I DON’T LOOK BACKWARDS: SEAN ROBINSON INTERVIEW

Photo by Simon Downing

Last year Sean Robinson moved his career on admirably; the twenty four year old could have stagnated or taken more safety first fights. Not all of it went his way, but he’s continuing to take on tough tasks when he faces Adrian Martin on March 21st at York Hall in an English Super Welterweight Title eliminator.

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Fighting four times in 2019, Robinson first graduated to title level, beating (Team Southpaw Jab’s) Hollywood Josh Ejakpovi over ten rounds for the Southern Area Super Welterweight Title in March. A defence in June against the tough, seasoned John Brennan was scored even, with both fighters claiming they really won. That is pretty normal, but personally I thought Robinson did enough.

Then, in September, the Ruislip fighter entered the Ultimate Boxxer tournament at London’s O2. Unanimously beating Lewis Syrett on points in the quarter final, Sean then lost out to former Olympian and eventual tournament winner, Steven Donnelly in the semi final. As years go for boxers, it was a step forwards; even with the loss to Donnelly. Sean knows that,

“Ultimate boxer was a great tournament and I feel I got a lot of exposure from it. Obviously I now have a loss on my record but I don’t feel like I have if that makes sense. I lost by one point over three rounds and I’m sure the result would have been different over 10.”

He was growing into the Donnelly fight, and was the only fighter not to be stopped by the Northern Irishman in the three round limit. However, Robinson believes the Brennan bout is the one he took the most from as a fighter, “it was a grueling fight and it showed me I can dig deep and perform when the going gets tough, it also highlighted areas i need to improve in.”

The weekend before he fights later this month, Sean’s old Southern Area title is up for grabs, when unbeaten, heavy handed Dean Richardson takes on Reading fighter, Konrad Stempkowski. I ask whether he has an eye on that contest.

“No If I’m honest. I don’t look backwards; I’ve won the Southern Area title and defended it so I’m not keeping an eye on that.” adding that if whoever wins is an opponent down the line, “then I’ll worry about them.”

Next up is Adrian Martin who boasts a very similar record to Sean- with only a loss to the awkward Jumaane Camero on his ledger. Taking place on a very impressive Goodwin Boxing show at York Hall on March 21st, it is a big fight, offering an English title shot to the winner, though that strap isn’t all Sean can look forward to with a victory,

“A win will put me in contention for the English Title next, but I’m not just thinking about the English Title, a win here could open up other avenues and bigger opportunities.

He’s [Adrian Martin] a good, tough fighter. I’ve trained extremely hard for this so I’m ready to get in there on the night and perform again… I’m just focusing on what I do well not what he does.”

It’s a great fight, one where both fighters are risking a trip back to area level with a loss. Martin has three knockouts on his record, where Robinson is still waiting to break his duck. However, that means very little at this stage, Sean was able to keep the bullish Brennan off him for ten rounds with a mixture of skill and strength and at only twenty four is improving all the time.

The men are about even in height and both orthodox fighters, but I haven’t seen Martin box, so a prediction would be based on nothing more than a lopsided evidence stack. I will be at the show though and am very much excited for the fight. Steve Goodwin (and Kevin Campion) know how to put on a good show, with well matched fights and fighters willing to roll the dice to advance their careers.

Robinson trains at Club KO Boxing, and his close friend and training partner Linus Udofia will defend his English Middleweight Title again on the same show as Sean. Coincidentally, he will also be fighting John Brennan, who has stepped up a weight. In Sean’s eyes size may work in Linus’s favour, though he warns his gym mate will need to be at his best,

“Linus is a big Middleweight and I think it will be difficult for John Brennan to deal with Linus’ size in my opinion but it all comes down to how they perform on the night.”

Having tasted live TV and a bigger venue than York Hall, when he competed in Ultimate Boxxer at Indigo at The O2, Robinson is keen for more tastes of the big occasions, but not to make up the numbers,

“My main goal would be to perform at the 02 Arena on a live televised show. Not just on the undercard when no one’s there but in a fight on TV with a packed crowd. I’ve been to many shows at the 02 and would love to be a part of a night like that.”

Beat Adrian Martin, and the possibility edges ever closer. Lose and there’s a lot more work to do to achieve this goal. It’s risk versus reward and as last year proved, Robinson doesn’t fear taking risks- and will only be looking forward.