“There’s much more to come” - Robinson

Andrew Robinson…wide points winner on Sunday

RUGGED Andrew Robinson, former British title challenger, admits he hates four round contests.

The tough middle is built for the long haul. He has spent a career grinding ‘em down with uncompromising aggression. A bout can easily slip away over pro boxing’s shortest distance.

It happened to “D’Animal” in March when he was outpointed by journeyman Serge Ambomo.

Necessity, however, can make for uncomfortable bed-fellows. And on Sunday, on BCB’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show, Andrew was again taking the four round route.

Quite simply, he needed to stay active. He needed the rounds.

It must, however, be hard for a boxer who has appeared in big contests on major televised shows to get “up” for such bread-and-butter assignments.

This time there were no slip-ups. The 38-year-old won every round – 40-36 – against Steve Davies, a Welsh boxer who has now lost all six pro bouts.

That was win number 29 for Robinson in a 38 bout career (two draws) that began 11 years ago. He vows there’s plenty left in the tank.

Andrew, a man who commands respect throughout the sport, told me today: “It’s hard. I’ve always been a slow starter, it’s something that’s in me, that’s always been in me. I don’t wake up until the fifth round.

“This time I stayed focused and won every round – and this guy threw more than the last guy.

“It’s hard. I was selling tickets on Saturday night and thinking, ‘I’m doing the same thing I did when I made my debut against Bobby Wood (at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in June, 2012)’.”

Andrew has very short shrift for those who claim his career is nearing the end.

“The people who say that can **** off,” he laughed. “The so-called dangerous fighters, the young fighters – 1,000 per cent those are the fights I want. That’s when you’ll see the real Andrew Robinson.

“There is more to come, much more to come. I’ll shut those people up.”