Robbie Bryant

[jezzamundo]

Robbie Bryant has won the vacant PABA middleweight title, defeating Togasilimai Letoa (11-6-0) by a unanimous decision on Saturday night. Scorecards were 116-112, 115-113 and 118-110, all in favour of Bryant. Letoa falls to 11-7-0, having now lost his last five contests.

I read in the West online that this win should give Bryant a top 15 world ranking at middleweight in the WBA.

Excitement plus. There's nothing like buying WBA 'world' rating

I know. Obviously I'm a big fan of Bryant's, but he hasn't beaten anyone to be worthy of a top 15 world ranking. Letoa is better than his record suggests, though.

[kylamy]

I know. Obviously I'm a big fan of Bryant's, but he hasn't beaten anyone to be worthy of a top 15 world ranking. Letoa is better than his record suggests, though.[/quote]


Contrary to everyones belief, the PABA have never said they will guarantee a new champion top 15 WBA rating, I don't know where this came from, because i have never said to it to Robbie Bryant or anyone else they will be rated in the WBA top 15, but we have worked very hard with previous champions to get them rated in the WBA, especially after they have defended their titles etc.

But lets be very clear, we do not guarantee that, if you win the PABA title, you will be rated in the top 15 WBA, it's just not true, but it is possible and depends on your record and who you also defeated for the title.

Just to add to this, here is a couple of examples.

Daniel Dawson was at one stage WBA #1, before management problems and Injury forced him to vacate the title.
Look at who Dan fought to get there and make your own judgment.

Tim Bell was WBA #3 when he lost to Joel Casey, he was there by defeating, SMA, Kane McKay & Walter Papua,

Les Sherrington, WBA #7, he has never had a Mandatory defence, but look where he is, sadly injury may rob him of his rightful spot in the top 5, but he is right up there with just two or three defences.

Same can be said about Jamie Pittman, he was WBA #4 when he was looked at by Felix Sturm as an easy opportunity for a voluntary defence, Sturm got a shock for a few rounds until a cut to Pittman stopped his embarassment.

The goal is to assist our Aussie fighters get somewhere, if theyre good enough, they can eventually become WBA rated high enough, and then hopefully the WBA Champion of the division will take a look and consider giving him an opportunity for a defence at his title.

Sometimes it works, other times it does not, whether anyone thinks this is logical or not, i don't know or care, but it's the fastest way for a fighter to get an opportunity at world title honors, if your ready and your good enough, Green was another example, same as Mundine, but they both had the luxury of being able to promote their own shows and get the fights here in Australia.

Brad Vocale

[Da Voice]

It's unfortunate I know different. WBA rating had always been & always will be PABA's sales pitch.
When PABA kicked off it guaranteed #10. When it filled most of the titles, goal posts were moved i.e. Champ had to beat Fedelatin champ to get #10 rating.

I attended (you didn't) 1995 ANBF AGM, where Derek Milham spoke about PABA & its acceptance by ANBF.
Matter was deferred to next AGM at the request of Frank Quill, giving him a chance to discuss it with other OPBF office bearers.

[amwsnw]

Great effort by Robbie against a very tough and competitive opponent.People will alsways try and pick negatives out any situation,which seems to be the object of some posters on here lately. Many title fights regardless of sanctioning bodies could, over the years, be criticised with the match ups. Robbie's fight and every other fight on the card last Saturday was well matched which made for a fantastic nights boxing...very entertaining. Keep up the great work CDL and keep marching forward Robbie.

[kylamy]

Hey Guys, just to let you all know the latest WBA ratings came out last night.

Frank LoPorto #12 Super Welter

Robbie Bryant #13 Middle

Les Sherrington #6 Super Middle

Joel Casey #9 Light Heavy

Not a bad effort for our boys i'd say, and some good recognition for their efforts.

When Robbie has a mandatory, we should see him inside the top ten.

Same for Joel Casey, who has not yet even defended his 175 pound title as yet.

Also Frank at #12 with just one defence, but he defeated a very good fighter to grab the Championship, So I expect him to be inside top ten with another defence or his Mandatory.

Regards
Brad Vocale

[Da Voice]

Whaaaaaa!!! Must be Xmas time in WBA world. I can just imagine Mendoza Jnr in Ho! Ho! Ho! red suit :P

[Da Voice]

Given Mundine was always given the right to choose formidable opponents, who were then given a rating prior to fight, makes me think Mendoza Junior always wears Ho! Ho! Ho! suit

[jezzamundo]

Robbie Bryant just beat Les Piper by a split decision, defending his PABA Middleweight title and improving to 15(7)-1(0)-1. This is a fight I tipped him to win comfortably, but he took two scorecards 115-113 and lost the other 111-117. I would be interested to hear impressions from anyone who saw the fight.

I've said it before, but my feeling is that despite his title, Robbie has a better future at light middleweight than at middleweight and should be seeking fights in the lighter division. Of late he has been fighting guys who usually campaign at super middleweight and light heavyweight, but who are probably fitter at middleweight. Bryant seems to have bulked up, as he used to walk around at around 73kg, but I'd say he's heavier than that these days judging by photos and last time I talked with him.

