The Original Sugar Ray

Today at lunch I was reading a story about Floyd Mayweather and his seeming obsession with his undefeated record. While putting Floyd’s 42-0 record into context, the author mentioned something that I think bears repeating. I think I’ve posted on this before, but we shouldn’t forget as time marches on. 

Flash back to the new year 1951. Sugar Ray Robinson was embarking on the 2nd phase of his career, moving up to middleweight. As he stood ready to fight old foe Jake LaMotta for the middleweight title, he was 29 years old and had a professional record of 120-1-2. He had held the welterweight title for 4+ years and was in the midst of an 82 fight unbeaten streak (with 2 draws). During the heyday of boxing, fighting in the glamorous welterweight division, from 1940-1950, Robinson fought 123 times and was beaten once (by LaMotta who Robinson then beat 5 consecutive times).

In 1951 and 1952 he won the middleweight crown, lost it, won it back, and defended it twice more. After knocking out the great Rocky Graziano to defend the title, he stood 131-2-2 for his career at 30 years old. After fighting the light heavyweight champ and retiring after 14 rounds due to heat exhaustion (leading on points), he retired for the first time. In 1955 he came back as a 34-yr old and won the middleweight crown 3 more times before retiring again in 1958 at age 37.

There is little room for doubt in my mind that Robinson was the greatest fighter ever. He was untouchable as a welterweight and outstanding as an aging middleweight. He fought everyone of note including several hall of famers. He once reeled off 91 fights in a row without a loss. Mayweather and his paltry 42-0 record don’t even make a dent.

S