Best fights of Sugar Ray Robinson
Over 25 years as a professional, Sugar Ray Robinson compiled a 173-19-6 (109) record, including 25 title fights across three weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Sugar Ray Robinson KOs Gene Fullmer in their 2nd fight
On May 1, 1957 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Gene Fullmer for the NBA, The Ring, and NYSAC middleweight titles. It was their second meeting. Robinson was 35 years old with a record of 139-5-2, and Fullmer was 25 with a record of 32-3. Robinson was coming off a loss, while Fullmer was on a 8-fight winning streak. Robinson stopped Gene Fullmer via KO in the 5th round. Crowned the new middleweight champion.
2. Sugar Ray Robinson KOs Jake LaMotta in their 5th fight
On February 14, 1951 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Jake LaMotta for the The Ring middleweight title. It was their fifth meeting. Robinson was 29 years old with a record of 120-1-2, and LaMotta was 28 with a record of 78-14-3. Robinson was on a 31-fight winning streak and LaMotta was on a 5-fight winning streak. Robinson stopped Jake LaMotta via TKO in the 13th round. Crowned the new middleweight champion.
3. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Carmen Basilio in their 2nd fight
On March 25, 1958 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Carmen Basilio for the NBA, The Ring, and NYSAC middleweight titles. It was their second meeting. Robinson was 36 years old with a record of 140-6-2, and Basilio was 30 with a record of 52-12-7. Robinson was coming off a loss, while Basilio was on a 4-fight winning streak. Robinson won via split decision. Crowned the new middleweight champion.
4. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Kid Gavilán in their 2nd fight
On July 11, 1949 Sugar Ray Robinson defended his NBA and The Ring welterweight titles against Kid Gavilán. It was their second meeting. Robinson was 28 years old with a record of 94-1-2, and Gavilán was 23 with a record of 53-6-2. Robinson was on a 5-fight winning streak and Gavilán was on a 7-fight winning streak. Robinson won via unanimous decision. Defended the titles.
5. Sugar Ray Robinson KOs Rocky Graziano
On April 16, 1952 Sugar Ray Robinson defended his NBA and The Ring middleweight titles against Rocky Graziano. Robinson was 30 years old with a record of 130-2-2, and Graziano was 33 with a record of 67-8-6. Robinson was on a 2-fight winning streak and Graziano was on a 15-fight winning streak. Robinson stopped Rocky Graziano via KO in the 3rd round. Defended the titles.
6. Sugar Ray Robinson KOs Fritzie Zivic in their 2nd fight
On January 16, 1942 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Fritzie Zivic in a welterweight bout. It was their second meeting. Robinson was 20 years old with a record of 26-0, and Zivic was 28 with a record of 113-27-7. Robinson was on an undefeated 26-fight winning streak. Robinson stopped Fritzie Zivic via TKO in the 10th round.
7. Sugar Ray Robinson draws with Gene Fullmer in their 3rd fight
On December 3, 1960 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Gene Fullmer for the NBA middleweight title. It was their third meeting. Robinson was 39 years old with a record of 143-8-2, and Fullmer was 29 with a record of 44-4-1. Robinson was coming off a loss, while Fullmer was coming off a win. The fight ended in a points decision.
8. Sugar Ray Robinson loses to Carmen Basilio via split decision
On September 23, 1957 Sugar Ray Robinson defended his NBA and The Ring middleweight titles against Carmen Basilio. Robinson was 36 years old with a record of 140-5-2, and Basilio was 30 with a record of 51-12-7. Robinson was coming off a win and Basilio was on a 3-fight winning streak. Robinson lost via split decision. Lost the titles. Went the distance with Basilio.
9. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Fritzie Zivic
On October 31, 1941 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Fritzie Zivic in a welterweight bout. Robinson was 20 years old with a record of 25-0, and Zivic was 28 with a record of 111-26-6. Robinson was on an undefeated 25-fight winning streak and Zivic was coming off a win. Robinson won via unanimous decision.
10. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Denny Moyer
On October 21, 1961 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Denny Moyer in a welterweight bout. Robinson was 40 years old with a record of 144-9-3, and Moyer was 22 with a record of 30-5. Both Robinson and Moyer were coming off a win. Robinson won via unanimous decision.