Warner has to wait a little longer for debut

Robbie-Lee Warner…was scheduled to fight this Friday in Wolverhampton

THE pro debut of Robbie-Lee Warner, scheduled for Friday, has been delayed.

The Stratford super-fly, whose ambition is to be bigger than Shakespeare in his hometown, was to have made his bow on BCB’s big bill at the Hangar, Wolverhampton.

The 22-year-old said the bout had been scrubbed because of “complications” beyond his control.

“I’m pretty gutted about it,” Warner said. “I found out about it just over a week ago. I’m hoping to be out in June or July.”

In a stop-start, 13 year amateur career, Robbie flitted from gym to gym, had around 30 bouts, but failed to make a title impact. Even then he had a big following, selling more than 100 tickets for one show.

He said: “I did sell tickets for my pro debut, but the majority of people have said keep the ticket money for the re-scheduled date.

“It’s pretty heartbreaking, but the way I see it, it just gives me extra time to prepare for bigger fireworks.

“It’s one of those things. I’m still in training, will stay in camp and not come out of camp. I’m just going through my gears and training. The only way is up.”

In popular Warner, the game has gained a colourful character.

When he revealed his pro plans, Robbie made headlines by announcing: “I want to get the town behind me, show that it’s about more than tourism, show that there’s more to it than just Shakespeare. He is boring to me, I think there is so much more to Stratford.

“I want to be better known than Shakespeare.”

The lad has just encountered his first slice of Bard luck.