Sugar Ray Leonard speaks at a "Walk To Cure Diabetes" event

By Jim Black

Lesser mortals than Sandy Robb would probably have called time on a boxing career after being diagnosed with Type One diabetes.

The Nairn-based light-heavyweight discovered that he was suffering from the disorder almost by chance four years ago.

Robb's condition came to light when he underwent routine medical checks after falling from his partner Shona's horse and breaking an ankle a month after his last fight in May 2006.

The diagnosis appeared to signal the end of a promising career, which had yielded seven wins from as many contests.

Consequently, Robb did not bother to reapply to the British Boxing Board of Control when his licence came up for renewal, believing that he would be wasting his time.

But Irvine-born Robb, who works as a water bailiff and sometimes gamekeeper, is keen to pick up the pieces of his career after being assured by a doctor specialising in the condition and his family GP that he is fit to resume boxing.

"The fear has always been that my blood sugar levels drop during a fight and I suffer a hypoglycaemic attack," he said.

I would not pursue this if I felt for a moment that I was taking an unacceptable risk with my health Sandy Robb

"But the specialist said my blood sugar levels very probably rise during a fight because of the effects of adrenalin, so the chances of me having a hypo are very thin.

"I am waiting for the results of further blood tests, but as things stand, provided there are no unforeseen abnormalities, the specialist says she will be happy to provide the Boxing Board of Control with a detailed report supporting my application.

"She has no objections to me boxing and my GP is also backing me. Both are pleased with the way I am handling my medication and the steps I have taken to control my condition.

"I am training twice a day as normal without any ill-effects, so if the doctors have no objections, it should be my choice. I cannot see how the Board can ignore such strong medical opinion."

According to Robert Smith, the BBBC general secretary, there is no hard-and-fast rule preventing 28-year-old Robb from holding a licence.

"It all depends on the full medical report from the specialist and the severity of the condition," he explained.

Although Robb's case is rare, it is not unique. Frenchman Antoine Palatis, who died recently in retirement, achieved the feat of winning domestic light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles despite suffering from Type One diabetes.

Robb has also been encouraged by the support he received from five-weight world champion Sugar Ray Leonard when the American ring legend visited Scotland last year.

Having learned of Robb's condition, Leonard attempted to contact the determined father-of-two through Robb's ex-trainer, Laurie Redfern, at Inverness Boxing Club.

Robb revealed: "Laurie was sitting at home watching TV when he received a call from a boxing MC saying he had someone with him who wanted a quick word.

"When the guy on the other end of the line said it was Sugar Ray Leonard, Laurie thought he was the victim of a wind-up. But Sugar Ray came on and explained that he had read an article featuring my condition and was keen to speak with me.

"Unfortunately, Laurie had lost my number so I never did get a call from the great man. But I do know that Sugar Ray is an American ambassador for diabetes.

"His father had the condition and that is what promoted Sugar Ray to turn professional, so he could pay his dad's medical costs to ensure that he received the best treatment available."

Robb concedes that there are some who will accuse him of being irresponsible, given his duty to bring up a young family.

But Robb insisted: "I would not pursue this if I felt for a moment that I was taking an unacceptable risk with my health. I do not consider that I am acting in a reckless fashion.

"Heavyweights tend to fight well into their 30s and I do not have a lot of miles on the clock."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version