Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Boxing: Elgin welterweight Andrew Smart targets Scottish title rematch after ‘gutting’ points defeat in Aberdeen

"It is gutting as after those years of training the Scottish title was going to be the icing on the cake. I want a rematch'. Elgin welterweight Andrew Smart wants another crack at the national belt, and Robbie Graham

Andrew Smart, right. Image: Scott Baxter
Andrew Smart, right. Image: Scott Baxter

Elgin welterweight Andrew Smart has called for a Scottish title rematch after a “gutting” points defeat to Robbie Graham.

Smart suffered a 97-94 loss in the “Last Man Standing” title showdown at the Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen on Saturday.

Both fighters put their undefeated records on the line in the top-of-the-bill clash.

Smart was confident he had won the title after the regulation 10 rounds, but was left “gutted” when the decision on the referee’s scorecard went against him.

He felt the national belt had been “ripped away” from him after a dramatic clash.

Now the 29-year-old wants another chance to claim the prestigious title by facing Graham again.

Smart said: “I want a rematch.

“It is gutting as after all those years of training – the Scottish title was going to be the icing on the cake.

“However, it has been ripped away from me.

“This loss has fired me up to try to become even better.

“I just have to keep going and get the rematch.”

Smart’s frustration at title decision

Four boxers put their undefeated records on the line for a shot at the Scottish title.

Smart overcame Paul Deas 57-56 at the Ice Centre, Inverness, last September to secure his place in the title showdown.

Graham defeated Kyle Boyd 58-56 in Paisley the following month.

In the title clash, Smart overcame the setback of an early knockdown and standing count to assert himself in the bout.

Smart used his accurate left jab effectively and regularly landed a heavy right over the top.

The Elgin boxer also connected with a number of punishing body shots.

Smart is adamant he did enough to win the title.

Andrew Smart. Image: Scott Baxter

He said: “I felt I had won pretty clearly by a few rounds, but the referee obviously didn’t think so.

“The referee could have done more.

“When he said break, both of us are meant to take a step back.

“I was taking a step back and he was taking a step forward and the ref wasn’t doing anything about it.

“It is what it is, Graham got the win.”

‘I was the far better boxer’

Following a distinguished amateur career, Smart, of Northern Sporting Club, turned professional in 2018.

He had a flawless record of six wins from six fights prior to facing Graham.

Edinburgh-based Graham, 28, also went into the bout with a 100% return of four wins from four fights.

Elgin welterweight Andrew Smart. Image: Scott Baxter

Smart said: “I was the far better boxer as I kept it tight and hurt him.

“I had him hurt four or five times to the body, but just didn’t capitalise on it.

“I was battering him around all the time, the 97-94 score doesn’t even make sense.

“I felt good and still strong in the last couple of rounds.

“However, I can complain all I want, but it is not going to change anything.

“I will keep training and come out better.”

Graham open to rematch with Smart

Graham has confirmed he would be open to facing Smart in a Scottish welterweight title rematch – however, any rematch would have to be on his home soil this time.

Graham said: “I would like to defend my title probably next, but there could now be other opportunities out there for me.

“I would be up for a rematch, but I would want it in Edinburgh, on my home soil.

“I’ve earned that right.”

Conversation