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RAY ROBINSON: "I ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE I AM ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL...I'M HANDLING MYSELF WELL"

By Percy Crawford | April 23, 2014
RAY ROBINSON:

"I'm actually happy that the fight went down like that. I was excited to go all 12 because it helped me, man. I actually feel like I am on a different levelÂ…I really never had that walk in the park. I was the up-and-coming prospect, but I wasn't the type of prospect that got fed a bunch of bums. I'm kind of happy I didn't because I learned from fighting quality opponents. Now that I am on this level, it just shows, like you just said, me fighting these type of guys, I'm handling myself well," stated welterweight contender Ray Robinson, who talked about his upcoming May 9 clash with George Sosa. Check out what else he had to say!

PC: You will be fighting at Dover Downs on May 9th against George Sosa. How is everything going?

RR: Good, man. I'm training hard as usual and getting ready, man. I can't wait to get back to business. I'm happy that it didn't take long to get me back in, so my timing is gonna be even better. It's gonna be good.

PC: It's definitely a somewhat quick turnaround for you. You fought late February. With some of the layoffs you have had, I'm sure it's a good feeling to get back so soon.

RR: Yeah, absolutely! It just shows that people want to see me get back to action. My last fight was an exciting fight. Normally, between each fight, it's like 6 months and it's hard to keep that pace. Now I feel like the brand is growing and I'm happy. I love staying busy, I'm always in shape, and I'm always ready, so I'm glad we getting right back in there this fast.

PC: Dover Downs is becoming a good spot for boxing events. What kind of atmosphere are you expecting?

RR: Delaware adopted me. Of course I'm from Philly, but my last couple of fights have been in Delaware and my last fight at Dover Downs, it was a packed house and they just showed me love fighting the Russian [Aslanbek Kozaev]. It really helped me out throughout the fight hearing them screaming, "U.S.A." and they just took me back to the amateur days when we were fighting in they country. So it was a good feeling. Dover Downs is nice. I had a great time putting on a show and I'm happy to be back there.

PC: You have been scheduled to go 12 rounds a couple of times, but you actually went the full 12 in your last fight. How did it feel to get the full 12 rounds in?

RR: I just had to dig deep. That was a new experience for me. And it wasn't just a regular, slow-pace 12-round fight. It was action-packed, constantly moving, and boxing and standing and going toe to toe fight. That was a tough guy I fought and me beating him over 12 rounds like that was good. It just showed people that I could outbox people, I can bang, and I got the range to do so. The guy put pressure on me; he was a non-stop fighter and I have seen some people fold under that type of pressure when it's just a 4-round fight, so imagine someone constantly coming at you for a full 12 rounds. I'm actually happy that the fight went down like that. I was excited to go all 12 because it helped me, man. I actually feel like I am on a different level.

PC: Your last 3 opponents have a combined record of 62-3 and you won all 3 fights decisively. Is that the plan, to get in with these tough guys with winning records and make that next step in your career?

RR: Yeah, man. I know for a fact there are different levels to this game. And even before my last 3 fights, the fights before those with the Brad Solomon showing and all them guys man, I really never had that walk in the park. I was the up-and-coming prospect, but I wasn't the type of prospect that got fed a bunch of bums. I'm kind of happy I didn't because I learned from fighting quality opponents. Now that I am on this level, it just shows, like you just said, me fighting these type of guys, I'm handling myself well. And I think the way I started out prepared me for this now. I see guys that's like 20-0 with 13 knockouts and when they finally get tested, they can't handle it. It is different levels to boxing and I get it that you have to build your way up, but I feel like I got thrown in there a couple of times and I handled myself well then, so me doing it now, I feel good at this level. I feel like I can even go up to a different level. My last opponent was 25-0, he was strong, and me beating someone like that, and even me beating someone like Ray Narh and stopping him is big. I'm getting better and showing people that I am capable of fighting at that level.

PC: Shawn Porter has become a world champion since you guys fought in 2007. When you see the success he's had and you went the distance with him in a good fight, does that give you even more motivation and assures you that you belong at this level?

RR: Honestly, I didn't need Shawn Porter to win a world title to let me know I can definitely win a world title one day. I didn't need that because I already had that. I got that confidence and if I didn't have that, I don't belong in the game because I would get seriously hurt. So it does let me know that I am closer to my goal because, to this day, I'm the only one that gave Porter problems with my style and how tall I am and I'm a southpaw and all that. I know for a fact where I can go. I know how hard I train and I know when I fall, I just dust myself off and hit the ground running again. I didn't need Porter to win a world title though to know what God got planned for me.

PC: Not only are you almost 6 foot tall fighting at welterweight, but like you mentioned, you are also a southpaw. Do you feel like those attributes alone will separate you from the competition?

RR: I think the drive that I got. I'm hungry, man. I know you hear that a lot, but I'm on a mission honestly and that is what's gonna separate me. I don't want to take a step backwards. I'm dead serious about this game. I'm not a part-time boxer or part-time fighter; I'm a full-time athlete. It's that simple. I'm a full-time athlete and I love what I do. I'm willing to stick my feet in the mud and go for broke in any given round or fight. If you're not fast, you can work on speed, if you're not strong, you can work on power, but you can't work on heart. You either have it or you don't and I got that. I'm willing to tuck my chin and go for it. It showed when I fought Porter. I got off of the canvas and still gave him problems. People that was at that fight said it could have gone either way. The scorecards were ridiculous. I don't dwell on things that happen in the past though. I really think I won by a round or the worst they could have gave me was a draw, but it's my past. It definitely helped me. I'm happy with my career right now and that's what's gonna separate me is my dedication and how bad I want it.

PC: Good luck to you in May. I look forward to speaking with you again. Is there anything else you want to say?

RR: I want everybody to please try to come out on the 9th to support me. I want to thank Bozy, he is an awesome trainer. He has really been helping me out. And my strength and conditioning partner Ashleigh Hester. She keeps me in shape and makes sure I eat the right types of food. So just thanks to my supporters and everyone that's got my back.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

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