Ed Robinson - Excellent Interviewer

[DavidPayne]

Yeh, yeh. Whatever. Click, click. Girlfriend.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Terry the unbeaten thing was big, but wasn't it the fact it was two guys who could claim to be THE heavyweight champion facing each other, i.e. Ali never lost the title in the ring? Aside from the politics obviously.

I really enjoyed the set-up at the weekend, Adam was much better suited to asking more leading/telling qustions of Nelson,

"So you are saying that she wanted to be raped, is that it, Johnny?"



I didn't see the show, but i can only imagine that's what you mean

[DavidPayne]

No, there was a barely muffled objection to that particular line of questioning and Judge Judy agreed.

Smith did ask if he thought Macklin would win a world title and Nelson quipped, while speaking out of the side of his mouth and tossing his microphone lead to one side, "if he does I'll bare my arse in a Travel Inn window"

Smith, with a raised eyebrow and disbelief as well as characteristic plegm in his throat replied, "what again?".

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

No, there was a barely muffled objection to that particular line of questioning and Judge Judy agreed.

Smith did ask if he thought Macklin would win a world title and Nelson quipped, while speaking out of the side of his mouth and tossing his microphone lead to one side, "if he does I'll bare my arse in a Travel Inn window"

Smith, with a raised eyebrow and disbelief as well as characteristic plegm in his throat replied, "what again?".

well, that made me laugh, anyway.

My dad used to say "if he does, I'll bare my arse on the Bolton town-hall steps"

But I never understood exactly why he had to expose his penis to those school kids at Bolton county primary, however

[DavidPayne]

He could ask Nicky Piper what its like trying to fill Thora Hird's slippers on Songs of Praise for one.

[Coco]

With practice, I bet he could even coax something borderline interesting from Nicky "MENSA" Piper.

I think it's unfair to expect miracles

[DavidPayne]

No but I've heard Johnny does a passable Smokey Robinson.

[opticald]

Smith is absolutely WOEFUL as a commentator. We have had to endue him enough. The PBF vs JMM fight commentary was absolutely shockingly awful and completely unacceptable. We have the great Ed Robinson who ADMITS that he is not a good commentator and knows his limitations. Adam Smith seems to be the opposite. He should stick to the role as presenter where he can actually EXCEL and become very very good and maybe threads like this will pop up about him on forums but unfortunately I think he will continue to TRY to commentate and make a show of himself. Stick to the presenting Adam, something you are actually genuinely good at. Dave Darts is useless.

[stujones]

I don't mind Smith as a commentator. Infact, his enthusiasm is BETTER for the delayed stuff Sky show - in which I know the result. Castillo vs Corrales was exceptional.

[dondada]

Ed is one of the few people who I've never seen slagged off on here - that says a lot in itself!

I've seen him at scores of shows but never bother him as he always seems so busy. If he is nervous during those interviews, I've certainly never noticed it.

Now he posts on here though, I'll definitely have a word.

[Boxingmad]

Ed, what do you make of all the craziness surrounding the Mayweather v Pacquaio superfight? Do you think it's genuine or just publicity to build the fight up?

[ERIC GUY]

let Ed tell you about our working in Uganda for Justin Juuko's fight in Kampala!!! that was such a trip!!

[ed robinson]

Eric, highlights, for me, of that trip were the official so drunk he collapsed before we'd left the airport. Fondu saying the most interesting thing he'd ever eaten was monkey brains, with the monkey still alive. The two security guards we took with us who never made it out of their cells after losing their passports. Organising the seating in the arena only for the thousands of chairs to start arriving just before the first fight, all different colored garden chairs flung together on the back of trucks. The police using tear gas on the army when they tried to break in for free. The money all crumbling to dust as we counted it. Jon McDonald suddenly announcing that I was going to give a speech, with out warning me, to the thousands in attendance, just to see the look of horror on my face. But the absolute highlight was what you said to the deputy prime minister when he walked in on you, lying on your back really suffering with a stomach bug, and asked who you were.

Re. Boxingmad, no more idea than anyone else. Or who wins if it does happen.

[ed robinson]

Cheers Avril, thanks for the kind words but I'm a bit embarrassed by the thread, if I respond I'm keeping it going but if I don't I'm being rude. To answer your question, the American trips are great because you're ringside for history making fights. However, you don't get to know the boxers like you do over here or feel a part of it in the same way. They're all friendly enough and media savvy in America but it's not the same as here, where you meet a boxer and then watch his career progress from start to finish. Haye in Germany was great, that was a brilliant week, the best of both Worlds. I love my job, I always wanted to work in boxing and there aren't many full time jobs in the sport so I know how lucky I am.

[Deno1986]

mmmmmm bit strange that a new poster has bumped one of Lirva's old threads!

