Lee McGregor's dream of becoming Scotland’s next world champion ended in tatters on a dramatic night at Meadowbank.
The Edinburgh scrapper knew his IBO super-bantamweight bout against Erik Robles could be life-changing. And after a draining, all-action 12 rounds it went to the scorecards – with the Mexican getting the unanimous decision, with one judge scoring it 116-113 and the other two going 115-113.
Rangers boss Michael Beale, former striker Kenny Miller and Hearts legend Gary Locke were among those at ringside as big-time boxing returned to the capital. And there was a surprise guest appearance from heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – although he shot off long before McGregor had taken to the ring.
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The Scot admits he had become something of a forgotten man after barely fighting in the past two years. But a new promotional deal with Wasserman and a broadcast deal with Channel 5 have helped give him a new platform. This was a massive opportunity for the 26-year-old to push closer to genuine world level and he was determined to take it.
Standing in his way, though, was a teak-tough Mexican. Robles had never fought outside his homeland before but his record of just one defeat in 14 pro fights demanded respect. McGregor is a Hearts fanatic and his ringwalk was soundtracked by a Jambo favourite, Levels by Avicii.
That got the 1300-strong crowd pumped up and the arena was absolutely rocking. It was all-action from the first bell, with Robles not shy in getting stuck in and landing some testing early shots. McGregor – with daughter Maddie’s name across the top of his shorts – looked to counter with body shots of his own in a busy start from both fighters.
Robles was livelier again in the second, continually changing his angle of attack. The Scot looked to use his strength in the fourth as he started to get more of a foothold in the contest – although Robles rallied to finish strongly.
The Mexican was busy again in the fifth although McGregor was able to block or deflect most of the punches that came his way – before firing off body shots of his own. There was little between the men as the fight wore into the second half. Robles looked busier close up, with McGregor better from distance.
Robles had never been beyond the eighth round before but didn’t seem to be tiring. The Mexican stepped it up again in the 10th and again looked lively in the 11th before it finished at the same crazy pace as it started, with the Mexican getting the nod.
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