Robinson seething following Power postponement by Ben Carey Apr 16th 2005

Former Commonwealth flyweight champion Dale Robinson is determined to make Martin Power pay after the pair's vacant British bantamweight title clash, scheduled for April 29 at the Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre, was postponed until May 20 after Power injured his back in training. “As soon as I heard it was postponed I didn't even bother to ask when the new date was,” said an exasperated Robinson to BBN. “It's frustrating as my preparation was going very well. My fitness was good and so was my weight. I'll just have to take a week off now before resuming my training again.” Ironically, the undefeated Power, 16-0 (7), was to have fought for the vacant British crown against former champion Noel Wilders, only for Wilders to pull out in the week of the fight in December. Robinson, who turned 25 last week, will be making his first championship foray into the bantamweight division (8st 6lbs) having campaigned previously at flyweight (8st) and super-fly (8st 3lbs) since turning pro in September 2000. “I know some people still feel I'm a flyweight but it's very difficult for me to get down to 8 stone now and produce my best in 12-rounders. I decided it was time to step up when I was being hurt by shots that would normally bounce off me. Making bantamweight isn't a problem for me,” admitted Robinson. Judging by the Yorkshireman's solitary loss to Jason Booth in a memorable tilt for the IBO super flyweight title last March, his words would appear to have some credence. After a bright opening in which he jarred Booth in round three, Robinson lost his way down the stretch and an eleventh round knockdown proved pivotal as Booth unanimously retained his title via scores of 115-113 (twice) and 115-112. “Jason Booth is really underrated, he was able to give a guy like Alexander Mahmutov a very tough fight. We had a war. I was able to push him all the way but I just lost my way towards the end. He only just beat me and I'm more experienced now. That's why I'm so confident of beating Power,” said Robinson. The all-action sluggers have shared a ring before as schoolboys, nine years ago, when they contested the NABC flyweight title. It is a day Robinson remembers fondly, and one Power would prefer to forget. “Power was a massive favourite that night but I ended up stopping him after he received four standing counts,” rejoiced Robinson. “I joked at the recent press conference that the referee stopped it too early because I was having fun in there. But they (team Power) were serious and tried to argue that it should have been allowed to go on!” Though the omens appear good for the Huddersfield pocket dynamo, Power has looked the part since ditching the vest and headgear and has made solid progress under the tutelage of trainer Johnny Eames. Undeterred, Robinson remains adamant that he has the Camden Town man's number. “I think Power's the same fighter. He still looks quite amateurish and he's very hittable. He's never boxed over 12 rounds before whereas I've done 12 three times already. To be honest, I thought Shinny Bayaar had a really good chance of beating him but he didn't seem to perform when they fought (Power outpointed Bayaar over ten in December). Maybe it was because Shinny took the fight at such short notice. But Power's unbeaten so he's going to be confident.”

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