Top man is Ed

[dsimpson]

Have always liked Ed Robinson. It's a shame he doesn't have a regular blog on the sky sports website anymore. I liked his stuff leading up to the Hatton-Mayweather fight. And I'd rather he was on more of the Sky shows, actually on camera. I don't care if you get nervous Ed!

[Finch]

Ed,

Give us your honest opinion on Dave Darts!

[ed robinson]

Hey Finch,

Everyone on the boxing team at Sky works hard and really loves the sport. It's certainly not up to me to praise, defend or condemn anyone.

What I will say is that just about everyone comes in for stick on the forums, I'm lucky because I'm quite anonymous to most and have some good friends in the business. I'd hate to be a young prospect or high profile in TV because of the inevitable criticism. Perhaps that sounds a bit thin skinned and that it should come with the territory. Obviously you can't have a forum without some negative comments because it's a sounding board for opinions but I think that everyone who writes anything on here should assume that it's read by whoever they're talking about. The ironic thing is that it's the boxers and analysts who care about what the fans think that will get upset at the criticism.

[Finch]

Hey Finch,

Everyone on the boxing team at Sky works hard and really loves the sport. It's certainly not up to me to praise, defend or condemn anyone.

What I will say is that just about everyone comes in for stick on the forums, I'm lucky because I'm quite anonymous to most and have some good friends in the business. I'd hate to be a young prospect or high profile in TV because of the inevitable criticism. Perhaps that sounds a bit thin skinned and that it should come with the territory. Obviously you can't have a forum without some negative comments because it's a sounding board for opinions but I think that everyone who writes anything on here should assume that it's read by whoever they're talking about. The ironic thing is that it's the boxers and analysts who care about what the fans think that will get upset at the criticism.

Fair enough, it was a tongue in cheek request. TBH, i didn't expect a response and certainly didn't expect you to say anything negative.

Merry Christmas!

[ed robinson]

Sorry, reading my reply again it sounded a bit touchy, didn't mean it to be, anyway...

Merry Christmas to you and everyone on boxrec!

[ERIC GUY]

Eric, highlights, for me, of that trip were the official so drunk he collapsed before we'd left the airport. Fondu saying the most interesting thing he'd ever eaten was monkey brains, with the monkey still alive. The two security guards we took with us who never made it out of their cells after losing their passports. Organising the seating in the arena only for the thousands of chairs to start arriving just before the first fight, all different colored garden chairs flung together on the back of trucks. The police using tear gas on the army when they tried to break in for free. The money all crumbling to dust as we counted it. Jon McDonald suddenly announcing that I was going to give a speech, with out warning me, to the thousands in attendance, just to see the look of horror on my face. But the absolute highlight was what you said to the deputy prime minister when he walked in on you, lying on your back really suffering with a stomach bug, and asked who you were.

Re. Boxingmad, no more idea than anyone else. Or who wins if it does happen.

HeHe happy memories, Even before the journey started, Frank, Ed , and myself were at heathrow airport, the flight got cancelled, the airline got us a hotel room, we went for a big chinese dinner, and the airline mention Lennox Lewis!!, so they were expecting Lenny!!!, next day the flight was delayed and Frank said 'Bollocks' and went home, me and Ed went, the WBC official took advantage of the 'free drinks' on the plane, and got drunk!! I have video footage of him playing cowboys and indians with some locals in the arrivals and falling arse over tit on the railings.....
our security guys got arrested at the airport, I dont think the bullet proof vests helped at all...
big birds like vultures looking at you over the swiming pool, and I mean big!!!
I was stuck in a hotel with Boza Edwards, lizards running all over the place, but it was a laff!!
the weigh in at the football stadium 2000 people came rushing in, we told them all to grab a chair, but to no avail, would have saved us a job... fight night I was ill, food poisoning and sun stroke!! and almost told the PM where to FO to ( I was ill so thats my excuse)
trible dances in the ring!! ed trying to make a speech.. ha ha
Military v Police rampaging the stadium.. seriously!!
meeting the president was great,
taxi drivers with half pint of petrol in the motor, every window on the front of the car was cracked, (no MOT)
but it was fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Lightsoot]

When Ed Robinson first got the job I thought he was really poor, it looked like it was a case of being job for the boys because he was a well-liked ex-fighter. Having said that Ed has improved and I think as an interviewer he asks some excellent pertinent and probing questions these days which is a key part of his job.

At times, I get the impression that Ed is reading his questions off an autocue or from a script as his questions are often delivered a little rapidly, without any pauses. I'm certain Ed bases his questions on the action thatn he has just witnessed but sometimes I think he needs to slow down slightly when asking the fighter questions and waiting for a response. It seems a little like Family Fortunes where Les Dennis says, "Can I have 20 seconds on the clock please? If you give me an answer I've already had you'll hear this noise (beep) and I'll ask you for another."

