Where were you on the 24th of October?
On this date, somewhere in Europe, there was a showdown between two fighters in what was billed as one of the biggest domestic clashes of the year. If you're expecting to read about Golota vs. Adamek, you are sorely mistaken. This story takes place on this night in Dublin, Ireland, but its roots took hold several months earlier.
On the 30th of January 2009 I had arrived at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin to cover a small card. If I am being honest, I was there to get a look at Cuban prospect Luis Garcia. I was also looking forward to seeing former Irish Amateur Champion Steven Ormond, who is now promoted by Lou DiBella. The reliable Ian Tims topped the bill, and as I scanned the rest of the fighters on the card nothing else really excited me.
Luis Garcia disposed of his opponent in two rounds, and Steven Ormond easily beat his opponent with his superior speed and accuracy, which was made evident by his dominant unanimous decision. As Robbie Long and Anthony Fitzgerald entered the ring, I did had no idea that I was about to witness one of the contenders for "All-Irish" Fight of the Year.
Fitzgerald started very well and had the best of the early exchanges, Long managed to drag himself back into the fight, and ground Fitzgerald down to emerge with the win. Referee Padraig McCullough scored it 58-56. I don't think anyone would have complained if it had been scored 57-57 or indeed 58-56 in favour of Fitzgerald. A rematch seemed inevitable.
Fast forward seven months since they last crossed paths, and the rematch had been made. Long's unblemished record had remained intact, while Fitzgerald took another defeat. Although Fitzgerald had bounced back well from his second loss, notching up another three wins, I felt there would be nagging doubts in the back of his mind. However, I expected Fitzgerald's pride to launch him to another level, as he had asked some tough questions of Long early in their first fight.
I had been asked by a friend of mine for a prediction for the rematch, and I advised that the only prediction that I could offer with any degree of accuracy is that the contest would be a candidate for Irish Fight of the Year. I am delighted to report that I was spot on!
The first round started off slower than I expected. It seemed each fighter wanted to test the water, rather than to allow the bout to descend into the brawl that had given them near legendary status within the close knit Irish boxing community for their previous encounter. By the second half of the round the fight was simmering nicely, with both fighters throwing the big punches and landing. Anthony Fitzgerald took this one on my card due to a higher degree of accuracy.
Round two began where round one left off, with Fitzgerald forced to eat several of Long's uppercuts. Both fighters were being anything but elusive. Although Robbie was coming into the fight at this stage and doing the better work out of the two, but just as I was about to prematurely mark the round down for Long, Fitzgerald landed a cracking left hook sending Robbie to the canvas. The Irish crowd erupted, half trying to give Robbie Long the energy to get back to his feet, the other half to applaud the fantastic hook that Fitzgerald had delivered.
Long made it back to his feet and within seconds the round was over, both warriors retreated to their respective corners.
As the referee invited both fighters to leave their corners for the third round, Robbie Long still looked shook up from being put down no more than ninety seconds prior. Fitzgerald was lying in wait with the smell of blood in his nostrils. He knew Long was there for the taking. He fired off some cruise missiles at the Tallaghtman and had him rocked.
In an instant it looked as if a switch had turned on in Robbie's head, and all of a sudden he was hitting Fitzgerald with big lefts and rights of his own. Long was beginning to turn the tide as the bell rang. Despite the brave rally from Long, Fitzgerald had another round in the bank on my card.
As the bell rang for the fourth round it seemed as if the Robbie Long I remembered from the first fight emerged, as he began hunting down Fitzgerald. Anthony was throwing punches in bunches, although Fitzgerald was able to use his superior boxing skills to slip many of the punches there is no doubt that Long was landing his fair share. Fitzgerald realized he couldn't stay on the ropes all night and sprang from the edge of the ring, distancing himself from Long as he worked his jab, with the intent of keeping Robbie away rather than scoring points.
Round five saw more of the same with Long stalking Fitzgerald and landing many shots, however Long did make for an easy target whenever Fitzgerald decided to trade. Long had won his second round of the fight on my card, and it was beginning to look like he might have a good chance of clawing his way back into this fight.
In the sixth round something strange and unusual happened Anthony, Fitzgerald tried to change the scrap into a boxing match! He used his jab more effectively as an offensive weapon and reaped the rewards. In doing so he dominated the first two thirds of the round, however Long had other plans and attempted to drag Fitzgerald back into the trenches. Both fighters had done enough to win the round with their respective "moments," however Fitzgerald's accuracy and ring generalship did enough to convince me that he should be awarded the round. Long would now need a knock down to take the fight.
Long continued to pressure Fitzgerald in the seventh and eighth, hoping to grind his man down as he had done to great effect in the first fight. Unfortunately for Robbie Long this was a different Anthony Fitzgerald, one who was as fresh in the eighth as he was in the first. Anthony used his jab again very effectively, and stayed away from Longs punch to negate any chance of getting knocked down. With twenty seconds to go Anthony was gesturing toward the ground in a victorious manner, moving backwards as Robbie Long was coming forward, trying to take his head off then the final bell rang. Both fighters embraced each other.
They had bared their souls in the ring and the entire crowd applauded them for it.
At the final bell I had it scored 78-73 for Fitzgerald, which would seem like quite a margin. On my drive home I couldn't help but wonder, what if Long hadn't been knocked down in that second round? I had him winning up until that point, that would have made the fight 77-75.
The look of immeasurable delight on Fitzgerald's face was intoxicating as the reality that he had avenged one of his losses set in on him.
The referee's scorecard read 77-75 Fitzgerald which I feel is extremely generous to Robbie Long. I try not to criticize referee's scoring, as their job is not one that I envy. Dave Irving is one of the finest referees in Ireland, however his scoring of this fight left me scratching my head, as I had it scored 78-73. My colleague Padraig Hoare, from Cork's Evening Echo paper, had the fight scored 78-74. The argument of the scoring is purely academic as the better man on the night won, however I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Anthony Fitzgerald did not score the knock down, and Robbie Long took the second round. How would Mr Irving have scored the remainder of the fight? Some questions are best left unansweredÂ…
I have no doubt in my mind that these two warriors will share a ring again early next year, to settle this once and for all in the rubber match. It might not have been the classic that Ward-Gatti, was or the technically beautiful war between Vazquez and Marquez, but these two fights have a special place in the heart of anyone who has witnessed them.
It is highly unusual for two Irish fighters evenly matched at similar points in their careers to be put in together. So far Ireland has been treated to Long - Fitzgerald I & II as well as the domestic classic that was Eddie Hyland – Oisin Fagan. The new breed of Irish promoters must be applauded for this, for far too long Irish fighters have been wrapped in cotton wool domestically. It would seem the biggest promoter in Ireland Brian Peters, who was in tonight's crowd, has taken note as he has made attempts to match Andy Lee with John Duddy. There is also talk of an all Irish clash between Matt Macklin and Andy Lee for the European Title next year. The future of Irish boxing has never looked better.