Steve Robinson is a giant of a fella so it should come as no shock big things are happening for the North-East heavyweight.
Gateshead’s Hightower has signed a promotional deal with Pat Barrett’s Black Flash organisation which will, hopefully, see the 30-year-old make multiple appearances before the end of 2021.
Given the uncertain state of the world at the present time, the word ‘hopefully’ needs to be included, but it’s still a great development for the undefeated fighter known as ‘USSR’.
Robinson (pictured left) and manager, Mark Clauzel (right), met up with Barrett (centre) in Manchester to finalise the agreement with the former British and European light-welterweight champion.
“We’re really excited to have agreed a promotional deal with Pat,” Clauzel told punch-lines.
“The plan is to have Steve fight four or five times in 2021, hopefully the first will be in the last week of July after boxing shows return once the lockdown restrictions are lifted.
“I’ve known Pat a long time and it’s nice that Steve is being backed by one of the country’s top promoters.
“Pat has one of Britain’s in-form talents in Lyndon Arthur and it would be great if Steve got to box on his shows.”
Arthur is, indeed, a hot property as the reigning Commonwealth champion, including a victory over Anthony Yarde in London at the end of last year.
Robinson is not a bad property himself, having registered three straight wins since joining the professional scene.
The Swalwell fighter, all 6ft 7in of him, began his career in lightning-quick fashion, stopping Shaun Duffy in the opening round of his debut at the Eagles Community Arena in Newcastle before repeating the result across the Tyne at the Hilton Hotel against the Czech Republic’s Michael Marek.
Robinson was then taken the distance for the first time on his return to the Eagles’ nest by Phil Williams, with the seasoned Swindon campaigner testing Hightower’s chin along the way, big Steve winning on points.
While Robinson has not been in fight action since February 29, he has not been short of high-quality ring time, having sparred with world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.
“AJ had seen Steve on line and his people got in touch to see if he’d go and do some sparring,” said Clauzel.
“It was a great opportunity for him to go and get the experience of sharing the ring with the heavyweight champion of the world.”
Words: Roy Kelly
