By JIM KERNAGHAN -- London Free Press
 SYDNEY -- Last call for Niagara Falls bartender Mike Strange early yesterday was tinged with sadness but no regrets.

 The veteran boxer lost an 8-3 decision to Turkey's Nurhan Suleymanoglu, despite a stirring fourth-round flurry that had the Sydney Convention Centre crowd roaring. Fans booed lustily when the judges rendered their decision.

 "I knew it was going be a chess match the first two rounds and whoever got one or two points was basically going to go to the defence," said Strange, who announced his retirement after the fight. "When I got down, I had to commit and when you do that, your hands come down and you get countered."

 Strange, who entered the ring draped in a flag bearing the Niagara Falls coat of arms, will devote his energies full time to the Highland Tap, a saloon in which he has a stake.

 A defensive specialist, Strange faced an opponent with equal skills and resolve. By the time the last round came up, the Canadian opened it up in an attempt to erase a 4-1 deficit.

 "I was trying to open it up and he was running," Strange said. "I would have done the same thing. I said 'C'mon, you don't want to win this way, do you?' He wasn't going to get suckered into that. I've had guys yell stuff like that at me."

 Strange said he felt the same way as swimmer Joanne Malar, who also has no medals in three trips to the three Olympic Games.

 "I'm the only Canadian boxer to be in three Olympics and I feel good about that. Boxing's not a long-life sport. You either go pro or retire so I feel it's a major accomplishment."

 Strange, who had been under the weather the past four days, didn't use that as an excuse. He said he felt 10 times better for this fight than he had in days, but agreed his training suffered.

 "Hey, these are the Olympics and if you're going get a medal, you have to fight for it. The judging was fair."

 Canada still has five boxers in the tournament.