British boxing has been deprived of one of the most exciting, charismatic and well supported journey men in the sport, Robin Deakin.
The British Boxing Board of Control has withdrawn the 26-year-old’s license, after he amassed a professional record of 1-49, “for his own health”. However, records can be deceiving and this is certainly the case here. Robin spent his entire career facing the best prospects in the country.
“I’ve been in with the likes of WBF world champion Patrick Hyland, Ryan Taylor, Ryan Walsh who is the current English champion, Stephen Smith the former British and Commonwealth champion and now WBO Intercontinental champion. I’ve faced Anthony Crolla former British champion, Vinny Mitchell, Ricky Owen, Josh Wale who was the central area champion and he says I gave him the 6 hardest rounds he’s had,” Deakin told ThaBoxingVoice.com.
Unlike many journeymen, the Crawley native didn’t merely survive against these future stars, he stood toe to toe with them and attempted to win, which gained the respect and admiration of fans and his opponents alike.
“I boxed Ryan Taylor on the Carl Frampton v Kris Hughes show and people were going away talking about my fight more than the main. I fought Ryan Walsh in front of 15,000 people at the O2 arena, Frank Warren had that as the best bout of the night on the undercard.” said Deakin proudly.
Robin would fight any opponent and always ensured his fights were entertaining for the fans, as a result he is critical of the bigger names in the sport that don’t fight in a crowd friendly manner, and refuse to make the matches the public want.
“Look at Ashley Theophane against Darren Hamilton for the British title, what a boring fight that was. I wouldn’t pay £10 to watch Theophane. He talks about being a champion and world title fights but put him in with Frankie Gavin and Frankie will destroy him in 2 rounds. Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders are the ones to watch, they are the best of the former Olympians,”
Deakin’s career could have panned out very differently had close fights been scored in his favor with many believing that on numerous occasions the journeyman had done enough to upset the prospect, only to see the referee raise the opponent’s hand.
Had his career been managed more carefully, he would still hold a license; poorer boxers are allowed to fight in this country. The blame for this mismanagement falls on his former manager Mickey Helliet.
“He is more concerned reaching his target of managing 100 boxers rather than looking after the ones he’s got. I could never get hold of him. No one should sign with him.”
