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 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Kid Gavilán
On September 23, 1948 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Kid Gavilán in a welterweight bout. Robinson was 27 years old with a record of 86-1-1, and Gavilán was 22 with a record of 46-5-2. Robinson was on a 32-fight winning streak and Gavilán was on a 4-fight winning streak. Robinson won via unanimous decision.
6. 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.
7. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Denny Moyer
On October 21, 1961 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Denny Moyer in a middleweight 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.
8. Sugar Ray Robinson KOs Fritzie Zivic in their 2nd fight
On January 16, 1942 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Fritzie Zivic. 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.
9. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Jake LaMotta in their 4th fight
On February 23, 1945 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Jake LaMotta. It was their fourth meeting. Robinson was 23 years old with a record of 53-1, and LaMotta was 22 with a record of 45-8-2. Robinson was on a 13-fight winning streak and LaMotta was on a 2-fight winning streak. Robinson won via unanimous decision.
10. Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Henry Armstrong
On August 27, 1943 Sugar Ray Robinson faced Henry Armstrong. Robinson was 22 years old with a record of 44-1, and Armstrong was 30 with a record of 134-18-8. Robinson was on a 4-fight winning streak and Armstrong was on a 7-fight winning streak. Robinson won via unanimous decision.