Alvin Lagumbay would welcome the opportunity to avenge his hard-fought defeat to Nicki Bascome at the Victualling Yard in Dockyard on Saturday night.

The Filipino fighter, a former WBO Asia Pacific welterweight champion, was handed a fifth defeat of his professional career after coming out on the wrong end of a unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 77-75 and the other 78-74 in favour of Bascome.

Despite the disappointment of losing the bout, extending his winless run to four fights, the Bukidnon-born fighter was satisfied with his performance, in which the southpaw dominated the early rounds, inflicting a number of heavy left-handed blows to Bascome, but ultimately failed to seize the initiative as the Bermudian rallied late on.

“The fight was very good, it was just a shame I wasn’t able to catch Bascome as much as I would have liked,” said 24-year-old Lagumbay, whose professional record stands at ten wins, nine by knockout, five defeats and one draw.

“He’s very fast, moved very well and was all over the ring. It was hard to catch him with my favourite punch at times.

“I’m disappointed not to win but it is OK; I’m very proud of my fight. In the Philippines, I could win this fight, it was very close and I think back home I could have won the fight.”

On the prospect of an opportunity of a rematch, Lagumbay stated he would happily return to the island, citing he would take the lessons of his defeat and take a different approach if given the chance.

“I would very much like to be given the chance of rematch,” he said. “I have a great respect for Bascome and I would like the chance to be in the ring with him again.

“If I will be given the chance of a rematch; I will be focused on the fight and how to fight against Bascome a bit differently next time. I think I could win.

“If I had to come back to Bermuda to fight again, I would be very happy to do that. Everyone has been great to me here and I would like to fight here again if I can.”

One obvious major draw of a rematch between the pair would the prospect of recreating the electric atmosphere at the Victualling Yard, with large contingents of both Bermudian and Filipino fans turning out.

Lagumbay took the opportunity to hail his compatriots among the crowd and thanked them for the faith and admiration shown towards him, even in the aftermath of defeat.

“I was very proud to represent the Filipino community here and admire them very much,” added Lagumbay, who cherished being part of the spectacle.

“Even though I lost the fight, to them I am still a winner in their eyes and that is very pleasing. I will always be grateful for that.

“I’m very happy to have been involved in a good fight in front of a lot of people.

“There was a lot of people cheering for me and a lot cheering for Bascome; it was great to be part of the fight.”