\n<\/p>\n
Erik Robles stunned Lee McGregor to claim the vacant IBO super-bantamweight world title in a gripping bout at Meadowbank.<\/span><\/p>\n After a captivating 12 rounds in Edinburgh, the Scot’s homecoming fight ended in heartbreak after all three judges scored in favour of the Mexican.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The defeat is the first of McGregor’s career after 14 bouts, while Robles’ record now stands at 14 wins and one loss in 15.<\/span><\/p>\n The Mexican had a rowdy crowd against him, but he started strong in the first round by putting the home favourite under serious pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n McGregor responded, though, with good jab work and a nice body shot in an electric introduction. That did little to derail Robles, who maintained his impressive start in the second with precision and power in his combinations.<\/span><\/p>\n McGregor, known for starting slow and finishing strong, improved in the third despite having to deal with relentless flurries from the rapid gloves of the Mexican.<\/span><\/p>\n The early pace of Robles was unsustainable and that became noticeable in the fourth as McGregor took advantage and looked to get a foothold in the fight with hard-hitting uppercuts and shots to the body.<\/span><\/p>\n However, when questions started to be asked about Robles’ endurance, the Mexican would eliminate those doubts with quickfire combinations and smart movement. <\/span><\/p>\n McGregor, meanwhile, was having to show his “big heart” earlier than he would have hoped with the bout at the halfway stage.<\/span><\/p>\n The Scot’s seventh and eighth rounds were more about guile than guts, with a strategy of taking shots from distance, including two big left hands, proving fruitful.<\/span><\/p>\n The ninth brought another level of intrigue considering it was the first time Robles had ever been as far in a professional fight, but the man from Mexico never looked too deep after delivering a strong finish to the round.<\/span><\/p>\n The energy levels of both fighters were questioned early in the tenth. Then, bang. Robles unleashed in the centre of the ring before McGregor hit back with a stunning left and a crunching body shot that left the Mexican holding on.<\/span><\/p>\n A captivating encounter continued to ebb and flow in the penultimate round, with McGregor doing a mix of eating and blocking bursts from Robles.<\/span><\/p>\n A raucous Meadowbank crowd helped drag McGregor through the 12th as a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland rang around the venue, with both fighters raising their hands at the final bell. <\/span><\/p>\n However, it was Robles’ glove the referee would lift when it mattered as McGregor dropped to the canvas in heartbreak.<\/span><\/p>\n Ten weeks ago, the Scot doubted whether his boxing could continue after a two-year spell littered with injuries, postponed fights, financial worries and family concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite defeat, the Scot should not let this defeat derail a career that still promises so much at the age of 26.<\/span><\/p>\n