 40 years and I have given up trying to understand things like this.

"I just hope those officials who came up to me agreeing it was a terrible decision take it further now.

"But I don't think anything will be done, because it didn't last year when the same thing happened.

"The lad is understandably gutted, and though he'll shrug it off, I fear it won't be the last time it happens.

"I know I am biased, but I can accept decisions going against you when a fight is close, but this was nothing of the sort.

"The powers-that-be know the judges involved and they should be brought to book."