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Who Was Sugar Ray Robinson?
Sugar Ray Robinson, considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, turned professional in 1940 and swiftly established a dominant presence in the sport. He won his first 40 professional fights, showcasing his exceptional skill and resilience. Over a career spanning 25 years, Robinson won the world welterweight and middleweight titles, earning him the title of “pound for pound, the best” boxer. In 1958, he made history by becoming the first fighter to win a divisional world championship five times. By the time he retired in 1965, Robinson had achieved an impressive 175 career victories.
Early Years
Born Walker Smith Jr. on May 3, 1921, Robinson’s birthplace has been a subject of debate. While his birth certificate lists Ailey, Georgia, Robinson himself claimed in his autobiography that he was born in Detroit, Michigan. Despite this uncertainty, it is known that Robinson was raised in Detroit. When he was 11 years old, his mother moved the family to Harlem, New York, in search of a better life after separating from her husband.
Life in Harlem was challenging, and the family struggled financially. Robinson contributed by dancing for change in Times Square to help his mother save for an apartment. Concerned about her son getting involved in the dangerous environment surrounding them, Robinson’s mother enrolled him in a boxing club run by George Gainford at the Salem Methodist Episcopal Church.
Robinson’s boxing journey began in 1936 when he borrowed the Amateur Athletic Union card of another fighter, Ray Robinson, to enter a match. From that point on, he adopted the name “Ray Robinson” professionally. His trainer, George Gainford, later added the nickname “Sugar” after remarking that the young fighter was “sweet as sugar.” The moniker stuck, and “Sugar Ray Robinson” became one of the most famous names in boxing history.
Robinson’s talent was evident from the beginning. He won his first Golden Gloves title in 1939 as a featherweight and repeated the achievement in 1940. That same year, he made the decision to turn professional, embarking on a legendary career that would cement his legacy as a boxing icon.
Professional Career
Sugar Ray Robinson’s career, spanning 25 years, solidified him as one of the greatest boxers of all time. With an impressive record of 175 wins, 110 knockouts, and only 19 losses, his achievements remain a benchmark in the sport.
Robinson began his career with an astonishing 40 consecutive victories, earning him the moniker “uncrowned champion” among boxing fans. This title was a nod to his exclusion from fighting for the world welterweight title due to his refusal to align with the mob’s influence, a common issue in the sport at the time. However, his perseverance paid off when, after World War II, Robinson secured his shot at the title in 1946, defeating Tommy Bell in a 15-round unanimous decision. He held the welterweight crown until 1951. In 1958, Robinson made history by becoming the first boxer to win a divisional world championship five times, further cementing his legacy.
His ability to transcend weight classes earned him the title “pound for pound, the best,” a sentiment that remains deeply respected to this day. Even Muhammad Ali, who regarded Robinson as his idol, referred to him as “the king, the master.” Robinson’s style, known for its finesse and power, inspired Ali’s own matador-like technique, which he famously used to defeat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title in 1964. In 1984, The Ring magazine honored Robinson by placing him at No. 1 in its book The 100 Greatest Boxers of All Time.
Beyond the ring, Robinson embraced his fame and fortune, becoming a prominent figure in Harlem. His lavish lifestyle included driving a pink Cadillac and maintaining a large entourage of trainers, friends, and family members. Despite earning over $4 million throughout his career, Robinson’s extravagant spending led to financial difficulties, ultimately forcing him to continue fighting longer than planned.
Robinson retired from boxing for good in 1965 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame just two years later.
Personal Life and Death
After retiring, Robinson ventured into show business, appearing in television roles, which helped restore his financial stability. He eventually settled in Southern California with his second wife, Millie, and helped raise her two children, in addition to a son from his previous marriage.
In his later years, Robinson struggled with Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. He passed away on April 12, 1989, at Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California. His legacy as a boxing legend continues to endure.