Fighting Talk with Robin Deakin

15th February 2012

B: First off, Robin, thanks for agreeing to this interview. I think if ever a boxer deserved the hash tag #warrior it has got to be you. You are always available to fight at short notice. Why do you allow yourself that type of pressure when many would not?

RD: Hi billy, I allow the pressure because I love being the underdog, and boxing is a funny sport anything can happen! On paper my record is shit, but you talk to anyone, I have boxed! I am the most underated boxer, about! I always come to win. 

B: What is the shortest notice you have ever had for a fight?

RD: The shortist time I have ever took a fight is a couple of days, don't get me wrong I would take a fight at 10minutes notice if I could! I just love fighting..

B: I have heard you mention about your feet in other interviews. Can you explain here also why boxing has held a greater challenge for you than most?

RD: I was born with my feet backta front, I have always gone through a lot of trouble with my legs, since walking and still do now, but I'm a soldier I'll keep coming! I will never quit! I'm not a quitter born a fighter and had to fight all my life, and still gonna keep plugging away until I can't go no more! it is a challenge anyway boxing is a hard sport, even if I was normal it would be hard, I always wanted to be a footballer "but ill start running backwards" haha.

B: lol You certainly are no quitter, like you say. In order to be so available for matches you must keep yourself at match level fitness. How do you manage that? What is your training regime?

RD: If I'm honest I'm fit through taking so many fights, I'm not super fit if I'm honest but I'm fit to get through. 

B: Are there any boxers that you look to for example and try to emulate in your own style?

RD: I look upto a lot of fighters for different skills won't name too many, but always looked up to my Good friend Ross Minter, Michael Jennings and Frankie Gavin. There are loads more I look up to but if I'm honest I look up to all champions because to be a champion u have to be special.

B: You have had many fights but of them all which was your hardest?

RD: My hardest fight I had was early on against Stephen Smith, former british champ, #strong. Around the same sort of time I boxed Anthony Crolla and Patrick Hyland - they were good as well, Crolla was skillful and mixed up his shots well, now he has moved on to Joe Gallagher "Britains Freddie Roach" in my eyes and Crolla will move on to be a new world champ and Stephen Smith to get big tittles.

B: You have also sparred with what looks like a who’s who of British boxing at the moment. Who do you most enjoy sparring with?

RD: I have sparred with top fighters, Frankie Gavin Michael Jennings and Joe Murray you can't get better than that. 

B: You sure can't. What made you decide to box in the first place? How did your career start?

RD: I only started boxing to try strengthen my legs, haha not that its worked.. Its helped a little bit. I actualy got to the Senior ABA semi final losing to Gary Sykes (former British Champ). I then boxed out in jersey meeting former world champ Steve Collins, I signed a contract with the best in Britain if not the world Frank Warren! A real nice bloke, meeting frank was an honour. 

B: You seem to be in great shape. What is your diet like?

RD: I don't really diet unless I cut loads of weight, but my Girlfriend Katie works me out loads in the bedroom so keeps me in great shape hahahah
B: lol...You make use of twitter and i have been asking boxers how they feel social networking helps them in their boxing careers. What are your thoughts on this?

RD: I don't really use facebook - more on twitter but I only use it to #Banter nothing else yeh I have people asking bout the boxing and I get a lot of respect of fans and boxers which is nice. I'm a journeyman and still get respect of fans and champions that I look upto. 

B: Who would you most like to fight and why?

RD: I would like to fight1 anytime but if I could make the wieght HARROON KAHN, would be a good name on my CV 

B: Would you ever go on Prizefighter?

RD: I would love to go in, prizefighter to get the recognition I deserve. I have boxed the best and deserve to try at least win prizefighter and get a southern area tittle shot. 

B: So here we have a guy who never seems t turn down the chance to box and is respected by his peers. What’s your driving force that keeps you going in the demanding world of boxing?

RD: I keep plugging away because I love fighting, and one day I might get the break I need.

B: How do you prepare for a match. What do you do in the last hour before fighting to get you n the zone?

RD: I'm an entertainer, mate I was born ready 

B: True, true...lol...Finally, what are your plans for this year? 

RD: You never know maybe entertain the nation on TV ;-) We will see!

B: Ah yes I have heard tweeted hints at this now and then across twitter. Better not say more cos Big Brother might well be watching lol. Thanks for that, Rob. I have to say you are a truly inspirational warrior and I can fully understand why other boxers admire you. I hope you keep on doing what you do. Good luck in the future mate. 

Against Ryan Taylor recently