Rise of a Champion – Andrew Robinson’s journey to the IBO Crown – Part 1

BY MKUU AMANI

On March 24th, 2018 Birmingham boxer Andrew ‘D’Animal’ Robinson and Brighton’s Nicky Jenman went toe to toe for ten rounds at the Genting Arena in Birmingham. The International Boxing Organization Continental Middleweight Title was on the line and, after a hard-fought contest, it was Robinson who emerged victorious. It took ten rounds to decide the victor but the new Champion’s journey to the title began way before the bell had been rang to signal the beginning of the first round.

“I’ve sacrificed everything to make it in this sport. I missed my babies’ first steps, their school plays and their swimming lessons, but it’s all been so that I can provide for them and give them a good life and a Dad they can be proud of.” Andrew Robinson.

2012 was a year that will be remembered by many. And for many different reasons.

From recollections of the highly rated London Olympics to heart-rendering thoughts of the Afghan War, mentioning that year is liable to provoke a wealth of diverse memories.

It was the year we suffered the tragic death of the magnificent African American singer Whitney Houston. It was also the year that saw US President Barack Obama re-elected for a second term, and that a stoppage-time goal scored by Sergio Aguero won Manchester City the Premier League.

And for twenty-seven-year-old Andrew Robinson, 2012 was the year that he made his professional boxing debut.

The date was June 22^nd, 2012.

The young boxer who grew up in Birmingham, travelled to the city of Wolverhampton, where – in the same West Midlands venue that British boxing hero Henry Cooper had knocked out Chip Johnson in 1965 and Jefferson Davis in 1966, he would fight the 31-year-old middleweight southpaw, Bobby Wood.

By the time his bout with Robinson had come around, Walsall lad Bobby Wood had become a seasoned professional boxer, making his 22^nd professional appearance.

Fifteen years have passed since the Civic Hall last staged a professional boxing event, but in those days, according to some, it was the best boxing venue in the UK.

It was there, surrounded by the red, white and blue ropes that enclosed the squared circle, amidst the sweat and heat of an atmosphere charged by a vocal and passionate Midlands crowd, that Robinson’s pro boxing career began.

Fighting on the undercard of the Jason Welborn versus Scott Haywood Midlands Area welterweight title fight, and under the watchful eye of referees Gareth Morris and Terry O’Connor, Robinson grabbed his first pro win.

The light heavyweight bout was scheduled for six rounds and went the distance, with Robinson grabbing the victory via a 59-55 points decision.

Looking back, Robinson said.

“I came late to it (the sport). I wasn’t one of those boxers who start at the age of eight or nine. I was eighteen and had previously been a power builder. Of the four mates that I joined the gym with in Dudley, I was the only one who stuck it out even though it was two and half hours there and back every day from my home in Redditch.” Robinson, speaking to BCB Promotions. Oct 2019.

His next outing took place in Birmingham. He was up against another southpaw making his debut, Vaclav Skromach. This time they fought at Super Middleweight.

Robinson, now the slightly more experienced of the two boxers, stopped the Czech Republic born fighter in the final round of their bristling four-round encounter.

He stayed at super middleweight for his next three bouts.

Following his win over Skromach came some eye-catching victories. A return to Wolverhampton Civic Hall for a points win against Dan Phelps before heading to Walsall Town Hall, for the first time in his professional career.

While all the hype surrounded the headline British Welterweight Title fight between Frankie Gavin and Jason Welborn, and the British Light Heavyweight Title fight between Martin Gethin and Ben Murphy, a memorable performance by Robinson also caught the eye.

He made light work of Nuneaton born John Mason – the first-round stoppage came with just three seconds left in the round and extended his unbeaten run to four straight wins.

A busy, unbeaten 2013 for Robinson galvanized his growing reputation in the sport. The Mason win was the first of six bouts that year. A points win over the Lithuanian Kiril Psonko came next before Robinson headed to Dudley, where he carved out a points win against Jody Meikle, also known as One Man Riot in a light heavyweight encounter.

Back at super-middleweight, Robinson claimed victories over Gilson De Jesus (pts), Kieron Gray (pts), and in his final bout of the year, Mark Till (pts).

Hull boxer Luke Allon was making a return to the ring after a four-year absence when he fought Robinson in March 2014. His one defeat in five bouts during a stint that lasted from 2008 to 2010 suggested that he may be capable of causing Robinson some problems.

But he unraveled in the fifth round and was floored twice as Robinson secured a stoppage victory.

By October 2014, and courtesy of a further succession of exceptional performances, Robinson’s form and impressive win streak had done enough to convince Frank Warren and Queensbury Promotions that he was ready for his first title challenge.

On a fight card including Dereck Chisora versus Tyson Fury, Billy Joe Saunders versus Chris Eubank Jr and Frankie Gavin versus Bradley Skeete, Robinson, now 13-0-0, would challenge for the vacant WBO European Super Middleweight title.

In a televised clash scheduled for November 2014 at Excel Arena in London, he was up against the big-hitting Londoner, Frank ‘Wise Guy’ Buglioni.