Gunn believes he was stopped too early by Ian McNeilly Apr 15th 2007

Never underestimate the power of denial. Bobby Gunn, despite his face being a mask of blood, barely landing a blow and being hit at will on unsteady legs believes his WBO cruiserweight title fight with Enzo Maccarinelli was stopped too early. Gunn told www.fightbeat.com: "I'd like to thank everyone for the support: my personal trainer Kyle White, head trainer Joe Grier, sparring partners and the rest of Team Gunn. I also want to thank the people who stood behind me during my quest to England for the WBO title shot. I want to thank my wife Rose and my son Bobby for loving and supporting me all the way. Special thanks. I would like to say to all my fans and supporters that I'm very sorry for the outcome of the fight with Enzo and all the circumstances that surrounded the fight. "I take my hat off to Enzo; he's a great man and a great champion. I've been involved in countless fights during my professional career aside from watching fights my whole life and I don't know why a referee would not allow two men to fight their heart out in a world championship fight. In all unified championship rules, a fighter is not supposed to receive an 8 count unless he's knocked down or can't defend himself, I was neither. "I had a cut on my nose and the Mark Nelson gave me an eight count because of the cut on my nose. He did not take me to the ringside physician to be examined which he did not. The fight was continued and he jumped to stop it briefly after which I feel was not the right thing to do, considering there were no knock downs scored by Enzo and I was not hurt at any point. However, that was the ref's call and I'm not a person to cry and make excuses. "If the fight was in the US, it would be a different story, but I am not saying that I would definitely win. Also, I was under the impression that my IBA Cruiserweight title was not on the line and when I come back home to America, win, loss, or draw in England, I still have my IBA title and I could defend it. "I just found out this week that the IBA stripped me of my title without notifying me. I only found out when I went online. I don't mean to sit here and bad mouth people, I wish Enzo the best and I'll be supporting him throughout his career and I would like to thank Frank Warren for the opportunity of a lifetime. It was quite an event to be involved in. All of my loyal fans have been asking me what next career move is. "I would like to announce I will be dropping down to the light-heavyweight division. I hope to challenge for the IBA title or anybody among the top of the division. My team feels as a light-heavyweight I will be much more effective. I'd like to once again thank everyone for the support and Bobby Gunn will fire back! "In closing, I would like to say this. In the movie Braveheart there was a saying in the end. "Every man dies, not every man really lives" and I have lived. I give God the glory." Bobby, trust me, God would have wanted you to be rescued at the end of that first round.

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