Ed has improved a lot though and he comes across on here as a very likeable, knowledgeable and respected bloke so fair play to him. On another matter, I think Adam Smith gets far too much stick at times. Cast your mind back to 2005 when Smith gave allegedly a real grilling when Ricky Hatton laboured to a points win against Carlos Vilches. Like Robinson, Smith didn't shirk from answering questions that the viewers were asking back at home.

[Cossack]

When Ed Robinson first got the job I thought he was really poor, it looked like it was a case of being job for the boys because he was a well-liked ex-fighter. Having said that Ed has improved and I think as an interviewer he asks some excellent pertinent and probing questions these days which is a key part of his job.

At times, I get the impression that Ed is reading his questions off an autocue or from a script as his questions are often delivered a little rapidly, without any pauses. I'm certain Ed bases his questions on the action thatn he has just witnessed but sometimes I think he needs to slow down slightly when asking the fighter questions and waiting for a response. It seems a little like Family Fortunes where Les Dennis says, "Can I have 20 seconds on the clock please? If you give me an answer I've already had you'll hear this noise (beep) and I'll ask you for another."

Ed has improved a lot though and he comes across on here as a very likeable, knowledgeable and respected bloke so fair play to him. On another matter, I think Adam Smith gets far too much stick at times. Cast your mind back to 2005 when Smith gave allegedly a real grilling when Ricky Hatton laboured to a points win against Carlos Vilches. Like Robinson, Smith didn't shirk from answering questions that the viewers were asking back at home.

All Smith did was say to Hatton, "If you don't get the big fights, could you consider other options". At that point alledge jumped in and went on a rant at Smith. Smith kept his gob shut.

I disagree with your comments about Ed. His interview style is great imo. He has the voice for the job too and will ask the right questions without being disrespectful to the fighters and he lets the fighters talk too. Smith is just not a good commentator im afraid. Nice bloke, good presenter, poor commentator. Sad thing is that I have to mute the TV when he is commentating and lots of my mates are the same.

However, someone like Ed Robinson cannot be faulted imo. I suppose the only thing I would advise Ed to do is not get overconfident in his job, as he could get complacent, as he is so good at the job. However, that's not going to be a problem in my opinion.

Nobody can fault Ed Robinson in my book. Outstanding at his job and long may it continue Ed!

[Lightsoot]

When Ed Robinson first got the job I thought he was really poor, it looked like it was a case of being job for the boys because he was a well-liked ex-fighter. Having said that Ed has improved and I think as an interviewer he asks some excellent pertinent and probing questions these days which is a key part of his job.

At times, I get the impression that Ed is reading his questions off an autocue or from a script as his questions are often delivered a little rapidly, without any pauses. I'm certain Ed bases his questions on the action thatn he has just witnessed but sometimes I think he needs to slow down slightly when asking the fighter questions and waiting for a response. It seems a little like Family Fortunes where Les Dennis says, "Can I have 20 seconds on the clock please? If you give me an answer I've already had you'll hear this noise (beep) and I'll ask you for another."

Ed has improved a lot though and he comes across on here as a very likeable, knowledgeable and respected bloke so fair play to him. On another matter, I think Adam Smith gets far too much stick at times. Cast your mind back to 2005 when Smith gave allegedly a real grilling when Ricky Hatton laboured to a points win against Carlos Vilches. Like Robinson, Smith didn't shirk from answering questions that the viewers were asking back at home.

All Smith did was say to Hatton, "If you don't get the big fights, could you consider other options". At that point alledge jumped in and went on a rant at Smith. Smith kept his gob shut.

I disagree with your comments about Ed. His interview style is great imo. He has the voice for the job too and will ask the right questions without being disrespectful to the fighters and he lets the fighters talk too. Smith is just not a good commentator im afraid. Nice bloke, good presenter, poor commentator. Sad thing is that I have to mute the TV when he is commentating and lots of my mates are the same.

However, someone like Ed Robinson cannot be faulted imo. I suppose the only thing I would advise Ed to do is not get overconfident in his job, as he could get complacent, as he is so good at the job. However, that's not going to be a problem in my opinion.

Nobody can fault Ed Robinson in my book. Outstanding at his job and long may it continue Ed!

Blimey, you'll have to set up the Ed Robinson appreciation society . I think Smith gets far too much stick and he's a good bloke too IMO.

[Spud]

Personally think both of them are excellent interviewers - like Robinson especially however I do wish he was given a chance on the commentary side of things.

With regards to Smith as a commentator - like him a lot - he really puts an effort into trying to make the most dull fight seem exciting - problem is in that haste to drum up that excitement if you know anything about boxing - you cant help but sit and think just sometimes "what the f*ck is this bloke on about".

Smith is doing a good job - and Sky should give Robinson a chance to try his luck at the commentating.