Many Called “Sugar” Ray Robinson Boxings Best!

Former world heavyweight champion had this to say about “Sugar” Ray Robinson, “I’d say I’m the greatest heavyweight of all time, but pound-for-pound, I still say “Sugar” Ray Robinson was the greatest of all time.”

Also, Ali said, “His beautiful boxing ability is still world-renowned to this day. That man was beautiful. Timing, speed, reflexes, rhythm, his body, everything was beautiful.”

Another former heavyweight champion, “Iron” Mike Tyson, whose manager and historian Jim Jacobs had the “Greatest Fight Films” of which Tyson studied, had the following to say about Ali:

“Have you ever watched “Sugar” Ray Robinson? Wasn’t he amazing?” He added, “Listen right, “Sugar” Ray Robinson had 40 fights. He went 40-0. And then he lost one fight (to Jake LaMotta) and went 80 fights undefeated. The record was like 128-1.“ (129-1-2) He had draws with Jose Basora, 54-9-4, in May of 1945 and in February of 1949 to Henry Brimm, 23-9-2.

Prior to the Basora draw, Robinson, in a rematch, defeated LaMotta, 45-8-2, over ten rounds, both in 1945.

In their third fight, Robinson again defeated LaMotta by a split decision in September 1945.

In December of 1946, Robinson won the NBA and NYSAC World Welterweight vacant titles, defeating Tommy Bell, 39-10-3, at Madison Square Garden, New York.

In August of 1950, Robinson won a rematch with Basora, knocking him out in the first round for the Pennsylvania Middleweight title in Scranton, PA.

In February of 1951, Robinson won the middleweight title, stopping LaMotta in 13 rounds at the Chicago Stadium.

Robinson’s second loss was to Randy Turpin, 40-2-1, in the UK in July of 1951. Just two months later, in a rematch, Robinson, 129-2-2, stopped Turpin in 10 rounds at the Polo Grounds, New York.

In June of 1952, Robinson failed in an attempt to win the light heavyweight title after 13 rounds to Joey Maxim, 78-18-4, while ahead 10-3, 9-3-1, and 7-3-3, due to exhaustion with the temperature at 104 degrees at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx.

Referee Ruby Goldstein had to be replaced by Ray Miller in round 10. In December, Robinson retired from boxing until January of 1955.

In Robinson’s return in January of 1955, he lost to Ralph “Tiger” Jones, 32-12-3, at Chicago Stadium. Five fights later, he regained the middleweight title, stopping Bobo Olson, 71-7, in 2 rounds in the Chicago Stadium in December of 1955.

In January of 1957, Robinson lost his title to Gene Fullmer, 37-3, at Madison Square Garden. Two months later, he regained the title, knocking out Fullmer in five rounds.

Four months later, he lost the title to Carmen Basilio, 51-12-7, by split decision at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx. Just six months later, he regained the title by split decision at the Chicago Stadium.

In January of 1960, it was evident Robinson, 143-6-2, was no longer the fighter he once was in losing to Paul Pender, 35-5-2, by a split decision at Boston Garden. Five months later, again, he lost a split decision to Pender.

Robinson ended his brilliant career with a 174-19-6 record and 109 by stoppage, only losing to Maxim by stoppage. He was a perfect example of not knowing when to retire for good.

One of Robinson’s wins was over another all-time great, Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong, 132-17-8, who once held three titles at one time at featherweight, welterweight, and lightweight.

Robinson was 44-1 at the time, and Armstrong was on the way out. If I had to rate the best pound-for-pound greats of all time, it would be Robinson No. 1 and Armstrong No. 2.