Steve Robinson

Sports Interview-Written by: Mohammed Hersi Farah

Ely had the biggest council estate in Europe at the time, and it wasn't easy. I didn't have much, but growing up in Ely made me tough.

This year marked the 75th anniversary of when over 1,000 people stepped off the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex on 22 June 1948, among the first of thousands of people from Caribbean countries who were encouraged to migrate and help fill labor shortages in the armed forces, NHS, and other industries. Xcellence Magazine sat down with Wales' former boxing world champion, Steve Robinson, whose father was part of the Windrush generation. Steve Robinson discussed how the Windrush generation changed the country and what more can be done to inspire future generations.

How did you get into boxing as a kid, and what was the feeling like when you first stepped into a boxing gym?

I got into boxing by going to my local boxing gym in Ely. I’m an Ely boy, and my older brother took me down to the boxing gym when I was around nine years old. From that day forward, I never looked back. I was into all sports when I was in school, but I was hyperactive, so sports helped me focus. The first time I walked into the boxing gym and saw the bags, the boxing ring, and other equipment, I was like, 'Wow.' The local boxing gym was named Ely Stars, which was run by my old trainer, Ronnie Rush. I loved training there and couldn’t wait to get started; that's where I got into boxing and absolutely loved it. During that time, fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali were the guys I looked up to, and I wanted to be as good as they were.

What was it like growing up in the Ely area of Cardiff during the 70s and 80s?

Growing up in Ely during that time wasn't easy, especially as I grew up in a single-parent household because my parents divorced when I was around five or six years old. Ely had the biggest council estate in Europe at the time. It wasn't easy. I didn't have much, but I was streetwise as a kid, and growing up in Ely made me tough.

Having parents from the Windrush generation what morals and principles did they instil in you when you were growing up?

My father came from Jamaica something that I am really proud of. He came to the UK shipping industry. Growing up as I did suffer from racism from people calling me names especially when I was quite young. I was taught to fight back and not take any rubbish, so I did get into a lot of street fights. During that time racial slurs were kind of acceptable. But as I grew up, my parents taught me to be resilient and try to rise above it.

How did you feel going from working part-time at Debenhams to getting a call for a world title shot?

Truthfully, I was quite shocked, even though at the time I was the Welsh & WBA Intercontinental champion. The call to fight for the world title came quicker than I thought it would from my old trainer, Ronnie Rush, just two days before the fight. He said, 'There's a big fight for you; will you be ready?' The problem was that I had to lose eight or nine pounds before the fight, but I was naturally fit because I was always in the gym training. So, within those two days, I made weight and accepted the fight.

What was the feeling like when you became World Champion?

Winning the world title was the best feeling in the world. When the referee raised my hand to declare me the winner, I couldn't believe it because it was a close split decision. There were times in my previous fights when I won but was robbed as I fought in England and abroad. So, when my hands went up, and I realized I had won the title, I couldn't believe it. I had to pinch myself that I had become the world featherweight champion. It was a great feeling.

In an early interview you gave, you mentioned that race held you back from opportunities your talent deserved. Can you elaborate more on that?

I really don't know why that is, especially considering the way I became a world champion. I believe I didn't receive the recognition I deserved. When I won the world title, the press claimed it was a fluke and predicted I would lose it in my next fight. They were obviously wrong, as I proved by defeating former world champions from England like Paul Hodkinson, Duke McKenzie, a three-time world champion, and Colin McMillan. They were all great fighters whom I beat, proving the press and doubters wrong. I believe that if I were from England, I would have had a higher profile and more recognition. Being from Wales and being Black, I feel like it held me back. I was a true people's champion known as a skilled fighter, and I had a successful run of title defenses, demonstrating that winning the world title wasn't a fluke.

Do you believe it's important for people whose parents are from the Windrush generation to have a connection with the land of their parents?

Yes, definitely as I am extremely proud that my father is Jamacia, my father is 91 years old and quite the character. His name is Stanford Robinson, but people call him Sarge for short. My father wasn’t part of my life in the earlier days, but he would always pop by to see how I was doing. My parents divorced when I was young, but my dad was always checking up on me. He also attended most of my fights. I am proud that my dad was part of the Windrush generation and worked hard to make a life for himself here. The Caribbean genes make him strong at the age of 91, he is still fit and does his stretches every day.

What did you think about the government's Windrush scandal, and why do you think it happened?

I really don’t know why that scandal happened, but it was absolutely disgusting that it occurred. The way they treated people from Caribbean countries was shocking, especially when they tried to send them back. My father wanted to go back to Jamaica for a visit during that time, but he couldn’t get a passport, which was very wrong, as he and others who experienced this had their freedom taken away by not being able to obtain a UK passport. My father came over to the UK, worked hard all his life, and then applied to go back to Jamaica, but it was denied because there was no record of him. In the end, I think my dad was compensated, but money was not the answer.

This year marked the 75th celebration of when the HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury Docks in Essex on 22 June 1948, carrying among the first of thousands encouraged to migrate and help fill labor shortages in the armed forces, industry, and the NHS. How do you think your parents’ generation changed the country?

Yes, I do think they changed the country because more people now have respect for my father's generation. People have come to realize that the Windrush generation came over and worked extremely hard, filling jobs that had major shortages. However, getting the respect and recognition for their contributions wasn't always there for that generation. I believe the legacy of hard work has rubbed off on me; I have always worked hard in everything I do. However, I do feel that today's generation lacks focus. They need to dig deep and find the work ethic that they come from. I sympathize with them, though, as there are many distractions in the new world of technology and influencers. If they read history or if there were more heroes on public display and taught in schools, they would have more role models who represent them and have achieved excellence, especially from the Windrush generation.

What are your plans for the future?

I am currently in the process of opening a new gym, located just off Lewis Road in Splott. I have been searching for a unit for years and finally found one that I think is suitable. Luckily, the landlord is an old friend of Dai Garner, who knew Ronnie Rush. The landlord told me he was a big boxing fan and said if I wanted the space, to go for it. The unit is a nice size, suitable for use as a fully kitted-out gym equipped with a boxing ring, so I am excited about getting it up and running. I hope to launch at the end of September and train the next Welsh World champ.

Steve Robinsons gym, is base 98 Portmannor rd, Ocean way CF24 5HB.