Philadelphia’s “New” Ray Robinson was under Star Boxing’s banner back in 2009 and undefeated when he lost for the first time to Brad Solomon, then 8-0, in New York by majority decision. It would be 8 months before he fought again and instead of “an easy” win he was matched with Shawn Porter, then 15-0 and now former IBF champion who lost his title in August to Kell Brook. Solomon has won 15 straight since the Robinson fight and Robinson 7 straight since then
At 18-2 (8) Robinson has rebounded and is currently ranked No. 10 in both the WBC and WBO while No. 15 in the IBF. His last 4 fights were in Delaware under new management and a new promoter. There won’t be any more boxing in DE the rest of the year per the people at Dover Downs Casino where Robinson had his last 2 fights.
Robinson hasn’t fought in his home town of Philadelphia since January of 2012. He only fought 3 of his 20 fights in Philly. His last fight in PA was for BAM Promotions in May of 2012 when he defeated former Olympian Terrance Cauthen, 36-7, stopping him in the 2nd round. Since then Brittany Rogers BAM Promotions has teamed up with J Russell Peltz and also does matchmaking with Peltz. She was very influential in arranging this interview with Robinson.
The tall (5’10”) Robinson being a southpaw hasn’t made it easy to get matches with the other contenders. At 28 he is still young enough to be patient but there are lucrative bouts out there in his division at this time he would like to make a stake in.
Bethuel Ushona of Nambia the No. 2 ranked WBO boxer got stopped over the weekend so Robinson may move up a spot or two with the No. 8 Brook now the IBF champion. No. 5 Luis Carlos Abregu and No. 7 Sadam Ali are meeting November 8th in Atlantic City as the co-feature to Hopkins vs. Kovalev main event. Robinson could find himself No. 7 without having a fight this time next month.
Robinson is coming off wins over Aslanbek Kozaev, 25-0-1, for the vacant WBO NABO welterweight title in February and George Sosa 13-7, stopping him in 4 in May of 2014. He turned professional in December of 2006 and after 8 years is ready to return to the likes of Solomon and Porter.
After watching the No. 12 IBF contender Fredrick Lawson struggle with Ray Nahr over ESPN2 this week, Robinson who easily stopped Nahr in August of 2013 in 7 rounds would like to meet Lawson in order to move up in the IBF rankings.
KEN HISSNER: Ray, you are at the crossroads in your career knocking on the door while in two of the organizations No. 10 spot. Have there been any upcoming fights to talk about?
RAY ROBINSON: We are looking at a fight for November 21st in defending my NABO title.
KEN HISSNER: Being a tall southpaw doesn’t make it easy for your promoter to match you with the top 10 contenders for their people to risk taking a fight with you does it?
RAY ROBINSON: It is hard to get me matched up and that’s one of the reasons why I am not always as busy as I want to be. I am a tall southpaw and very quick. My style would give anyone trouble and that’s why a lot of fighters don’t want to risk it fighting me.
KEN HISSNER: Where are you now training and who is your trainer since Moses Robinson?
RAY ROBINSON: I am at the Dungeon in Philly and Bozy Ennis is my trainer now.
KEN HISSNER: I understand you are even training some young amateurs while training for that next fight. How do you find helping young boxers knowing you were where they are now?
RAY ROBINSON: I love teaching and telling them about my personal experience. Boxing is my first love but training other people is my second love.
KEN HISSNER: Back to back losses to Solomon and Porter set your career back some after winning your first 11 fights. Did you learn much from those losses?
RAY ROBINSON: I learn from each fight I have but it is a different kind of learning when you take a loss. I think I have grown as a fighter since those fights and it has helped me take my boxing career more seriously.
KEN HISSNER: Do you see boxing returning to Delaware in the future?
RAY ROBINSON: Yes I do. I have had some great fights and title shots in Delaware. I look at Delaware as my second home.
KEN HISSNER: If you could put your name on a contract right now with any boxer in the world who would it be with?
RAY ROBINSON: I am a throwback fighter and would fight anyone but if I had to pick I would say Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao, or Timothy Bradley.
KEN HISSNER: I want to thank you for answering these questions and wish you only the best in the future.
RAY ROBINSON: Thank you for the interview and I appreciate the support.
