So near yet so far...

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 13 Mar 2004, 18:21

The 11th-round knockdown swayed it for Jason Booth in a fight that lived up to all expectations. Robbo fought a great fight and so nearly pulled it off, but the knockdown proved crucial on the cards.
Still, Dale has his Commonwealth bauble to fall back on. There's also the possibility of a rematch with Booth. The future looks bright for the Huddersfield talent.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 13 Mar 2004, 18:45

other than his unbeaten record Dale didn't have alot to lose. Like you say, he still has his commonwealth title, and in defeat tonight would of learnt an awful lot. He will improve and a rematch maybe even closer!

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 13 Mar 2004, 18:47

Did you have it that close Bennie?

I thought Booth had the fight in the bag anyway, the knockdown just re-enforced it. Even without the knockdown Booth was clear on my card.

I did fancy Robinson to take this one though, but Booth had a little too much experience for him, and is probably a sweeter technician.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 13 Mar 2004, 18:50

Personally i had Booth by 3 rounds. But it was even going into 11, so the KD was a big factor IMO.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 13 Mar 2004, 18:52

Twinkle Toes wrote:Did you have it that close Bennie?

I thought Booth had the fight in the bag anyway, the knockdown just re-enforced it. Even without the knockdown Booth was clear on my card.

I did fancy Robinson to take this one though, but Booth had a little too much experience for him, and is probably a sweeter technician.

I'm always concious of the hometown factor in scoring fights. Dale was at home, the fans were roaring his every punch behind the judges, and that tends to sway them. Up to the ninth, it was an either way fight in my opinion, but Boothie poured it on down the stretch and landed that clever right in the 11th to seal it. But if Dale had finished the better, I honestly think he would have got it.

MGibbonsMC · Post by **MGibbonsMC** » 13 Mar 2004, 19:16

bennie I totally agree with you.

The fight was very close going into that pinnacle round 11. Both boxers had sleepy spells and consequently both getting caught with shots, otherwise they wouldnt have been hit with.

I had it even at that stage, but the knock down coupled with the laboured efforts from Robinson in the final round, despite him saying he was okay and didnt feel tired, he knows he aint kidding anyone.

Dale's shots couldnt work their way through the Booth defence who for me finished the stronger and was letting the more telling shots off, should it have gone another round, I doubt if Robinson would have finished, he was exhausted by a brave and brilliant effort.

It was a fight that was fought at high pace, in football terms it was a cracker for the neutral fan, end to end stuff.

But tiredness set into the legs of Robinson in my opinion and its been mentioned already and rightly so, Booth's experience told.

Cracking fight, and a well anticipated rematch im sure.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 13 Mar 2004, 19:27

MGibbonsMC wrote:bennie I totally agree with you.

The fight was very close going into that pinnacle round 11. Both boxers had sleepy spells and consequently both getting caught with shots, otherwise they wouldnt have been hit with.

I had it even at that stage, but the knock down coupled with the laboured efforts from Robinson in the final round, despite him saying he was okay and didnt feel tired, he knows he aint kidding anyone.

Dale's shots couldnt work their way through the Booth defence who for me finished the stronger and was letting the more telling shots off, should it have gone another round, I doubt if Robinson would have finished, he was exhausted by a brave and brilliant effort.

It was a fight that was fought at high pace, in football terms it was a cracker for the neutral fan, end to end stuff.

But tiredness set into the legs of Robinson in my opinion and its been mentioned already and rightly so, Booth's experience told.

Cracking fight, and a well anticipated rematch im sure.

agree, good post!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 13 Mar 2004, 19:30

Jason Booth is class, and has real balls. Taking on a punishing guy like Robbo in his own hometown is no cakewalk (I stuck 30 quid on Robbo on Skybet). But he looked the fans in the eye on his way to the ring, and showed it was more than bravado once the bell rang.
I'm only gutted this fight wasn't for the British flyweight title. Booth was stripped of his Lonsdale Belt after winning the spurious IBO belt last September.

MGibbonsMC · Post by **MGibbonsMC** » 13 Mar 2004, 19:56

Yeah once again your right. To go out and box a lad of that calibre in his own back yard takes balls, and it must be said that the Jason didnt seem to show any concerns about doing it.

In fact his attitude proved decisive in the finish.

We all remember Paul Ingle travelling to the US, boxing's holy place of Maddison SQ Gardens against Jr Jones, the same thing happened.

Full credit to Booth, well done.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 13 Mar 2004, 20:33

I'm glad Booth won.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 13 Mar 2004, 20:35

Southpaw Stylist wrote:I'm glad Booth won.

