Ed Robinson - Excellent Interviewer

[ed robinson]

You make some very valid points Ben. I'm sat ringside during the fights, continually thinking about what I'll ask at the end. I've got 1'30" for the interview so inevitably I've worked out much of what I'm going to ask before I start, assuming the boxer doesn't say something I need to react to. Everyone wants to hear from the fighter, not me, unless the fighter or promoter does need putting on the spot. I try to keep the questions as concise as possible otherwise I'm eating into their time but I know I also sound a bit rushed sometimes. It's all about experience and learning to relax a bit. It's difficult not to be a bit wired doing live interviews because it is a big deal and there's so much going on. It's not unlike boxing actually, lots of people look good shadow boxing, doing it for real sparring or in a fight is completely different. It's so frustrating because I haven't found it easy yet I can talk boxing with the best of them!

Regarding jobs for boys, the mistake I made going to Sky was thinking it was a job in boxing. It turned out to be very much a job in television! Certainly until recently. I got the job initially because I'd worked for Frank Maloney and allegedly but had to start all over again. Learning how to direct a cameraman, write scripts, edit etc. I don't think the fact I boxed has helped me progress at all, being a fan helps though, especially when the hours get long and you're tired and then remind yourself that it might be two in the morning and you're editing under pressure but you're in Las Vegas and you're putting together an interview you just did with someone like Floyd Mayweather. I'll also say again, I wasn't any good as a boxer, I turned pro but that doesn't mean much. Steve Bunce boxed at the Fitzroy Lodge, I've never asked Mick Carney but Steve probably had more amateur bouts than me. I sparred with Adam Booth once or twice, he'd have been a good prospect but for injury, James Russell who works as Frank Maloney's general manager too. Mick Costello once boxed Jim McDonnell as an amateur too! We'd all say boxing's in our blood but I don't know how much it's helped our careers...

[Lightsoot]

You make some very valid points Ben. I'm sat ringside during the fights, continually thinking about what I'll ask at the end. I've got 1'30" for the interview so inevitably I've worked out much of what I'm going to ask before I start, assuming the boxer doesn't say something I need to react to. Everyone wants to hear from the fighter, not me, unless the fighter or promoter does need putting on the spot. I try to keep the questions as concise as possible otherwise I'm eating into their time but I know I also sound a bit rushed sometimes. It's all about experience and learning to relax a bit. It's difficult not to be a bit wired doing live interviews because it is a big deal and there's so much going on. It's not unlike boxing actually, lots of people look good shadow boxing, doing it for real sparring or in a fight is completely different. It's so frustrating because I haven't found it easy yet I can talk boxing with the best of them!

Regarding jobs for boys, the mistake I made going to Sky was thinking it was a job in boxing. It turned out to be very much a job in television! Certainly until recently. I got the job initially because I'd worked for Frank Maloney and allegedly but had to start all over again. Learning how to direct a cameraman, write scripts, edit etc. I don't think the fact I boxed has helped me progress at all, being a fan helps though, especially when the hours get long and you're tired and then remind yourself that it might be two in the morning and you're editing under pressure but you're in Las Vegas and you're putting together an interview you just did with someone like Floyd Mayweather. I'll also say again, I wasn't any good as a boxer, I turned pro but that doesn't mean much. Steve Bunce boxed at the Fitzroy Lodge, I've never asked Mick Carney but Steve probably had more amateur bouts than me. I sparred with Adam Booth once or twice, he'd have been a good prospect but for injury, James Russell who works as Frank Maloney's general manager too. Mick Costello once boxed Jim McDonnell as an amateur too! We'd all say boxing's in our blood but I don't know how much it's helped our careers...

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the reply. You've come on leaps and bounds and as you've just highlighted you have to pack in a lot in only a tiny window of time. I like the fact that you ask intelligent and key questions instead of attempting to be pally with the fighter and the promoter. You're particularly good at steering away some fighters from plugging their sponsors

I didn't realise you get involved with all the editing and directing the cameramen as well. I bet its been a huge learning curve but extremely rewarding.

[lurkyshaka]

If people don't like Smiths commentary then they should do as i do....and make things interesting by betting on how long it'll be before he talks about one or other of the fighters having...."whipped themselves into great shape"

Funny as f*ck....he says it everytime. Cracks me up

Make it interesting by having over/under bets with mates/family on when exactly he'll come out with a 'whipped in shape' line. Its not if he'll say it, but when.

I personally don't mind his commentary too much. At least Adam's enthusiastic about his job and the sport. Imparting some wisdom can be left to the co-commentator.

I personally cannot stand Colin Hart.....pompous, dour, miserable yet smug old bastard who attempts to talk down to everyone. Hate it whenever SKY give him any work.
Though i'll never forget when watching Lennox Lewis crush Tyrell Biggs, hearing Hart claim that Lennox wasn't a puncher, he did made me smile with that one

Is his hair a wig? Or does his hair just look like its a wig? Does anybody here know??

[veriton]

i used to play the same game with ian darke and ''he is going through the gears now''

[King Tubby]

This is turning into a good thread. Always liked Ed's interviewing style. Where are you from Ed? Close to Fitzroy Lodge?

[ed robinson]

No King Tubby, I grew up in Maidenhead, near Jim Evans gym. I'm going to pop in and see him tonight as it goes, he's built a gym in his garden. A guy called Andy Edge helps him there and I used to box with Andy at Reading ABC, where I started as a 16 year old. Great days, Michael Sprott would come down, the trainer there at the time, Austin Owens, is such a legend. He lost to Moss O'Brien of the Repton in the aba final and boxed for Terry Lawless as a pro. His stories soon had me completely hooked.

