Charity the winner as jockey George Buckell boxes to a draw in Newmarket

Jockey George Buckell had to settle for a thrilling draw in his title fight in Newmarket on Saturday night but the real winner was the Frank Bruno Foundation, for which he raised more than £2,000.

Buckell, who is attached to the Richard Spencer stable, had won three of his previous four fights but got off to the worst possible start when he was floored in the first round by Peterborough-based Russian Ikia Goncavovs at a bustling Ark nightspot on Newmarket High Street.

George Buckelll (left) boxing against Ikia Goncavovs

After getting off the canvas to take the mandatory count, Buckell got back into the three-round bout and it was no surprise he won the following two rounds on the judges' scorecards.

Unfortunately, the draw meant neither fighter won the impressive title belt sponsored by Rebel Racing and organisers Eddie's Gym.

The 3lb claiming apprentice said afterwards: "I'm disappointed to be honest. In the first round I took my eye off the ball and he caught me flush on the nose and I went down. I was two points down from there but I won the next two rounds and if we'd had a four-round fight I probably would have won it.

"I didn't know anything about the other guy until tonight, but he's a tough Russian who's a good puncher."

Buckell's mission was to raise money for the Frank Bruno Foundation, a charity that raises awareness of mental health issues, something Buckell has battled in the past.

George Buckell before his charity bout in Newmarket

He added: "It wasn't about me tonight, it was about everyone else who has had mental health issues. I'm not hanging my gloves up yet, however, as I want to hang them up on a win, not a draw."

The Frank Bruno Foundation, which is hoping to raise enough funds to open its own centre, aims to provide structured non-contact boxing sessions and wellbeing programmes to relieve the social, emotional and mental difficulties that adversely affects the mental health of adults and children.

To donate to George's JustGiving page click here