Boxing: Too experienced! Mar 15 2004
By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
EXPERIENCE proved the key on a night of mixed fortunes for top Huddersfield duo Mark Hobson and Dale Robinson.
Hard-punching Hobson powered his way to a third-round stoppage win over Liverpool's Tony Moran in the first defence of his British cruiserweight title.
But brave Robinson was left to regret a lapse of concentration as he was outpointed in his IBO super-flyweight title clash with Nottingham holder Jason Booth.
The 26-year-old East Midlander hardly lived up to his nickname `Too Smooth', but he did have a little too much know-how for Robinson, who is three years younger.
With the Highburton hero showing signs of fatigue having thrown 200 punches more than the champion, Booth finally found a way through late in the 11th.
Robinson, who had a 100% record in 15 bouts going into Saturday's showdown, was hurt far more mentally than physically by the long right which floored him for the first time in his professional career.
But it sealed Booth's comeback from a testing period in the middle of the fight when Robinson, having settled after an edgy start, took control of the centre of the ring and slammed home some solid left hooks and hurtful right follow-ups.
"Dale will be devastated for a few days, but when he's had chance to watch the video closely, he'll take great heart from a great fight," said trainer Chris Aston.
"There were times when Dale was too strong for Jason, but also times when Jason was too clever for Dale.
"The knockdown was clearly the turning point, and by that stage Dale was running on adrenalin and fire while Jason's experience ws beginning to kick in.
"Jason is a top fighter. He's handled many 12 rounders and his three defeats, all away in Europe, were questionable.
"Dale has three years on him, and if he can give him a contest like this, imagine what he will be capable of a few years down the line. He's a serious contender.
"We need to go away, have a close look at the video, see where we went wrong and look at how we can improve in terms of sparring and preparation. But we'll be back, make no mistake."
Moran's large and vociferous band of followers in a capacity 1,000-plus crowd ensured there was a superb atmosphere for Hobson's first outing since September.
The 6ft 7in 30-year-old Scouser, a former king of karate and kick-boxing, started at a blistering pace, and counted with a couple of meaty right handers.
But he looked in trouble as soon as the far more experienced Hobson, 27, inflicted a standing eight count at the end of the first.
The Lindley man brought his more superior skills, and heavier punching power, into play in the second, and Moran, who showed impressive courage and commitment, was again felled late on.
The challenger launched a fresh assault in the third, but Hobson was ready and finally silenced Moran's fans with a booming right which knocked him out cold.
"Fair play to Tony. His size makes his awkward and he's a tough bloke who came forward and landed a few," said Hobson.
"But I knew I was hurting him, and I knew that the onslaught in the third was pretty much his last hurrah.
"I felt strong out there and it was a case of walking him onto something. I managed that and I've got to be pleased."