North-East professional boxing has a big signing. Big with a capital B.
England National Amateur Championship semi-finalist, Steve Robinson, has turned pro with Tyneside fight figure, Mark Clauzel.
The 27-year-old Tyneside super-heavyweight will make his debut in Newcastle in July on a Black Flash Promotions/ Clauzel event.
Robinson has chucked away his vest “disillusioned” after being “ripped off” in his ABA last four bout with Delicious Orie who won via a split decision in Nottingham.
The amateur scene’s loss will be professional boxing’s gain says the man who will guide the former Swalwell ABC star’s career.
“He’d lost three times before to that lad and he trained this backside off for these championships,” manager and trainer Clauzel told punch-lines.
“Steve dominated the fight and never got hit – there is absolutely no way he lost.
“After Nottingham he was so disillusioned he said he’d never box in the amateurs again.
“His view was why put your heart and soul into something, work so hard, only to get ripped off?
“I am happy to take him in the pros and I think he has a great career in front of him.”
Given his age and experience – he was seeded two at the National Amateur Championship – he looks ideally suited to the switch, subject of course to approval by the British Boxing Board of Control.
“Steve has served his apprenticeship,” added Clauzel. “He’s boxed in the ABAs, Tri-Nations, Box Cups all sorts and medalled many times.
“He’s a big athletic kid, he’s fit and dedicated and I have a lot of confidence in him.”
Clauzel believes so strongly in him that the next 18 months are already mapped out.
“We are looking at three four-rounders this year, starting with our show in July,” he said. “He’ll move on to six-rounders in 2020 and eight or nine fights in we’d like a Northern Area Title fight and then move onto the English and Commonwealth.”
Clauzel believes Robinson (pictured centre with Mark on his right and coach Giuseppe Bivona on his left) will benefit from the link up Black Flash Promotions and himself have made with Queensberry, the boxing empire of the Warrens, dad Frank and son Francis.
“Frank and Francis are happy to put some of their prospects on our shows to keep them busy,” explained Mark. “We also have the chance to build up boxers, like Steve, who would then move onto the big Warren shows when they were ready.
“Between Pat and myself, we can manoeuvre these lads correctly through their careers, getting them the right experience and exposure.
“We’d be interested to hear from any boxers interested in signing, we’d keep them busy and build them up until they were established.”
Words: Roy Kelly
