Renowned boxing writer Steve Bunce believes Anthony Ogogo will bounce back from his first professional defeat and insists his conqueror, Craig Cunningham, should jump at a rematch.

Ogogo, 27, was retired by his corner in the eighth round of his WBC international middleweight title fight, in Birmingham, on Saturday – it later emerging that the Lowestoft boxer had suffered severely blurred double vision as a result of a broken eye socket.

A leading eye specialist has since confirmed that due to the nature of Ogogo’s scan results the injury was caused, unknowingly to the boxer, before the fight.

“Such a loss without the injury is the sort that would have left him (Ogogo) questioning his career,” said Bunce.

“With the mitigating circumstances it’s just a loss and it’s happened in the past to (Alan) Minter, (John) Conteh, (Charlie) Magri, all world champions.

“It’s not a setback at all. He should be at a different stage of his career, but he had his shoulder operation which kept him out of the ring for a long time. It’s not down to a lack of talent.

“It seems so long ago now since he won a bronze at London 2012, but in boxing terms he is still a baby.”

Cunningham had Ogogo, who has also suffered with Achilles problems, down in the second round with a strong right hook and was the more dominant boxer as he extended his record to 17 wins from 18 pro bouts.

The 28-year-old will fight again next month, against Rick Godding, in Manchester, but Bunce believes he should not turn down a fight should Ogogo come calling again.

“No disrespect to Cunningham but he has not been in a lot of money fights,” added Bunce.

“He fights on the circuit away from the glamour cards and if I was Ogogo’s team I would pay him a nice few quid to get him back in the ring.

“What I would say is, if Anthony says he can be back in two months, give him four.”

Ogogo turned professional in April 2013 but has boxed just 12 times since.

Not that he has been out of the spotlight, the boxer having appeared on TV shows such as Splash and Strictly Come Dancing.

“He didn’t chase celebrity, celebrity chased him, the TV producers contacted him,” said Bunce, who does not believe such appearances have been detrimental to his progress.

“Being on Strictly (Come Dancing) was a mistake because he was not ready physically.

“It’s not like going on a quiz show. I remember speaking to Audley Harrison who was completely knackered doing it.”

“I don’t think the celebrity stuff has affected him.”