I think Fitzgerald has the mental edge which counts for a lot. He's more of a warrior (or "fighting man") for me and in my opinion Fowler lost the Fitzgerald fight partly because he became too emotionally invested and reckless. Another reason I say that is because after the Rose fight, Fowler was interviewed on Sky slagging Fitzgerald off - Fitzgerald is inside his head even now. Fitzgerald has put on weight and is out of shape. I think, in a similar way to Josh Warrington, he has the grit and spirit to exceed expectations and have a good career. Unlike Warrington though, he doesn't 'live the life' whereas Fowler clearly does. I think Fowler needs to fight Cheeseman next for the right to get that rematch he craves. If he gets through that, and I think he would, it would be amazing to have any Fitzgerald rematch at Deepdale. Fitzgerald beat Fowler in Liverpool (which really upset Fowler I think) so it's only fair for me if the rematch is in Fitzy's patch.
I agree. It’s just my opinion but I believe Fowler is the better fighter, but the mind games in the way Fitzgerald got inside his head was brilliant and Fowler ultimately let his ego take over and he got dropped as a result. Fitzgerald deserved his victory.
Whilst I am obviously a Fitzgerald fan, I scored the fight as I saw it and I gave Rounds 1,2,3 and 9 to Fowler. The other 6 I gave to Fitzgerald. I remember screaming / shouting at the end of Round 4, in reference to Fowler, "He's gassed! Fowlers gassed!!". Thus proved to be the case. That and the facts that Fowler, who had predicted 5 Rounds and a KO, seemed shocked that Scott wasn't wobbling like previous opponents, shocked that he held the centre of the ring, shocked that he couldn't bully him. Fowler was like a rabbit in headlights at this stage. Confused. As I posted in my thread in August 2018, Scott is a slicker fighter whilst Fowler, what I had seen of him up to then ( August 2018) appeared to be more of a brawler. The majority on here were backing Fowler. If a re-match does happen, Fitzy will again win. He knows that he can put Fowler away. The problem for Fowler is that mentally, he knows this, too. Full fight here. I'll never ever tire of watching this. This content is protected
It was a close fight but Fitzgerald was outboxing him for large parts I felt. Many in the crowd also thought Fowler was losing. You’re right. Without the knockdown Fowler would have won on the scorecards. Last night raised more questions for me. An old, slowed down Rose who has no power was landing stuff on Fowler that would cause damage from someone else. Granted Rose is a nice boxer but Fowler should have dealt with him better. Fowler knew Rose’s power couldn’t have hurt him and I’m not having all this ‘mature performance’ stuff he wanted to knock him out... and couldn’t. Fitzgerald has the power to make Fowler think twice about coming on and I honestly think Fitzgerald is the better boxer on the outside with far better footwork and shot selection. You’re right about the way he lives his life. Fowler is so dedicated. That was my concern going into the first fight. Would Fitzgerald have the engine if his supposed antics were true. He had admitted in past about being lazy in camp etc. I couldn’t tell you but maybe this was Fowler making more out of this because he looked just as fit as Fowler the machine in the last one. Either way it’s a close one but I’d slightly lean towards Fitzgerald again. I had him for the stoppage last time. I felt people were sleeping on a fellow GB lad massively and the odds were brilliant. Hearn had barely shown him on tele which seemed weird considering he looks like a decent ticket seller, so people assumed it’d be a Fowler walkover. I’d love to see it again but at the end of the day why should Fitzgerald risk it? He won and should be wanting to push on. Hopefully they’ll meet later when the stakes are higher.
I don’t agree with your scoring but you’re a top poster and fan of Fitzgerald so you get a ‘like’ from me, bud.
I’m going to watch this again see if I see anything different. I’ve only watched it live and extended highlights. You’re right, how much Fitzgerald, the smaller man held centre ringing that fight shocked me.
I'm full of respect for you, too. One of my favourite posters. You know far more than myself regards other fighters. It is from people such as yourself - being serious here - that I learn new things regards other boxers whom I might not be fully aware of. It's why I love this forum.
I hope Fowler progresses and we get the Beefy fight. Id love it. A better version of Paul Smith vs Dodson. North vs South. Fowler may end up at 11st 6 too soon for that fight though.
Boxing fans can be a funny bunch. They don't half write people off or overrate them on the basis of one fight. Personally I don't think Fowler will improve much, if at all, but he could certainly game plan differently. Whislt Fitzgerald may never box like that again, that could turn out to be his ceiling. He may well go on to smash it, who knows? Certainly none of us. Still wouldn't mind seeing fitzy -rose and Fowler cheesman next to be honest.
Just watched it back. For about the 7th time. Going into the 10th, both Nelson and Macklin (Macklin who changed his view after the 10th) had Fowler in front agreeing with @Twentyman whilst Clarke and Froch going into the 10th agreed with myself. Clarke had an identical scorecard to myself. I guess it is what makes this sport great. Opinions. To @Furious who suggested that the re-match, should it happen, be at Deepdale, yeah baby!!! The dream. Are you from Preston or near by @Furious?
Near the midlands at the moment - big fan of Fitzy. Just think a fight at deepdale would be great for Preston and would be an amazing spectacle.
