Former British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith says his fight with James DeGale was stopped too early.

Smith lost his title at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday night to a ninth round TKO.

But he believes referee Howard Foster jumped in too soon - and also claimed DeGale was not as good as everyone believes.

"I'm not moaning or having sour grapes but I don't know what the referees expect you to do when you're fighting someone like DeGale," Smith told the Liverpool Echo of his second pro defeat.

"He's always going to throw lots of punches but they are not powerful, he isn't a puncher.

"I was caught with many shots that I didn't see coming but they didn't knock me out. If you're a puncher then those shots floor people.

"He should have let me stand and fight back because I was the champion. He should have shown more faith in me because I have had 30 fights and have got a bit more nouse than he gave me credit for.

"I was always looking for the big shot because I knew if I caught him I know I would've knocked him out. But I should've boxed and got behind the jab, I should've done a lot better than I did.

"DeGale is obviously good with his awkwardness and speed. He's got a good boxing brain but no power. I maintain he has terrible confidence."