BOURNEMOUTH boxer Raven Chapman will use the “wicked experience” of boxing at last month’s European Championship to spur her towards further international honours.

Chapman, who fights out of Arena Boxing Club, admits she was “gutted” at the controversial judges' decision which cost her a place in the semi-finals of the competition in Bulgaria.

Nevertheless, at the tender age of 22, Chapman announced her rare talent to the continent with a pair of explosive displays which left her in pole position to box for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Chapman told the Daily Echo: “It was a wicked experience. I was disappointed with the decision in the quarter-final because I felt I’d done enough. It’s part of my learning curve, though.

“I really felt I could have gone further. That’s the way the game goes sometimes, though, not always in your favour.

“I was gutted but I know from my experience, and from watching other fights out there, that I definitely belong at that level.

“As hard as it was to take, sometimes you need a knock-back to make you realise how hard you have to work to get to the top. It’s just going to make me hungrier and motivate me to work harder.”

Chapman has also absorbed valuable lessons about life outside the ring at a major competition.

She believes her fortnight in Sofia will steel her for future international tournaments, when killing time and eating correctly – even tougher for vegetarian Chapman – are fundamental parts of the challenge.

When it came to the business side of her trip, however, the featherweight showed she was coping beautifully, blowing away Serb Jovana Krstic in her last-16 bout.

She was edged out of a close-run thing in the quarter-final by Yuliya Apanasovich from Belarus.

The only victorious fighter from these shores in Bulgaria was 28-year-old Natasha Gale, the middleweight becoming only the second British boxer after Nicola Adams in 2011 to top the podium at these championships.

“It shows there is plenty of time for me to get there,” said Chapman.

“Even though I didn’t get the decision, there were GB boxers and coaches, and people watching at home saying I looked at a different level to the girl I lost to.

“That was so encouraging to hear and just motivates me to improve and get that decision next time.”

Told by leading GB Boxing coach Amanda Coulson she has attained a level where domestic fighters “can only push her so far”, Chapman is next targeting February’s illustrious Golden Girl Championship in Sweden.

Then it will be on to her defence of the national crown she won earlier this year.

“Everybody in Bulgaria commented on the standard of the boxing,” said Chapman. “It was a top level.

“Now I have to keep on top and stay in the number-one position in England, so I cement that spot at the Commonwealths.

“I have to make sure I’m the person they pick for that.”