Hannah Robinson: “I am capable of winning a world title.”

Hannah Robinson: “I am capable of winning a world title.”

The professional debut of the former amateur star Hannah Robinson has been a long time coming in many ways. A hometown maiden professional ring walk at the Rainton Arena for the Darlington native is fast approaching.

“That’s the thing that I am most excited about,” Robinson told me over Zoom. “I haven’t boxed up North for years. I think the last time I boxed up there was at a Working Man’s Club. So, to come back and have my first fight, there is something special. There will be loads of people there, so the support will be unreal.”

The decision to leave the amateur ranks was made early last year. Robinson moved to Manchester to hook up with Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis. The professional debut was expected before the year ended. But a back injury derailed those plans.

“I left Team GB in the summer of last year. I turned professional in July and was working hard for my debut in September/October time,” Robinson told FightPost. “But then I got a stress fracture in my spine, and I couldn’t do anything for three months. So I have just been building back up after Christmas. The only thing I could do before that was to rest it and let the injury heal.

“To be honest, the three months off, I think I needed it because GB is so full on. I went straight to Jamie’s from a tournament for Team GB without any real break. Even though it was an enforced break, it was good to let my body heal. Looking back, it was frustrating at the time, but it was well-needed.”

There has been no radical changes for Robinson for her long-awaited professional debut. Subtle changes only, and keeping what made her an elite amateur.

“I think my style has now changed a little. I have been working with Jamie on managing the rounds and my energy better. But a lot of the good things in my amateur style I have kept. My good feet and my head movement. But I have also been working with Jamie on the inside, working at close range and staying calm. I’m not changing too much, but I’m just adding bits to my game. What has got me to where I am now, just keeping those things and adding a little bit more and managing the rounds better. There is a time when to exert energy and a time to conserve. So, more like tactical things, I am learning off Jamie.”

Robinson will eventually settle into the super-lightweight ranks. A few learning fights before the inevitable push towards titles and more. Big news will follow the professional debut. Three fights with big exposure for her talents.

“I’m starting with a six-rounder,” Robinson says of her first fight as a professional. “I then want to fight over eight rounds and then push for more meaningful fights and titles after about five fights. My manager Lee Eaton wants me to fight for some kind of title after five fights, whether that’s a Commonwealth title, a European title or something else.”

Robinson achieved plenty as an amateur. Two National titles and more in the unpaid ranks. But her talents probably should have brought a little more reward to her resume. Injuries were a constant frustration, and missing out on Olympic selection will always mystify. Her ability deserved better.

“I do think I underachieved a little as an amateur. It was a frustrating experience at times on Team GB. But looking back, I am still really proud of what I achieved even though I didn’t get to go to the Olympics. But even when I was an amateur, I always thought the professional ranks were for me. I used Team GB for experience and to learn. But I always knew my destiny was in the professional ranks. I think my style is more suited to being a professional. I’ve got more time to work things out and not rush my work and relax and use my power and my strength.”

There are extremely high expectations. Robinson comes with many plaudits from her peers. But the former amateur star expects far more of herself. Those amateur achievements, the rounds spent with numerous world champions in sparring, have convinced her that she belongs at that level.

“I am capable of winning a world title, and I think the people around me know that as well,” Robinson says with no arrogance, only a humble confidence in what she is expecting to do as a professional. “Before I turned pro, I was sparring with the likes of Natasha Jonas and Chantelle Cameron they were always asking me back and paying me to spar with them before their world title fights. I knew I could be at that level. But I want to learn as well. I don’t want to be fighting for a world title too soon because you can be out of your depth quite quickly. I am not saying I am a complete fighter already, I need to learn on the job. This year is about learning and getting as many fights and opportunities as I can and stepping up with each fight. I want to learn with every fight that I have.”   

The Czech import Johana Rochl will be first up on May 4th. An announcement will follow soon after about where she will be fighting for the immediate future. Hannah Robinson is unlikely to go under the radar for long.