Robbie has a good chin and decent power, but he isn't as naturally gifted as the best Aussie fighters in either division. If he can get back to light middle, his power will be more effective and he won't face size and reach disadvantages as often as he has been lately.

[jezzamundo]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... top-piper/

I actually quite like the idea of Bryant vs Wood! A previous article mentioned Bryant vs Sturm and Bryant vs Geale (Robbie and Daniel fought as amateurs, Geale being knocked down but winning a close decision), though I can't see him having much chance of winning either of these fights.

[jezzamundo]

Robbie Bryant made the second successful defense of his PABA Middleweight title, as well as defending his IBF Australiasian Middleweight Title. He won a 12 round unanimous decision over tough Phillipino fighter, Arnel Tinampay, scorecards reading 115-113, 115-114 and 116-112. Bryant improves to 16(7ko)-1-1 and a BoxRec ranking of #94 at middleweight, Tinampay falls to 17-14-1 and a ranking of #155 at middleweight. This was Bryant's first fight for 9 months.

I didn't see the fight and would be interested to know the impressions of anyone who did. Interestingly, Tinampay is much smaller than all of Bryant's recent opponents (5'7" and has fought as low as lightweight), but has never been stopped and pushed Daniel Dawson to a majority decision in 2011. More recently, Tinampay was unable to win around against Australian middleweight champ, Jarrod Fletcher.

Interestingly, after 5-and-a-half years and 18 fights as a pro, Bryant has still only fought in Western Australia.

[Hounddawg]

I've often thought why he hasn't ventured East, and some very good fights i might add if he did.

I also wonder if he will fight any of these guys.

Geale,Soliman,Wood,Fletcher, Mwetupunga,Singh,McCulloch, Shaick or Crampton.

I Think you would need build up fights for guys like Geale & Soliman, however the other fights are within radar now.

[Sweet P]

Bryant vs Tinampay was a really entertaining fight. Tinampay started fast and took the first 2 rounds, from then on it was a real war. Bryant finished the fight stronger.
CDL promotions are having a big show in July, There hoping to get some quality opponents for there fighters. And hopefully no pull outs this time.
Young Pro Luke sharp is stepping up to face Jeremy Allan for the State Title. Andrew Green is looking to step up also.

[jezzamundo]

I've often thought why he hasn't ventured East, and some very good fights i might add if he did.

I also wonder if he will fight any of these guys.

Geale,Soliman,Wood,Fletcher, Mwetupunga,Singh,McCulloch, Shaick or Crampton.

I Think you would need build up fights for guys like Geale & Soliman, however the other fights are within radar now.

I believe Geale fought Bryant twice in the amateurs, beating him on points both times, although Bryant did knock Geale down once. I think if they fought now, Geale would likely win a wide decision or possibly a mid to late rounds stoppage as I see him as being on another level to Bryant. Same goes for Soliman, who is still world class and I believe would probably take a wide decision win over Bryant. Fletcher would also be a big step-up, although Bryant would be a good test for him. I'd favour him to win a clear margin in a competitive fight.

Robbie was chasing a fight with Garth Wood before he fought Soliman, I don't know if that is still on the cards. Either way, I think that would be a very competitive fight. Wood would be the bigger, stronger man, but I think this would be a war. Wood should go in as favourite, but not by much.

McCulloch has been fighting well over 160lb lately, so I'm not sure if he's worth considering. Shaick and Bryant would be an excellent fight, although with neither fighter having left their home state I'm not sure it would happen - it would certainly be against Bryant's interests to fight him in Queensland. Bryant-Mwetupunga would also be a great matchup, I'd favour Bryant to win a decision in that fight. I think Bryant would knock Singh out in the middle to late rounds or take a clear decision.

[amwsnw]

Tinampay v Bryant was a cracker of a fight, as the scores reflect.
My concern was how often Tinampay was able to land on Robbie. He was clearly the smaller fella so this may have not bothered Robbie too much but if any of the guys previously mentioned are able to land as continuously as Tinampay did Im not sure how far Robbie can go against the upper echelon of fighter.
That said, he guts'd out another victory. Hopefully July will see him step up and we will get a real feel for where he is at on the national scale.
Congrats to CDL on another great night.

[Sweet P]

Your right Scotty, It was a great night of boxing. Robbies true colours showed up well after everyone had gone home.
Gunner jackson had won the LtHeavyweight title of Dave Letizia.
The promoter used Letizias belt for presentation etc after the fight. Gunner gave the belt back to Dave afterwards as the new belt would be made and sent to Gunner in the coming weeks.

After realising Gunner would be flying home empty handed Bryant then went over and gave Gunner his own PABA belt to keep. Not many fighters would do that and it shows what a really good bloke Robbie is.

[Brute]

I've often thought why he hasn't ventured East, and some very good fights i might add if he did.

I also wonder if he will fight any of these guys.

Geale,Soliman,Wood,Fletcher, Mwetupunga,Singh,McCulloch, Shaick or Crampton.

