Sugar Ray Robinson, American boxer (b. 1921)

Born Walker Smith Jr. on May 3, 1921, and forever etched into the annals of boxing history as Sugar Ray Robinson, this American professional boxer captivated audiences and dominated the sport from 1940 to 1965. Often heralded as the greatest boxer of all time, particularly in the esteemed pound-for-pound discussion, his career was a dazzling display of skill, power, and longevity.

Robinson's early days in boxing as an amateur were nothing short of spectacular, marked by a level of dominance that quickly made him a local legend. While his exact amateur record remains a topic of some historical debate, it is most frequently cited as an astonishing 85 wins and no losses, including an incredible 69 knockouts, 40 of which occurred in the very first round. However, some reports suggest that as a teenager, competing under his given name, Walker Smith Jr., he may have experienced a couple of defeats at the hands of boxers like Billy Graham and Patsy Pesca. This subtle mystery only adds to the allure of his formative years.

He transitioned to the professional ranks in 1940 at the youthful age of 19, and his ascent was meteoric. By 1951, just over a decade into his professional journey, he boasted an almost unbelievable record of 128 wins, only 1 loss, and 2 draws, with a staggering 84 knockouts. A testament to his unparalleled mastery, from 1943 to 1951, Robinson embarked on an incredible 91-fight unbeaten streak, a monumental achievement that stands as the third-longest in the entire history of professional boxing.

During this period of absolute supremacy, Sugar Ray Robinson claimed the world welterweight title, holding it with an iron grip from 1946 until 1951. In that pivotal year of 1951, he made a successful move up in weight class to capture the world middleweight title, showcasing his versatility and continued dominance across divisions. A brief hiatus from the sport saw him retire in 1952, but the lure of the ring proved too strong. Two-and-a-half years later, he made a triumphant return, regaining the middleweight title in 1955. His resilience and enduring skill were further underscored when he made history by becoming the first boxer ever to win a divisional world championship five times – a remarkable feat he accomplished in 1958 by decisively defeating Carmen Basilio to reclaim the middleweight championship.

Robinson's greatness was not only acknowledged by his opponents but also by the wider boxing community and experts. He was twice honored as "Fighter of the Year," first for his exceptional performances in 1942, and then again nine years and over 90 professional fights later, for his magnificent efforts in 1951, highlighting his sustained excellence across different eras of his career. Esteemed boxing historian Bert Sugar unequivocally ranked Robinson as the greatest fighter of all time, a sentiment echoed in 2002 when The Ring magazine placed him at number one on their prestigious list of "80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years." Even in the modern era, as of November 2021, BoxRec, a prominent boxing record database, continues to rank Sugar Ray Robinson as the greatest boxer, pound-for-pound, of all time, cementing his enduring legacy.

Beyond his breathtaking prowess inside the ropes, Robinson was equally renowned for his classy and famously flamboyant lifestyle outside the ring. He is widely credited with being the originator of the modern sports "entourage," traveling with a sizable group that often included a barber, masseuse, golf pro, secretary, manager, trainer, and a host of friends and companions. This trend-setting approach to celebrity living profoundly influenced how athletes presented themselves to the world. However, after his illustrious boxing career concluded, his attempts to forge a new path as an entertainer were unfortunately not successful, and he faced significant financial struggles until his passing on April 12, 1989. Despite these later challenges, his monumental contributions to boxing were formally recognized posthumously with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 2006, he was honored with a commemorative stamp issued by the United States Postal Service, ensuring his legend lives on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Ray Robinson

What was Sugar Ray Robinson's real name?

His birth name was Walker Smith Jr.

Why is Sugar Ray Robinson often considered the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time?

He is considered the greatest pound-for-pound because his exceptional skill, speed, power, and defensive abilities were so superior that he would have been dominant regardless of his weight class. This distinction emphasizes skill over sheer size, highlighting his unparalleled talent relative to any fighter in history.

What was Sugar Ray Robinson's famous unbeaten streak?

From 1943 to 1951, he went on a remarkable 91-fight unbeaten streak, which stands as the third-longest in professional boxing history.

Did Sugar Ray Robinson ever retire and then return to boxing?

Yes, he briefly retired in 1952 but made a successful comeback two-and-a-half years later in 1955, going on to regain the middleweight title, demonstrating his enduring prowess.

What significant championship record did Sugar Ray Robinson achieve?

He became the first boxer in history to win a divisional world championship five times, a monumental feat he accomplished by defeating Carmen Basilio in 1958 to reclaim the middleweight title.

What is the "modern sports entourage" that Sugar Ray Robinson is credited with originating?

Robinson popularized the concept of a large retinue of people – including staff like barbers, masseuses, and managers, along with friends and companions – who traveled with him. This contributed to his flamboyant public image and set a trend for how celebrity athletes operate.

What happened to Sugar Ray Robinson after his boxing career ended?

After retiring from boxing, he attempted a career as an entertainer, but it was unfortunately not successful, and he faced significant financial struggles until his death in 1989.