ANDREW Robinson may have lost the battle but he’s sure he’s won the war as he looks to continue his professional boxing career.

The 30-year-old suffered his first defeat since leaving the amateur ranks when he was on the wrong end of a unanimous points decision in Saturday’s WBO European super-middleweight title clash against Frank Buglioni.

Over ten gruelling rounds the London-based fighter got the verdict at the ExCel Arena, but Robinson felt he came close to pulling off a surprise result.

Robinson had worked hard over a testing fight and staggered his tough opponent late in the ninth round with a fierce right hook which left Buglioni needing stitches over his eye.

The Redditch fighter felt another strong right hand then troubled his opponent, who was backed by a vociferous home crowd, in the final round before the fight was awarded to his rival.

But the bout was named the fight of the night, which was impressive considering the likes of Tyson Fury, Dereck Chisora, Chris Eubank Jr and Frankie Gavin fought on the event, which was televised by BoxNation.

Most impressively, legendary promoter and manager Frank Warren, the man behind BoxNation, is keen for Robinson to feature again on the channel again in March.

He said: “A lot of people told me the fight was a draw but I felt I gave it everything I had.

“I hit Frank with a strong right hook at the end of the ninth but unfortunately the bell rang and it was too late.

“But a lot of people said ours was the best fight of the night and Frank Warren has already said he’d like me on the next event in March.

“I feel I have made sure I have a future in the sport and that even though I lost there is a lot more to come.”

Buglioni also praised Robinson, tweeting: “Credit to Andy Robinson. Tough, tough man and a gent outside the ring. Wish him all the best for his career!”