BRITAIN’S worst boxer will head into the ring on Saturday looking to achieve a feat he managed just twice in 11 years… to win a fight.
Robin ‘Rockin’ Deakin has finally decided he has had enough of being beaten up for a living.
Robin Deakin, left, has the tag of Britain’s worst boxerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Deakin is preparing for one last hurrah in the ring on Saturday
The “Eddie the Eagle” of boxing, as he calls himself, has a bruising record of 53 losses in 55 professional bouts.
He won his first-ever professional scrap under promoter Frank Warren in 2006 but was forced to wait NINE long years before surprising everyone when he tarnished his record with a second win.
The 33-year-old’s memorable career has seen him box the likes of Anthony Crolla, lose his home, suffer depression and become a celebrity in Spain.
A true warrior, he told SunSport: “My role was to go out and get beaten up for a living.
“I gained nothing apart from losing a few brain cells and being dumb as s***.
“I’m a journeyman boxer, but I wouldn’t class myself as that.
“I would describe myself as a gladiator going into battle whether I’m ready or not.
“There’s not many people who do what I do. How many people would have given up on the first hurdle? I refused.
“I was always a world champion with my heart.
“Whether I’m remembered for being the best or the worst it doesn’t matter.”
Liam Shinkwin inflicts yet another defeat on Deakin’s recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Deakin is finally ready to call it a day on his boxing careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Crawley-born fighter won two out of 55 boutsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Before speaking with Deakin, from Crawley, West Sussex, it was difficult to apprehend why he put his life on the line on a weekly basis.
At one point, he fought 19 opponents in 24 weeks – losing against them all.
But it soon became clear why Deakin refused to throw in the towel – he wanted to achieve his dream and give two fingers to those who bullied him as a kid.
Deakin was born with club foot in both feet, underwent 40 operations and was in a wheelchair until the age of six.
“I was never really liked as a kid. I was always bullied at school so I started boxing to build my confidence.
“Everyone at school, even the teachers, used to say I was going nowhere.
“I told them I was going to be a professional boxer and they obviously thought I wasn’t going to make it.
“My dream wasn’t to be a world champion. It was to be an unknown fighter, known for what I’ve done.
“I wanted to make an impression on what I do in life.
“Whether it’s a mechanic, a finance manager… whatever it is you always try to make a legacy.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be the best because of my situation. My legs were going to play a big part in my boxing career.”
Deakin, left, rose through the ranks as an amateur
Deakin pictured with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn
Deakin is packing it in after meeting girlfriend Kristy
Deakin won 50 fights “give or take” as an amateur and was eventually scouted by former world champ and Irish legend Steve Collins.
He added: “He scouted me in Jersey when I went out there and boxed their No1 kid.
“I lost but I put up one hell of a fight and at the end of the night Steve said to me ‘I haven’t seen an amateur boxer move like you’ and when I told him what I had been through he was overwhelmed at how good I was.”
In 2006, Deakin had made it after signing a pro deal with Warren.
Cocky, confident and ready to tear up the rule book, Deakin stepped into the ring for his first pro fight against Shaun Walton with red and white hair.
He won on points and was ready to take on the world.
“After my first fight, I thought ‘wicked.’ A lot of people were saying how good I was, how quick I was and if I’m honest it got to my head.
“I thought I was the big I AM, I could do what I want.
“I was called three weeks before Amir Khan was due to fight Mohammed Medjadi at Wembley Arena.
“I was told ‘I’ve got a fight it’s up to you whether you want to take it. This guy is a bit heavier than you – would you like to take it?’
“I thought ‘I’ve got Frank Warren – he’s my shield I couldn’t lose so I took the fight.
“I ended up losing to a guy on points called Eduards Krauklis from Latvia. I was very disappointed. I thought I won the fight.
“Then I got offered another fight two weeks later against a guy who was undefeated in eight.
“I thought f*** it. I looked at pictures of him, saw his record and thought ‘yeah no problem’.
“After losing my second pro fight no one is going to give you the time of day, especially Frank Warren.”
Little did he know that it would be the beginning of a winless run that would stretch to 51 fights in total.
He became the ultimate journeyman – playing the crucial supporting role to the main attraction.
The job is to lose, something Deakin managed to master down to a tee and help boost the records of upcoming potential that sell the tickets.
But his life was turned upside down in 2012 when he floored Ryan Taylor – an opponent at the beginning of his career.
It was the final straw for the British Boxing Board of Control (BBoC) who revoked his licence, leaving him penniless and sending him into a spiral of depression.
It’s fair to say he still holds a grudge against Robert Smith, Secretary of the BBoC.
“It was an absolute war. I was on the Carl Frampton bill – everyone went away talking about my fight and not the main event.
“Robert Smith called me into his office and said ‘you’re a journeyman, you’re not supposed to go in the fights all guns blazing.’
“I said ‘look, Robert, people spend their hard-earned money on watching a fight – I’m not going to be passed around the ring.’
“If you’re not a yes man, they’re not going to like it. They wanted me to be a yes man.
“They wanted to make an impression out of me to other journeymen.
“I got stripped after that fight – they still have my £250 that I scraped together to go for my appeal which was turned down.
“I was skint. When I lost my license I lost my house, I lost everything. I was homeless. Sofa surfing.”
His bare-knuckle scrap on Saturday will be his last
Robin Deakin is ready to end his career on a high
Deakin was forced to go solo and fought ten more opponents including two in Spain where he was mobbed by paparazzi as his reputation grew as Britain’s worst boxer.
But under the surface of his hardened gladiator spirit, depression still remained his toughest fight of all.
When Deakin was offered the opportunity to fight bare-knuckle, he simply accepted it as another form of self-destruction.
His scrap against Mark Handley, or the “poisoned dwarf” as Deakin called him, on Saturday at the O2 Arena will be his last dance.
He added: “I initially took it as a way of self-harming myself and getting beaten up.
“That’s why I’m going to end on a high – I don’t need it any more. I’m happy now – a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter.
“I fell in love with an amazing woman and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.
“She doesn’t want me to take this fight but I’m doing it for my own sanity.
“To start with a win and end with a win – ready to end the chapter on a high.
“But I’ll be remembered as Britain’s worst boxer and I’m proud of it.”
Deakin is dedicating his fight to Alan Minter – former undisputed middleweight champion. “A fighter who is a legend and Crawley hero. Rest in peace Alan ‘boom boom’ Minter.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
