Express & Star

Andrew Robinson comes of age to the Civic

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Andrew Robinson returns to action at Wolverhampton Civic Hall this week under the strange notion that his first professional defeat did him more good than harm.

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Robinson earned plaudits going down fighting to Frank Buglioni for the WBO European super middleweight title in November,

writes Craig Birch.

Some thought the 30-year-old from Redditch, a graduate of Lions Boxing Club in Dudley, would be little more than cannon fodder for the explosive power of Buglioni.

It took seven rounds or his hard hitting to tell, 'Robbo' visiting the canvas for the first time after the Londoner finally landed a booming left hook.

Mouths were agape as 'D'Animal' gamely rose to his feet and continued to take the fight to his opponent, seeing out the 10-round distance.

True, he lost the war on the cards with the three judges scoring it to Buglioni, two 97-92 with one at 97-93, which was harsh on his co-challenger's endeavours.

But what's clear is that Robinson regards that night, on Frank Warren's biggest bill for years at the Excel in London, as a coming of age fight that he can build on, rather than let the result hamper him.

He said: "I got in with a guy who had a high knockout ratio and took his best shots, I went the distance even after everyone had written me off.

"I just took the good things out of it, I proved my chin and showed I belong in those sort of fights. I seemed to have got more credit in losing than Buglioni got through winning.

"That fight improved me and is paying dividends for my career, it gave me the confidence that I can mix it with the big boys. The feedback I got from people made me happy.

Gut check - Andrew Robinson climbs back to his feet after Frank Buglioni's blow lands flush on his chin.

"A lot of people thought I wouldn't go three rounds, but I hurt him in the first.

"Looking back, I should have jumped on him. We were both in great shape and it made for a really good fight.

"I felt I was never going to get the decision unless I stopped him and he got me when I went looking for it, but I was taking a lot of risks.

"I went out all guns blazing, made one little mistake and he caught me right on the button but, as soon as I went down, I knew exactly where I was and got my senses back.

"I came back out fine but Buglioni thought I was in trouble, he ended up blowing himself out and I was on top again by the end of the fight.

"If it had been a 12-round fight, I think I would have taken him out of there or, at least, given the judges something to think about. I was feeling great by the end."

Robinson will drop down to middleweight when Warren's BoxNation cameras arrive at the Civic on Valentine's Night, on a bill co-promoted by Paul 'PJ' Rowson.

They form part of a whopping 10-bout supporting cast to a main event that will produce a contender to the WBO world lightweight title.

The organisation's European champion, Stephen Ormond, puts up his belt against bitter rival and British boss Terry Flanagan in their eliminator.

Devon-based Spanish teenager Christian Hoskin-Gomez, 19, is the ideal foil and their come forward styles will likely see someone fall, but Robinson believes he has the craft to beat him to the punch.

He said: "When you get to a certain level and you are game like that, there's only one result. If he's still boxing like a novice, it's a bad situation for him to be in.

"I feel like I am up there now, I consider myself a 10 to 12 round fighter and on another level, I can see in the gym how I have come on.

"I walk around at middleweight, anyway, I actually have to eat a lot to get up to super middle. My opponents always seem to be a lot bigger than me.

"I just go with the flow, I will box where the opportunities come up but the lower the weight, the more my power will make me a force to be reckoned with."

For more information and tickets to the show, call the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.

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