BLACKBURN’S Omar Dusary came up short on his big night on the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz undercard in Saudi Arabia.

The 25-year-old featherweight jumped up two weight classes at short notice to face home favourite Zuhayr Al Qahtani for the WBC’s Middle East lightweight championship in Diriyah.

A brave eight-round display saw Dusary, trained by Kokoro Boxing’s Jason Curtis in Accrington, beaten on points.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dusary reacts to the verdict Dusary reacts to the verdict

The three judges scored the bout 80-72, 78-74, 77-75 in favour of the London-based Al Qahtani.

"I’ll be back sooner then you think with more hunger then ever," Dusary said on social media post fight.

"I’ve always said I’ll fight any man and take every opportunity presented.

"I’d like to tell all my fans who are my family no matter what happens in life embrace every challenge with dignity and pride.

"Thanks for all your messages of support, I'm sorry I couldn't bring the belt back to Blackburn."

Born in Kuwait, Dusary arrived in England as a 12-year-old unable to speak English but is now degree educated and had amassed an unbeaten eight-fight record of seven wins and one draw before his big night in the Gulf.

Managed by Kevin Maree, he will now look to bounce back in 2020 and rise up the domestic rankings.

In the main event, Joshua stuck to his game-plan to deliver an emphatic 118-110 (twice) and 119-109 points verdict to regain his world heavyweight titles against Ruiz Jnr.

Apart from sporadic exchanges in which Joshua looked in danger of being lured into the kind of fight Ruiz required to repeat his victory in New York in June, the 30-year-old largely sailed home with the minimum of fuss.