HANNAH Robinson is a history-maker!
The Darlington boxer became the first ever female to hold the IBF European title thanks to her hugely impressive weekend victory over Charlie Sutton, extending the 32-year-old's perfect start to life in the pro ranks.
Robinson also brought the Commonwealth Silver belt back to Darlington, and now has eyes on bigger titles - potentially even including world honours - in the next 18 months.
Robinson, who was born in Bishop Auckland but has lived in Darlington for the last 15 years, was inspired to get into boxing after watching the Rocky films when she was a teenager. She was a hugely talented amateur but decided to turn over to the pro ranks after the Paris Olympics rather than go through another four-year cycle ahead of the Los Angeles games.
And it's looking to be an inspired decision. Robinson has won six out of six as a pro since making her debut just under two years ago, but the weekend victory was by far the stand-out so far for the super-lightweight as she won her first titles.
Not only did she win the belts in her first 10-rounder, Robinson, who is trained by Peter Shepperson and fights out of the Darlington Elite Boxing Academy, also headlined for the first time on a big night of boxing at the Vertu Motors Arena, in Newcastle.
"As an amateur boxing for Great Britain, we boxed all over the world but it was only in small sports halls," she tells the Northern Echo.
"It was completely different to this. To headline locally on a massive card, there were some class fights on the bill and the atmosphere was brilliant. To be top of the bill was great."
When Robinson first took up boxing, the sport wasn't even part of the Olympics on the female side. That changed in 2012 and it's little surprise Robinson looks up to the likes of Nicola Adams, Katie Taylor and Natasha Jonas, who paved the way for others to follow. Robinson has even had the chance to spar with Jonas, who she says is always happy to pass on support and advice.
But now Robinson is one of those leading the way. She's a role model herself for the amateur girls in the gym, who were in attendance in Newcastle on Saturday night.
But Robinson won't settle for what she's already achieved. She now has eyes on bigger fights and more titles, which will also hopefully give her the chance to be rewarded financially, for so far in her career she's had to rely on the support of her "amazing" sponsors.
She says: "All of my fights so far, I've had to sell tickets and fund them myself. I haven't been paid for any of my fights. Now I have a title behind me it's time to start earning a little bit from it.
"I don't do it for the money, I just love the sport. I love the discipline and training. When you speak to any boxer, once you've been in the game it's addictive, the routine and lifestyle. It gets hold of you. But I feel like I've done my apprenticeship now and I want to box for more titles.
"I've been very fortunate to have my sponsors who have helped me get to this stage. Without them, I wouldn't be able to fight so I owe them so much. And nights like Saturday are what it's all about.
"The girl was a good strong opponent and it was a tough 10 rounds. Although it was quite wide on the scorecards each round was competitive and she was there throughout the fight. It was good to get that under my belt because it was the first 10 rounder I've done.
"To go through the 10 rounds and show a bit of everything, I showed that I can box on the back foot and showed I have the grit and heart to finish really strong. I had to show a bit of everything which is good for moving forward into bigger fights.
"Hopefully this is a gateway to bigger titles, maybe a European title then maybe a world title next year."
Hannah thanked her sponsors Babuls, Afterglow Tannin Studio, Meridian Upholstery, Undisputed, Magnum Properties, Mental Edge, Empire Fight Store and Capo Management.
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