I Think you would need build up fights for guys like Geale & Soliman, however the other fights are within radar now.

I believe Geale fought Bryant twice in the amateurs, beating him on points both times, although Bryant did knock Geale down once. I think if they fought now, Geale would likely win a wide decision or possibly a mid to late rounds stoppage as I see him as being on another level to Bryant. Same goes for Soliman, who is still world class and I believe would probably take a wide decision win over Bryant. Fletcher would also be a big step-up, although Bryant would be a good test for him. I'd favour him to win a clear margin in a competitive fight.

Robbie was chasing a fight with Garth Wood before he fought Soliman, I don't know if that is still on the cards. Either way, I think that would be a very competitive fight. Wood would be the bigger, stronger man, but I think this would be a war. Wood should go in as favourite, but not by much.

McCulloch has been fighting well over 160lb lately, so I'm not sure if he's worth considering. Shaick and Bryant would be an excellent fight, although with neither fighter having left their home state I'm not sure it would happen - it would certainly be against Bryant's interests to fight him in Queensland. Bryant-Mwetupunga would also be a great matchup, I'd favour Bryant to win a decision in that fight. I think Bryant would knock Singh out in the middle to late rounds or take a clear decision.

Fletcher is not to be taken lightly. In winning his 2006 Commonwealth Gold Medal he beat Adonis Stevenson of Canada, now a top ten rated Super Middleweight after beating James De Gale of England (no UK in the commonwealth Games) who went on to win the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal and is now EBU Super Middleweight Champion.

[Da Voice]

IMHO, Bryant should ditch PABA/WBA fantasy world, land back on planet earth & challenge Fletcher - Oz title......to establish credibility. The road he's taking now.....Will get him nowhere.

[Da Voice]

Your right Scotty, It was a great night of boxing. Robbies true colours showed up well after everyone had gone home.
Gunner jackson had won the LtHeavyweight title of Dave Letizia.
The promoter used Letizias belt for presentation etc after the fight. Gunner gave the belt back to Dave afterwards as the new belt would be made and sent to Gunner in the coming weeks.

After realising Gunner would be flying home empty handed Bryant then went over and gave Gunner his own PABA belt to keep. Not many fighters would do that and it shows what a really good bloke Robbie is.

Nice of Bryant to do so. Once upon a time, new titlist didn't get a belt 'til after 3rd successful defence

[Brute]

IMHO, Bryant should ditch PABA/WBA fantasy world, land back on planet earth & challenge Fletcher - Oz title......to establish credibility. The road he's taking now.....Will get him nowhere.

I think Fletcher would be too good for him.

[Sweet P]

Having watched both of them fight, Fletcher is the more technical boxer. Robbie however has power in both hands and is relentless, on his night he could really trouble Fletcher. It would be both guys biggest test to date.
Hopefully down the track they will fight, Dont think it will be for the Aussie Title, it would be a step backwards for Robbie and im not sure what holding onto the Aussie Title will do for Fletcher, with his skills he should be aiming to get a ranking with one of the Orgs and pushing his way up to a World title shot.

[Da Voice]

Like it or lump it, Fletch ain't gonna fight for PABA title again. Bossman Deller & he have got plans & PABA ain't in the mix

[Sweet P]

Like it or lump it, Fletch ain't gonna fight for PABA title again. Bossman Deller & he have got plans & PABA ain't in the mix

Whether its for IBF regional, PABA, OPBF, WBO etc is irrelivant. He will need to fight for one of the ORG's eventually. Fletcher is a talented guy, and sitting on the Aussie title isnt going to get him to a World title shot.

[Da Voice]

Like it or lump it, Fletch ain't gonna fight for PABA title again. Bossman Deller & he have got plans & PABA ain't in the mix

Whether its for IBF regional, PABA, OPBF, WBO etc is irrelivant. He will need to fight for one of the ORG's eventually. Fletcher is a talented guy, and sitting on the Aussie title isnt going to get him to a World title shot.

Yep! Except for PABA, one of above mention is it

[kylamy]

Like it or lump it, Fletch ain't gonna fight for PABA title again. Bossman Deller & he have got plans & PABA ain't in the mix

Whether its for IBF regional, PABA, OPBF, WBO etc is irrelivant. He will need to fight for one of the ORG's eventually. Fletcher is a talented guy, and sitting on the Aussie title isnt going to get him to a World title shot.

Yep! Except for PABA, one of above mention is it

I just love proving your wrong Sunshine, Because earlier this evening, I had a call from your, so called "Bossman" Steve Deller, seeking Jarrod's opportunity, for Robbie to have his overdue mandatory defence against the former PABA Champion, Jarrod Fletcher.

You didn't forget, that Jarrod won the PABA championship in just his third fight did you? he only vacated it when he was so badly injured, he had an operation and almost one year out of the ring

So why do you continue to spread lies and rumours, that are unjustified and clearly wrong, you cannot possibly have been told anything else, because i talk with Steve Deller daily.

[Da Voice]

Gawd, I can certainly put my foot into my mouth. Didn't realise you talk with Deller every day.
Does he call you, or do you call him??