Debut Corner with Jacob Robinson
Featured on Debut Corner this week is amateur hopeful Jacob Robinson; with a former world champion Steve Robinson as a father, he looks to have a good pedigree.
BBN caught up with Jacob prior to his first professional appearance, we spoke about his amateur progression, his admiration of his dad’s achievements and how he plans to go about his business in the professional ranks.
What made you want to start boxing?
“Well I have been boxing since I was eight or nine, it came through my dad and older brother really, as he was also pro for a bit, so yeah it came from those two really.”
Who was your boxing hero growing up and why?
“Obviously my dad, and what he achieved, he went from starting on the small shows, and went all the way to the top, so yeah, its got to be my dad”
How old were you when you had your first fight and how did you do?
“I was fourteen, I boxed in the novice championships, Welsh amateur championships, I had the semi final and the final, so I boxed twice in them and once I won I just had the bug for it, really."
How well did you do in the amateurs?
“I didn’t have as many amateur fights as I wanted to, I only had twenty three in the end, when I was an amateur and supposed to be fighting guys, they used to pull out all the time.
I won a couple of Welsh titles, I won a Welsh title at junior level, youth level and went to the final of the British CYP championship in my last year as a youth – I thought I got robbed in that.
As a senior then, I won one Welsh title but that was at flyweight, that was back in 2014, so yeah, I didn’t have as many amateur fights but I always boxed boys that were much more senior than me.”
What made you decide to turn pro?
“I think my style is more suited to the pro game, I take my time more, I pick my shots, I always set up my punches.
I don’t think that works as much in the amateur game, I could have spent another year in the amateurs and maybe made the commonwealth games team, but we decided to turn over to the professional game.
What team do you have around you?
“Just my dad and my brother at the moment, my dads my manager and trainer and my brother helps out with training so it will be my dad and my brother in the corner which is the best combination!
We train in Cardiff at the moment, and travel to other gyms for sparring, but based in Ufit Cardiff and St joseph’s boxing gym in Newport.”
Are you full-time as a pro?
“Yeah I’m full time as a pro now, probably for the last four or five months now, so always flat out training.”
What sort of fighting style do you have?
“I’m a box fighter, I’m a right handed south paw; I can box and fight a bit. I would say I’m a natural counter puncher; I like to wait, sit back and draw them in,
Now I have turned over pro, I can fight a bit more!”
What ambitions do you have for your pro career?
“Well I have set my sights on winning a British title as a pro, that’s my aim, to turn pro and win a British title, and anything after that will be a bonus,
My dad thinks if I try hard and put the work in, then I could go all the way but my sights on the British title, for next year I want to be a busy as I can, fight four to six times.”
When is your first fight and who will be there in support?
“My first fight is on Friday the 15th of December at Merthyr Leisure Centre, I’ve got a pretty good support, I have sold quite a few tickets for it now, so that’s gone well and I should have a good support there.”