By Michael Kinney
The Moore American
TULSA
May 16, 2007 02:36 pm
—
Stephanie Dobbs’ big night went exactly like it was supposed to all the up to the very end. Unfortunately for the Moore native, that is when the night turned into an nightmare.
For 10 rounds, Dobbs bullied and attacked Terri Moss around the ring as the two ladies fought for the vacant WIBF 104-pound world title in Tulsa Thursday at the Crown Plaza Hotel. When it was over, Dobbs expected her hand to be raised in victory.
But when the judges announced that Moss had won a split decision, it caught the Dobbs off guard for the first time that night.
“After the fight I said I got it,” Dobbs said. “Then they said split decision I said it won’t look good, but I knew I had still won. When it was her name announced as the winner, it was like I faded to black. I don’t understand it. There was nothing else I could or should have done differently.
“I just had no idea. It was more like bewilderment, then the anger came out.”
The loss dropped Dobbs to 25-25-6. But one look at the judges’ scoring, it is easy to see why Dobbs felt she won.
One judge scored the fight 9-1 in 26-year-old Dobbs’ favor. The other two had it 7-3 and 8-2 for Moss (9-9).
“She ran and I came after her,” Dobbs said. “I missed a lot of punches, but I threw three times as many. She would run and use her jab. I felt like I landed the bigger, harder shots. She never snapped my head back like I did hers. She was tired in the final rounds and I was getting stronger. I felt really good.”
Dobbs said she thought she won 8-2 or at least 7-3.
Despite the controversial ending, Dobbs has no thoughts on retiring. Even though she already holds the record for most fights by a female fighter, she wants to be the first to reach 60.
But more importantly, Dobbs still has not reached her goal of winning a major title, such as the one she was fighting for last week. Until then she plans to do all she can to make sure she doesn’t have a title taken away from her in the same manner.
“It was one of my best fights,” Dobbs said. “I am still learning. Retirement doesn’t cross my mind at all. I am still getting better. I am just a little bit off. I will be able to beat those girls and it will look one sided so there is no doubt.
“I will win a title.
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