ROCKIN’ ROBIN DEAKIN SEEKS HIS RENAISSANCE

MALTA BOXING COMMISSION

By  Jon Collins

London, UK – Monday 24th August 2015 – In 1950 a fifty something year old salesman called Ray Kroc had the title of the worst milkshake vendor in Illinois.

Except that Kroc knew he was better than that. Several years later by 1954 he was a multi millionaire after founding McDonalds. "Persistence alone is omnipotent" wrote Kroc later.

There's been better boxers than Robin Deakin. Titles of "the worst boxer in the UK" or "the human punchbag" levelled at him are way off the mark though.

Robin Deakin in action

Deakin CHOSE, at an early stage, to be a member of what I shall term British Boxing's Fine Journeyman Club (FJC), sacrificing the glamour and allure of titles for regular paydays.

Hull's Tony Booth, a fabled stylist and humorist in the ring, was a legendary member of the FJC, as was Brum's Peter Buckley who retired with a pro record of 32-256-12. That's 256 losses.

Warley's Howard Clarke fought the legend Fernando Vargas for the IBF light middleweight world title at the Madison Square Garden in 1999, putting up stern resistance for 4 rounds. Clarke returned to the UK and lost his 68 of his next 70 bouts before retiring.

Booth, Buckley and Clarke were actually fine boxers, Deakin belongs to this club somewhere. A record of 1-51 doesn't tell the story of hometown decisions, fights taken at short notice, weight given away to heavier opponents etc. Yet still Robin drove on and on, helping promoters up and down the UK, until terminating his license with the Board of Control.

Today Deakin seeks to alter matters. He wants out of the FJC and wants an Indian summer. Still only 29, he boxes under an MBC pro license.

An endearing personality, he's the first total stranger ever to have been freely chatted to by my 6 year old daughter when I interviewed him.

On Saturday 29th August, at his old haunt in York Hall, he will strive to win a 2nd pro contest in a 4 x 3 bout v Latvia's Deniss Kornilovs. Trained for this comeback by former champ Michael Jennings, Deakin is in the best condition of his life.

Ably assisted by his PR Lisa, celebs like Daniella Westbrook plus members of Big Brother and Towie will be in attendance ringside on the 29th. Even Barry Hearn, the great impresario himself, is meant to be coming.

A legion of Deakin fans from all over the gaffe will turn out to roar Robin to hopeful victory. Rockin’ Robin could become Renaissance Robin.

Deakin, no stranger to adversity, is a trier of historic proportions. He will get to the end of the journey in whatever path in life he chooses.

"Persistence alone is omnipotent" - the clarion call of winners - rings though the very psyche of a man whose failed 51 times in the ring so far, but is born to win!

The Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys promotions LORDS OF THE RING II event will take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th August 2015.