Hannah Robinson: “I want to be challenged in every fight and be ready for the big opportunity when it comes.”

Hannah Robinson: “I want to be challenged in every fight and be ready for the big opportunity when it comes.”

The former two-time National Amateur Champion is now two fights into her professional career. A debut win in May against Johana Rochl was followed by her more recent victory over the Spanish import Laura Reoyo. A trip to the iconic York Hall last month that resulted in the highly-touted Robinson emerging victorious courtesy of a 59-55 points decision over the tough Rochl.

“I felt like it was better than my first performance,” Robinson told me over Zoom. “I think because the girl was tough and she could box a bit, it made it a better fight for people to watch. A lot of people said it was an exciting fight to watch.” 

Like many fighters, Robinson is critical of her performances. A harsh critique knowing that what they show in sparring isn’t always what they produce in the ring.

“I definitely know that is nowhere near to how I can perform, especially when I watch some of the footage back,” Robinson says of her second professional victory. “But I am trying to appreciate some of the positives. I am very self-critical, and I was a bit down about my performance after my debut. But I am trying to take the positives and also look at what needs to be worked on. I think a lot of it is down to ring experience. I am still a bit tense when I get in the ring. If I can box like I can in sparring, then I would be happy. I need to mend that bridge between sparring and performing in the ring. That will come with a few more fights.”

After spending so long in the amateur ranks, Robinson has naturally had to adjust somewhat to her new world.

“The biggest difference for me was no headguard and wearing the smaller gloves,” Robinson told FightPost. “Also, having a big audience because I am used to boxing in sports halls in the amateurs around the world and having hardly anyone there.

“I’ve definitely found it better for my body being a professional and also learning how important recovery is. As an amateur, when you are training three times a day, being on weight all the time and being ready to go, you didn’t really get the chance to take that into consideration. I get time now to mentally reset and then push on again.”

Robinson is adjusting in many ways. Finding the right weight is still a work in progress. “It depends on my management and where my opportunities are. I think lightweight is my limit, but I think I could box right up to welterweight. So it depends on what belts and opportunities are there at those weights.”

Two fights and two wins is progress for Hannah Robinson. At 30, she has got time to move at the right pace. There is no real need to rush. But at some point next year, Robinson wants to be in a position to have moved into title contention.

“I would like another six-rounder and then have a couple of eight-rounders,” Robinson says. “After that, I would like to challenge for either the British or the Commonwealth by the middle of next year.

“But after my last two performances, I know I have a lot more to improve on. So I don’t want to rush into anything. I know you get moved quite quickly in the women’s game, but I want to be ready for it, and I don’t want to get there before I am. My first two opponents have had winning records, and they have come to win and not just to survive. I want to be challenged in every fight and be ready for the big opportunity when it comes.”

Hannah Robinson will likely return to action early in the new year. A fighter who wants regular activity, but with learning fights and not routine ‘soft’ matches that in reality, give a fighter very little in return. With the right fights, Robinson in 2025, will hope that she has moved on from that prospect label to a genuine title contender. Or better.

Photo Credit: Wasserman Boxing