3. Sugar Ray Robinson (174-19-6, 109 KO, 2 NC)

Born: May 3, 1921

Died: April 12, 1989

 

Many historians consider Robinson to be the greatest fighting machine ever assembled, and there’s plenty of evidence to back them up.  Robinson was a gifted boxer who could dominate a fight with just his jab.  He was the perfect blend of speed, power, grace and style and his regal bearing was befitting of a man for whom the phrase 'pound for pound' was invented.  During his prime, it is very likely that God wouldn’t have got anywhere near him. So synonymous is he with greatness in the field of pugilism that he has become the de facto #1 on lists such as this one, and this, perhaps, is no bad thing.  He is qualified for the spot.  Putting Robinson under a microscope is akin to studying the surface of the sun with a magnifying glass.  Boxing history is replete with fighters, mostly black, who were excellent, but held no title.  Robinson did not become one of these for several reasons but most of all it was his sheer unadulterated brilliance coupled with an exciting, punching style that meant the fans loved him.

 

Robinson won his first 40 professional fights before losing to Jake LaMotta in the second of their six fights, then went undefeated in his next 91.  His pre-title victims included LaMotta (five times), Fritzie Zivic (twice), Sammy Angott (three times), Marty Servo (twice), George Costner, and a faded Henry Armstrong.

 

Robinson held the welterweight title between 1946 and 1951 and amongst his defenses is the jewel of his welterweight resume, a fifteen-round defeat of Kid Gavilan.  It can be argued successfully that this was a fight between primed versions of the two best fighters ever to make 147 pounds and that Robinson won, if not quite at a canter, then without digging in the spurs.  A close opening seven was contrasted by a back eight firmly controlled by the champion.  Though Robinson made only five defences of his welterweight title, Sugar Ray was 46-0-1 (29 KO) during the four-plus years he was champion.  it is my opinion that the number one welterweight birth cannot be disputed.  That belongs to Robinson, and to find meaningful competition he would have to step up to middleweight.

 

Entering his first fight with Randy Turpin in 1951, Robinson was an incredible 129-1-2 (84 KO).  That’s why Turpin’s decision victory still ranks among the greatest upsets in boxing history.  When Robinson was at his best, he indeed was the greatest of all time.

 

Where he falls short on this list is his record from the time he first won the middleweight title until his last championship try 10 years later.  Including the 1951 KO win over LaMotta to win the belt, Robinson’s record was a mediocre 23-8-1 (15 KO).  Yes, Robinson was miles ahead on points against light-heavyweight champion Joey Maxim before collapsing in the 104-degree heat and a 39-year-old Robinson was unlucky to get a draw in his third fight with Gene Fullmer in 1960.  But Robinson was struggling and cut badly in his rematch with Turpin and only a desperate and historic rally saved Sugar Ray from a legacy-crushing defeat.  He lost virtually every round to Ralph "Tiger" Jones in his second fight back from a two year retirement in 1955 and the remnants of Robinson lost twice to Paul Pender in 1960.  He was a five-time middleweight champion, but that also meant he lost the belt five times.

 

Make no mistake, Robinson was brilliant, but I believe two men stand above him, both of whom were Robinson victims when one was too young and the other too old.