THE WBO LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD
NATHAN CLEVERLY v TOMMY KARPENCY
SATURDAY 25th FEBRUARY
MOTORPOINT ARENA, CARDIFF
***LIVE ON BOXNATION (SKY CH. 456/VIRGIN CH. 546)***
IN DEPTH WITH FRANCIS LUKE ROBINSON
Unbeaten Welsh light-welterweight talent Francis Luke Robinson aims to to take his record to 5-0 this Saturday night in Cardiff on the undercard of Nathan Cleverly’s ‘Homecoming’ against Tommy Karpency.
Glynn Evans talks to the son of former WBO World Featherweight Champion Steve about his background, amateur career and future.
See Cleverly v Karpency live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) from 8pm. Join at www.boxnation.tv
Born: Splott, Cardiff
Age: 21
Family background: I’m the eldest of three. My brother Jacob(17) has won a Welsh schoolboy title and I’ve a 12 year old sister, Ebony. I live at home with my Dad (former WBO World Featherweight champion Steve Robinson) in Marshfield (Gwent).
Trade: I used to work in a retail clothes shop but had to stop once I turned pro because it clashed with training.
Nickname: ‘Cool Hand Luke’. Luke’s my name but there’s another Luke Robinson boxing pro. Francis is my middle name.
What age did you become interested in boxing and why? Dad won his world title when I was about three so I’ve always been around gyms, studying him train. Unfortunately, I can’t remember anything about his world title reign; too young! Pity. Seemed like a good time.
Dad never pushed us into it but liked us to learn the discipline of boxing. I started to take more of an interest around the age of 13. Dad said I had good technique and some natural ability so I joined the St Joseph’s gym in Newport.
What do you recall of your amateur career? I only had six bouts. I won four, lost two; one to a boy with a lot more experience, the other an absolute robbery. At 15 I moved to The Stables gym in Cardiff cos it was closer to home.
I picked up most of my experience sparring good boys like Gary Buckland (British superfeather champ), Lee Selby (British featherweight champ) and Sean McGoldrick (2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist) at St Jo’s, and later (GB Olympic squad member) Joey Cordina at Stables.
From the age of 15, I started doing a lot of sparring with my dad. I’d try a few on him but he’d always get me back. He’s so strong, still. He always had the age but, as I got older, it’s got more competitive.
Why did you decide to turn pro when you did? I’d like to have got a lot more experience in the amateurs but I had a shoulder injury which kept me out for about a year and a half. After that, Dad advised not to waste any more time in the amateurs. My style was more suited to the pros. I like to take my time and pick my shots.
Tell us about your back up team: I’m promoted by Frank Warren Promotions, managed by my Dad and coached by him and his cousin Leon Prescott, who’s very good with the pads.
Though I’d only had a few amateur fights, Frank saw my pro debut (a four round shut out over Craig Dyer in Newport) and clearly liked the look of me and signed me up.
My Dad’s definitely harder on me than any of the others in the gym, constantly on my back with regard to diet and stuff. But we get along pretty good. We’re both similar, humble people. After retiring, he did a lot of courses on nutrition, and strength and conditioning. I listen to him because he speaks sense.
What’s your training schedule? Which parts do you most and least enjoy? I train six days a week, Sunday to Friday. I get up about half six to run between five and six miles. Dad comes now and again but, though he’s competitive, I can now run the pants off him!
During the day, I sleep or chill out then go to the Train Station II gym at about half five. I’ll warm up with a 15 minute skip, do about four (rounds) on the bags, six on the pads, five or six sparring then finish with a circuit or some CrossFit.
I most enjoy sparring cos it gets you tuned for a fight and least enjoy Dad’s 20 minute circuit or CrossFit which is super hard. It’s a muscular endurance program that involves a lot of kettle bells, pull ups, fast laps. It’s quite boxing related and really gets your heart pumping but makes you feel really light headed. I wouldn’t do it from choice!
Describe your style? What are your best qualities? I’m fairly similar to my Dad; a box-fighter who, despite being quite tall for a lightweight (5ft 10in), can work on the inside. I like the body shots and don’t waste much.
What specifically do you need to work on to fully optimise your potential as a fighter? Gaining more experience. You can’t buy it and I never had much as an amateur so I expect it’ll take a while. I’ve sparred a lot of very good boys, mind. I’m prepared to be patient, build it up slowly but I’ll definitely be ready for six rounds, after Saturday’s fight.
What have you found to be the biggest difference between the pro and amateur codes? In the amateurs the pace is much higher and it can get messy. The pros are slower and you’ve time to pick shots which I prefer.
Who is the best opponent that you’ve shared a ring with? Sparring Gary Buckland and Lee Selby. Gary’s such a strong boy and forces you to work every second of every round. Selby’s a really good talent; lots of awkward angles and good power. Lee’s massive for a featherweight. Dad’s definitely the most rounded I’ve been in with.
All time favourite fighter: Probably Sugar Ray Leonard. I’ve loads of his tapes.
All time favourite fight: Gatti-Ward I. Helluva fight.
Which current match would you most like to see made? Everyone wants to see Pacquiao-Mayweather. Going on Manny’s last performance against Marquez, I think Mayweather would be too clever and would out think him.
What is your routine on fight day? I’ll be up by 9ish. I’ll have porridge for breakfast, then chill out watching films, maybe of dad’s old fights. The win over Paul Hodkinson is a favourite. I may take my Scottish Terrier ‘Sugar Ray’ for a walk. I’ll have a lot of hi carb food for lunch. I try to stay as relaxed as possible, not think too much about the fight. I hate waiting around so don’t go the arena earlier than needed. In the changing rooms, I psych myself up on Dub Step music and Dad gives me good advice. I enter the ring relaxed, confident and ready to rumble!
Entrance music: For my first fight, my cousin did a ‘beat bop’. He’s the best in Wales. I’d like something like that again, if they’d let me.
What are your ambitions as a boxer? Right now, just to work my way up through six rounders. Its early days. By the end of the year I’d hope to be near contention for a Welsh or Celtic title, then take it from there. Ultimately, I just want to make my Dad proud. If I achieve half what he did, I’d be very happy.
How do you relax? Basically just chill with my girlfriend, go to town or the cinema.
Football team: Man United but I also look out for Cardiff and I’m looking for a City shirt to wear to the show on Saturday.
Read: Boxing autobiographies…Eubank, Benn and especially Watson. His is an amazing story.
Music: Dub Step, R ‘n’ B and reggae. I always have it on when I’m running.
Films/TV: I like comedy films, my girlfriend and me have got cinema cards and go quite often. On TV I like Family Guy. I also watch a lot of football and boxing.
Aspiration in life: To be comfortable, happy and to live in Majorca. I’ve been three times, lovely place.
Motto: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail!
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