Scarrott takes title - and Stewart fumes

Scarrott (left) and Stewart. Picture: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

BOXING is subjective, debate over the rights or wrongs of results fuel interest in our sport.

Every fan is entitled to an opinion.

And my opinion, after watching from ringside Jamie Scarrott’s Midlands welterweight title win over Jamie Stewart at the H Suite, Edgbaston, on Friday night, is a sea mile from referee Chris Dean’s interpretation of the 10 rounder.

Mr Dean, a fine, respected official, had Worcester’s Scarrott, only 20 and taking part in his sixth bout, a handy, 97-93 winner.

I had Stewart, a tough Potteries war horse, winning the H Suite, Edgbaston, bout by the same wide margin.

That is a difference of opinion – and then some. But I accept the bout was, to some degree, a case of what you like.

Writers can get it terribly wrong, they can focus too much on one aspect of one fighter’s game. But, after reporting from ringside for 48 years, I seldom get it that wrong.

I’m prepared to quibble about the rounds – and I may have been overly generous to Stewart, but I’ll stick to my guns about the winner.

I’ve no axe to grind, no allegiance – I’m a Black Country writer covering a Black Country Promotions bill who has no ties to the Stoke fight scene.

Scarrott show the title belt he won on Friday night

Scarrott, from Worcester, is a talented fighter who will have learned important lessons from his first venture over the championship distance.

I’d spoken to 31-year-old Stewart only once – briefly – before last night’s battle.

It would be easier to tow the line and simply chronicle the action. But you have to be honest and my honest opinion – no malice, no bias – is that Stewart won. Handily. No agenda.

Mr Dean’s wide margin stifles calls for a re-match, but I implore Matt Harris, progressive head of the Midlands Board of Control, to stage the title fight again.

Scarrott, having tested the championship waters, may be a very different proposition next time round.

In the fight’s immediate aftermath, I presented that opinion to both a senior Boxing Board of Control official and Scarrott, a boxer from a traveller background.

“You’re entitled to your opinion,” the winner said sportingly. “I thought I won seven, eight rounds.

“I felt good,” said Scarrott. “I could have done more to make it easier, but it was my first ten rounds, and I boxed well. I knew my job would be important, and I learned a lot from the experience. Hopefully now I can push on and land a big fight or one on TV next. “

  Stewart saw things very differently. “I won every round,” he told me. “I’ve come from a life where you realise not everything is fair and I’ve realised that’s the same in boxing.”

“That’s a lot of hard work for nothing,” he added.

I felt Stewart (10st 8oz) dictated behind a left jab that drilled Scarrott’s guard repeatedly. This was a very different boxer than the one who I witnessed going to war against Ray Moylette and Ben Fields.

In the twilight years of his career, Stewart’s team have taught the old dog new tricks, which is hard to do. They’ve turned the slugger into a boxer – and he staged a boxing masterclass.

Scarrott (10st 1lb 2oz) had his successes, notably in the fourth and eighth when he managed to pin his elusive opponent against the ropes and land hooks. And he certainly upped the tempo down the stretch.

But he needed more head movement and came forward in straight lines rather than cutting off the ring.