Q&A - Ed Robinson

For any fans of our Q&A feature, or fans of the sweet science in general, this edition is a must read. We got to pick the brains of one of the most knowledgeable men in the sport of boxing. Without further hesitation, read on to find out the thoughts of Ed Robinson.

British Boxing Blog - How did you originally get involved in boxing?

Ed Robinson - To answer that would take a book and some of the motivation for actually boxing I’d rather not talk about. Simply put - I didn’t know of any boxing in my family but discovered it myself on the TV. Then I found Ceefax, Boxing News, Ring magazine, KO magazine, the VHS tapes you could get in Woolworths, checking the sports pages in the newsagents…

When I was old enough I walked into Reading ABC and never looked back. I had my first amateur bout at the Hilton, Park Lane on Valentines’ Day 1992. While I was at University in London I ended up working for Frank Maloney over the Summer on the Lewis v Bruno show. I started out doing press cuttings, making tea, cleaning the office, whatever I could. Soon I was writing programme notes and general admin with the shows. When I finished my degree Frank offered me a job, I was there four years. Then I went to work for Frank Warren as a press officer. Both Frank’s were kind to give me a chance.

I’d also started doing the Punch-stats for Sky boxing in my spare time and working closely with them, so they offered me a junior role. I’ve been full time on the boxing at Sky since 1998 and the sport has basically been my life since long before that.

It’s funny because I recently found out that my granny’s cousin boxed Tony Sims’ uncle as a pro. Small World.

BBB - Who are your boxing idols?

ER - Roberto Duran was my hero when I wanted to be a boxer. I’ve met him a few times and he is still my favourite ever fighter.

That said, since I’ve stopped boxing I’ve realised that my heroes are actually the people who gave up their time to help me, when it was obvious I wasn’t that good. I first walked into Reading ABC on my own as an angry teenager and I’d watched so much boxing that I shaped up okay. They put me straight in to spar with local pro Adrian Riley and I did okay. Austin Owens was the trainer there, he pulled me aside afterwards and told me that I had a lot of character. I wanted to cry, I don’t think anyone had ever said anything that nice to me.

He is the most amazing gentleman you could ever meet. When I moved to London at 18 I joined Battersea ABC but I’d still pop back. I remember taking Howard Eastman to Reading to spar but Adrian couldn’t make it. Austin, a former pro featherweight under Terry Lawless, put on the gloves and moved around with him. He was so skilful but cuts had shortened his career. He’d do anything for anyone, if you walked round Reading with him everyone knew him and respected him.

Dean Powell later introduced me to Mick Carney down the Fitzroy Lodge and I started training there. That is an amazing gym, Mick was a hard man to please and he didn’t really lower his guard until I’d packed in the boxing. I made the documentary ‘Lodge Boys’ to try and say thanks to him for all he did for us. Nigel Travis, who was team captain down there, is still one of my closest friends in boxing. Mark Reigate the head trainer at the Lodge and Eddie Lam, who works with Al Smith likewise.

The actor Johnny Harris, who was a junior ABA champion and once sparred Azumah Nelson, is a Lodge Boy. He’s currently making a film that I think is part inspired by Mick, it’s called ‘Jawbone’ and stars Ray Winstone, Ian McShane and Michael Smiley. I think it’s going to be a bit special.

As a pro I worked with Colin Wilson, who trained the likes of P.J. Gallagher, Vince Feeney and Anthony McFadden. His sons were so talented, Ian retired unbeaten as a pro due to back problems. Colin is a man you would definitely want by your side going into battle. Or maybe a little ahead of you!

I feel so grateful to have met these great people.

BBB - Your pro career only lasted 3 bouts (2 wins and a loss), what made you call it a day?

ER - I just wasn’t good enough. Plus I couldn’t fit in boxing amateur with my work so I had to make a choice. I decided to have one pro fight to say that I’d done it. I won, retired and then started going out and being silly. I felt a bit lost and needed the money so I had one more just before my license was due to expire. I asked Dean to get me Alvar Coppard, who had beaten me in Reading in a fight where the crowd had thrown nobbins into the ring afterwards. I wasn’t in the best shape, had some problems before hand, walked out and was dropped, got up and it was stopped. I didn’t know I’d been down until I was told so in the dressing room. It’s humiliating to lose like that in front of just about everyone you care about.

The loss ate away at me and so three years later I had one more to go out on a win. I was so nervous, too intense and full of self-doubt. I was working at Sky and it was a televised card and I just put too much pressure on myself. I boxed poorly but it was a decent fight and I dropped my opponent before winning on points. Then I had a little cry when I got home.

There are excuses to why I lost and I’m sure that every time I won, whoever I boxed has excuses to why they lost. That’s life.

BBB - You are very well known for your work with Sky Sports, how did you make the transition from in the ring to on screen?

ER - Bit by bit I’ve been given chances at Sky. It’s been a very gradual process. It’s a bit like when I was boxing because I am not a natural but you keep trying to learn, to be better and overcome nerves and anxiety. I’ve travelled and ticked just about every box as a fan. I have been very lucky, I never forget that.

BBB - As someone who is clearly very knowledgeable about the sport, how much fun was working on Ringside and the Toe 2 Toe podcasts?

ER - I love the podcast because it’s just a chat about boxing, you just go into a booth and get it done. Ringside was usually a live TX so there was inevitably stress involved with the production. My favourite part of the job has always been to go to gyms with a cameraman and then create something in an edit suite. Other than that it’s the people I work with, at Sky, at the shows, the trainers, whips, cuts-men, the ex-fighters, the characters, the soap opera of it all. Plus I get to watch a lot of boxing. At my desk I don’t get in trouble for watching a fight or going on twitter, I hope you’re jealous!

BBB - Can you shed any light on why Ringside is now only available as online content? A lot of boxing fans miss the weekly TV slot!

ER - Obviously those kind of decisions are way above my station but I will say that the World changes and you have to get ahead of the curve. I personally miss an hour long show but the figures for our daily online content show that we’re reaching a massive cross over audience. There’s a new generation who just won’t wait until Thursday to hear news. If there is a fight announced or an incident at a weigh-in you want to see it on line within minutes.

BBB - Who is your favourite active boxer?

ER - It doesn’t seem fair to pick one that I know personally or work with so I’ll go International. It maybe a little uninspired but I’ll go GGG. Just love his style and attitude.

BBB - Which prospect should we keep our eye on in 2016?

ER - Amateur; Shakur Stevenson, the young American who has just qualified for Rio. The Games may have come a year too soon for him but he looks a special talent. In the pro game Oleksandr Usyk looks a champion in waiting at cruiserweight and I think he could make an impact at heavyweight.

BBB - As a boxing fan, which fight would you like to be made this year?

ER - Fury v Joshua in the Autumn, IF they win their respective fights coming up. That call is partly because I’d hope to be working on it!

BBB - What are your thoughts on "Khanelo" (and apologies for referring to it as such)?

ER - Bold move, all credit to Amir and thanks to Al Haymon. I think Amir can win but there seem so many ‘if’s’ involved with him getting in right for every second of every round. I hope I’m wrong but it’s hard to imagine Amir, who is often too brave by nature, not getting tagged and unravelling at some stage.

BBB - And finally, we owe a certain Mr. Fearon a great deal for answering our first ever Q&A. He told us his favourite Ed in boxing. Who is your favourite Spencer? Fearon or Oliver?

ER - That’s like asking me which of my children do I love the best! We’ve all known each other for so long we’re family.

We always thank our interviewees and this is no different. However we would truly like to give a massive thanks to Ed for his in depth answers and providing us with a fascinating insight on boxing.