Steve ‘USSR’ Robinson hopes to climb another rung or two of Britain’s heavyweight ladder by beating another man on the up, Franklin Ignatius.
The two giants meet over eight rounds at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle on Saturday on the undercard to Josh Kelly’s bid to win the WBO International light-middleweight belt against Argentina’s Gabriel Corzo.
It could, punch-lines repeats ‘could’ be one of the fights of the night as there is no much to gain for the winner.
Robinson has six wins to his credit, including an eye-catching success over Nick Campbell since a shock defeat to Shane Gill in Cardiff in his fifth paid appearance, while Ignatius has five victories and a draw in an undefeated six-bout run.
Even taking into account the press conference factor, when a boxer will always try a clever put-down, Londoner Ignatius seems unimpressed with his opponent, referring to Robinson as a “plank of wood”.
It prompted the Geordie to respond with the prediction: “He can think and say what he likes but when my left or right lands, he’s going to sleep.”
A contest with a bit of edge never goes amiss but the heavyweight known as ‘Drago’, given his likeness to the Rocky IV character, says he is concentrating on himself rather than his rival and told punch-lines this is a great fight for his career.
“It is a good fight,” said the 33-year-old. “It’s just like the Nick Campbell fight. I’m not here to make up the numbers and I don’t want to be molly-coddled, I want wins, I want to step up the ladder to British level as quick as I can.
“I’ve seen Franklin box, but I’m not bothered about his style and what he’s capable of. Saturday is about me and what I can do.
“I’m more than fit enough to do the eight rounds if needs be.
“If I can get him out there earlier then I’ll do that.
“I’m going in there to do my best and given what I’m capable of, my best will be good enough.”
This particular ‘Drago’ is from Swalwell as opposed to Siberia for the Dolph Lundgren character. Unlike cold-hearted Ivan, Steven is very much a cheery chap, though insists once inside the ropes he is fully committed.
“I’m totally focused,” he said.
“I’m the daftest kid you’ll meet outside the ring. But the minute I’m inside a ring, I’m totally focused.
“There is only one thing that’s going to happen – my hand getting lifted.”
It has been a frustrating period for Robinson, who has not boxed since a fourth-round stoppage of Campbell in Bournemouth back in December.
“It is good this fight is here after upset after upset and false promises, but that’s boxing, it seems to come with the territory,” said the Mark Clauzel boxer.
“It’s been a long and gruelling period since February when I was told I’d be fighting in April.
“It then got moved to May, then we were told June, now here we are in mid-July.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Leigh Dawney/ Wasserman