As soon as I was 18 I moved to London and lived in Battersea for a while so I joined Battersea ABC. I was quite good pals with Howard Eastman. He actually kipped on my floor for a while when he was homeless. Anthony Campbell, Cham Joof, Dave Campbell, Gilbert Eastman were there as well. The trainer there got me a job working in the town hall, cleaning toilets and floors, stacking chairs and the like. Eventually I ended up going to University in Central London and going back to Reading to box. I had a match in Reading the night before my finals exams in London.

It was Dean Powell who said I should go down the Lodge. What a club! I still pop in when I can, to see Mick Carney and everyone else, an absolutely brilliant place. It's the gym used in Sky's opening title sequence, with Ted Bami sparring and a teenage David Haye banging his fists together.

When my wife got pregnant I moved back out West for more space. 17 years in London was plenty for me.

[d]

Just read all your responses on here Ed, great insights into your work and background.
Top thread!

[Finch]

No King Tubby, I grew up in Maidenhead, near Jim Evans gym. I'm going to pop in and see him tonight as it goes, he's built a gym in his garden. A guy called Andy Edge helps him there and I used to box with Andy at Reading ABC, where I started as a 16 year old. Great days, Michael Sprott would come down, the trainer there at the time, Austin Owens, is such a legend. He lost to Moss O'Brien of the Repton in the aba final and boxed for Terry Lawless as a pro. His stories soon had me completely hooked.

As soon as I was 18 I moved to London and lived in Battersea for a while so I joined Battersea ABC. I was quite good pals with Howard Eastman. He actually kipped on my floor for a while when he was homeless. Anthony Campbell, Cham Joof, Dave Campbell, Gilbert Eastman were there as well. The trainer there got me a job working in the town hall, cleaning toilets and floors, stacking chairs and the like. Eventually I ended up going to University in Central London and going back to Reading to box. I had a match in Reading the night before my finals exams in London.

It was Dean Powell who said I should go down the Lodge. What a club! I still pop in when I can, to see Mick Carney and everyone else, an absolutely brilliant place. It's the gym used in Sky's opening title sequence, with Ted Bami sparring and a teenage David Haye banging his fists together.

When my wife got pregnant I moved back out West for more space. 17 years in London was plenty for me.

So are you back in Maidenhead?

Fancy a bevvie some time?!

[King Tubby]

No King Tubby, I grew up in Maidenhead, near Jim Evans gym. I'm going to pop in and see him tonight as it goes, he's built a gym in his garden. A guy called Andy Edge helps him there and I used to box with Andy at Reading ABC, where I started as a 16 year old. Great days, Michael Sprott would come down, the trainer there at the time, Austin Owens, is such a legend. He lost to Moss O'Brien of the Repton in the aba final and boxed for Terry Lawless as a pro. His stories soon had me completely hooked.

As soon as I was 18 I moved to London and lived in Battersea for a while so I joined Battersea ABC. I was quite good pals with Howard Eastman. He actually kipped on my floor for a while when he was homeless. Anthony Campbell, Cham Joof, Dave Campbell, Gilbert Eastman were there as well. The trainer there got me a job working in the town hall, cleaning toilets and floors, stacking chairs and the like. Eventually I ended up going to University in Central London and going back to Reading to box. I had a match in Reading the night before my finals exams in London.

It was Dean Powell who said I should go down the Lodge. What a club! I still pop in when I can, to see Mick Carney and everyone else, an absolutely brilliant place. It's the gym used in Sky's opening title sequence, with Ted Bami sparring and a teenage David Haye banging his fists together.

When my wife got pregnant I moved back out West for more space. 17 years in London was plenty for me.

I always used to think 'I know him from somewhere?' when I used to see you on the telly, I live in Battersea, and used to do a bit of keep fit in the Fitzroy Lodge years ago. Maybe that was it.

[reggaereggae]

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?

Stop pretending yu don't know each other!

[DG.]

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?

Stop pretending yu don't know each other!

Reggae Reggae, you got some 'sauce' making a comment like that!

[reggaereggae]

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?

Stop pretending yu don't know each other!

Reggae Reggae, you got some 'sauce' making a comment like that!

I ADORE the reggae reggae sauce!! Levi Roots is the best success of the Dragon's Den

[Cossack]

Just read all your responses on here Ed, great insights into your work and background.
Top thread!

Indeed, it's a shame Ed can't be a bit more forthright in his opinions. I'd love to hear his break down of fights and who he thinks would win etc, especially on the British scene. But of course, he can't do that. His posts are thought provoking though. I also like Craig Slater who does the reports. He is always cheerful and seems to have a decent sense of humour which is what you want. I like the way he asks his questions, in a half serious half laid back way. He could possibly be a contender for Eds interviewing job this season!

[bennie]

Ed lent me a pen once. It is funny how little things stay with you. The man is a class act.

[reggaereggae]

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.

REally? Then why has the quality of the SKY UK shows been so dreadful in the last 18 months? I stopped my SKY subscription because of it. And the PPV shows have been terrible value.

On the plus side at least Sky have been picking up the good European show more - Klitchkos etc.

[Chambers2]

Ed lent me a pen once. It is funny how little things stay with you. .

What, you nicked it?

Top thread, keep up the good work Ed (cheers for your insight)

[Cossack]

lol, poor Eds never going to see the back of this thread!

[ERIC GUY]