Well, you Nottingham guys have to stick together.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 13 Mar 2004, 20:37

Defo mate.

I saw him sparring and thought he looked crap too, but I guess his talent carries him through.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 13 Mar 2004, 21:02

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Defo mate.

I saw him sparring and thought he looked crap too, but I guess his talent carries him through.

Who was he sparring?

The Devil In Roy Jones · Post by **The Devil In Roy Jones** » 13 Mar 2004, 22:45

Excellent sporting contest. It's a shame there has to be a loser because for fights like this one there should be a 'technical unanimous decision loss' verdict or something :P

Booth showed excellent ring generalship nearly all through the fight, mostly stealing the rounds by a mere few punches. Robinson elected to fight Booth in the middle of the ring for the whole fight, which I think dented his chances of success. Had he concentrated solely on body punching for the first 3 or 4 rounds I think he would have been able to cut Booth off easier as the fight progressed, perhaps really getting the chance to lay into him from round 8 or 9 onwards (maybe earlier depending how much these punches slowed Booth).

I also think Robinson should re-look at the way he retreats from inside. Too often the shots that won Booth the round came from his countering a Robinson in-attack were Dale stepped back with his hands held sometimes low, but mostly wide. Robinson showed class (not glass!) chin skills, and showed he had heart during the 11th and 12th.

I liked Booth's footwork, which maybe caused the extra bit of dig he mentioned he's feeling in the interview

Overall, excellent competative matchup between two highly skilled fighters. Belive it or not I'd rather watch this than a heavyweight hugfest anyday

::Edit: fixed surname ::

MGibbonsMC · Post by **MGibbonsMC** » 14 Mar 2004, 08:48

Well done Devil belting post. A good summary of the fight. I agree with you.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 14 Mar 2004, 09:18

The Devil In Roy Jones wrote:Excellent sporting contest. It's a shame there has to be a loser because for fights like this one there should be a 'technical unanimous decision loss' verdict or something :P

Booth showed excellent ring generalship nearly all through the fight, mostly stealing the rounds by a mere few punches. Robertson elected to fight Booth in the middle of the ring for the whole fight, which I think dented his chances of success. Had he concentrated solely on body punching for the first 3 or 4 rounds I think he would have been able to cut Booth off easier as the fight progressed, perhaps really getting the chance to lay into him from round 8 or 9 onwards (maybe earlier depending how much these punches slowed Booth).

I also think Robertson should re-look at the way he retreats from inside. Too often the shots that won Booth the round came from his countering a Robertson in-attack were Dale stepped back with his hands held sometimes low, but mostly wide. Robertson showed class (not glass!) chin skills, and showed he had heart during the 11th and 12th.

I liked Booth's footwork, which maybe caused the extra bit of dig he mentioned he's feeling in the interview

Overall, excellent competative matchup between two highly skilled fighters. Belive it or not I'd rather watch this than a heavyweight hugfest anyday

"Robertson"? Robinson.

You're worse than Jim Neilly on the BBC!

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 14 Mar 2004, 09:57

bennie wrote:
Southpaw Stylist wrote:Defo mate.

I saw him sparring and thought he looked crap too, but I guess his talent carries him through.
Who was he sparring?

Some african dude.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 14 Mar 2004, 10:53

I thought Booth won it quite clearly, the Sky commentry really seemed to give more credit to Robinson's work than Booth.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 Mar 2004, 11:12

I thought Booth won (although I didn't catch it all) it was a close affair. I think the lack of tough contest probably cost Robinson, but like Booth will probably come back a much better fighter as a result of this set back.

Give my full props to Booth, I was very confident Robinson would win, but Booth proved me wrong well done - perhaps a Booth vs Culshaw or Kelly wouldn't be as one sided as I originally thought. He deserves the chance now.

The Devil In Roy Jones · Post by **The Devil In Roy Jones** » 14 Mar 2004, 19:49

Thanks for pointing that out Loftgroov

My friends second name is Robertson and I must have been thinking about her when I was writing that.

I do this quite a lot - mix similar names up if my mind is not 100% focussed - and it can be so embarrasing in real life.

*learns to proof read*

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 15 Mar 2004, 06:12

Very pleased for Booth. I thought he would win by a much wider margin but still he did what he needed to do.

Robinson took defeat very well.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 15 Mar 2004, 07:04

I was most impressed with Booth. He's often come across as cocky almost to the point of being disrespectful to his opponents.
On saturday it was clear that he respected Robinson in the ring and out of it. He was generous with his praise in victory and went up in my estimation enormously as a result.
Fights like these are just what boxing needs. Two honest professionals, with a respect for the rules, the sport itself and most importantly each other.