The world of boxing is filled with legends who have thrilled generations of fans across different schools of the sport. The 1940s to 1960s were two unforgettable decades for the noble art, as they saw the rise of numerous exceptional athletes who impressed the world and popularized the sport on an international scale. Among them is the name of Sugar Ray Robinson, an American boxer who is undoubtedly one of the most illustrious in the history of this sport.
What was the story of this boxer with extraordinary qualities? How did he enter the world of boxing? Without further ado, discover the biography of the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson.
Birth of a Boxing Genius
It was in 1921, more precisely on May 3, that Sugar Ray Robinson, whose real name is Walker Smith Jr, was born. According to his birth certificate, he was born in Ailey, Georgia, but in his autobiography, the boxer claims to have been born in Detroit. He was the youngest of three children, with two older sisters, Marie and Evelyn.
Sugar Ray Robinson’s father worked in the cotton and cornfields in Georgia before moving to Detroit, where he worked in the construction sector. He later found a job as a sewer worker, which he combined with other jobs to provide for his family, who lacked resources. The absence of his father deeply affected the boxer, and the poverty he lived in likely helped shape his character.
Worse still, the boxer was further separated from his father at the age of 12 when his parents separated, and he lived with his mother, who moved from Detroit to Harlem in New York City. Sugar Ray Robinson did not always dream of becoming a boxer. He initially wanted to become a doctor before dropping out of school in the ninth grade to pursue other interests.
He decided to join a boxing gym in New York, but was denied entry because he needed a boxing license from the Amateur Athletic Union, which was only issued to people over the age of 16. The future boxer circumvented the rules by presenting the card of one of his friends in New York, Ray Robinson. It was under this borrowed name that Walker Smith Jr. would become known, with the nickname “Sugar” added by his trainer at the time, who said his style was “sweet as sugar.”
A Perfect Amateur Career
Sugar Ray Robinson idolized certain boxers of his time, such as Henry Armstrong. However, it was Joe Louis who most captivated Robinson. Louis grew up in the same neighborhood as him when he was just 11 years old. Additionally, Sugar Ray Robinson admitted to being devastated by Joe Louis’ defeat in his fight against Schmeling in 1936, a match that left a lasting impact on him.
The Record
He began his amateur career in the city’s rings and ended it with a perfect record, winning 85 fights in total. Moreover, these victories were often overwhelming, as 69 of them were by knockout, and 40 of those knockouts occurred in the first round of the match. There was no doubt that Sugar Ray Robinson was a true force in the ring, and his upcoming professional career would be crowned with success, making him a champion.
The boxer also won the Golden Gloves title in the featherweight category in 1939, before earning the same title in the lightweight category the following year.
Sugar Ray Robinson, a Champion Destined for Success
While the hard work and determination of a boxer who becomes a champion are commendable, it must be acknowledged that Sugar Ray Robinson also had other advantages. Indeed, the boxing champion was indisputably well-proportioned and genetically well-suited for the sport. Robinson also had a very pure boxing style and could, at any moment in a fight, become a dangerous puncher and deliver a knockout. He had the soul of a fighter, and this was evident in his style, as he possessed the technical superiority to finish a match in the early rounds. All the elements were in place for the young boxer to quickly become a successful champion.
A Professional Career Filled with Titles
As those who knew him expected, Sugar Ray Robinson, whose real name was Walker Smith Jr., experienced an exceptional 25-year career, making his first appearance in 1940. By the end of his champion’s journey, he had accumulated no fewer than 202 fights, including 175 victories, 108 of which were by knockout, and 67 by decision. The titles were also plentiful, as he became world champion six times, five of which were in the middleweight category, and one title in the welterweight category.
Sugar Ray Robinson also became the first boxer to win a world championship title five times in a single weight class (in this case, the middleweight division). He also fought a few bouts in the light heavyweight category, although he did not win any titles there.
Retirement and Comeback to the Ring
In 1952, Sugar Ray Robinson was defeated by Joey Maxim in a light heavyweight bout. This was the boxer’s only loss by knockout. After this match, he decided to retire, but he returned to the ring two years later. His comeback was marked by success, as he regained his middleweight world champion title in 1955, a title he would win two more times, in 1957 and 1958.
Sugar Ray Robinson stepped into the ring for the last time in 1965, at the age of 44, in a fight against Joey Archer, which he lost by decision.
Sugar Ray Robinson: An Inspiration for Others
Sugar Ray Robinson inspired thousands of aspiring boxers following his impressive career, with admirers including great boxing figures like Mike Tyson and many others. Admiration for Walker Smith Jr. is even more pronounced considering that he fought in an era of fierce competition. Names like Fullmer, Lamotta, Basilio, Olson, and Zivic were some of the formidable opponents he faced. Despite this, the Detroit native excelled, undoubtedly becoming the best of his time. His greatest rival was likely Jack Lamotta, whom he fought no fewer than six times in the ring.
Sugar Ray Robinson was so dominant in the ring that it was because of him that the concept of the pound-for-pound ranking was introduced, recognizing the best boxer across all weight classes. The Detroit native passed away in 1989 at the age of 67 from Alzheimer’s disease. Sugar Ray Robinson continues to influence the world of boxing today and inspires countless athletes.
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