Sugar Ray Robinson: history, height, weight, age, wealth

Brief summary of the article

Key point	Details
Boxing legend	Sugar Ray Robinson, alias Walker Smith Jr.
Incredible career	200 fights, 173 wins, 109 KOs
Size and weight	1.80 m, 72 kg
Lasting impact	Inspiration for modern boxing and popular culture
Heritage	Still regarded as one of the greatest

If you've ever heard of boxing, chances are the name Sugar Ray Robinson has come to mind. And if not, get ready to learn about one of the greatest boxers of all time. He wasn't just a fighter, but an iconic figure who redefined what it meant to be a champion. From his unique style to his complex life outside the ring, it's time to delve into the life of a man who literally changed the face of boxing. Fasten your gloves, let's go!

Who was Sugar Ray Robinson?

Sugar Ray Robinson, born as Walker Smith Jr. on 3 May 1921 in Ailey, Georgia, is the perfect example of a man's rise through boxing. His career began modestly, in an America plagued by segregation and social inequality. From an early age, Robinson discovered a passion for boxing, a sport which, at the time, was not only a means of earning a living, but also an escape from the harsh realities of life. At just 14, he entered the world of amateur boxing clandestinely, using the identity card of a friend called Ray Robinson. Thus was born the name 'Sugar Ray Robinson', a name that would become synonymous with greatness.

The nickname 'Sugar' was given to him by a journalist after attending one of his first fights, who said that his style was "as sweet as sugar". And that's exactly what it was. Robinson wasn't just a boxer; he was an artist in the ring, able to move with a grace that made it look like he was dancing more than fighting. But make no mistake: behind this apparent lightness lay a devastating power, a punch capable of making the toughest opponents fold. In fact, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division before dominating the middleweights. Sugar Ray Robinson was excellence incarnate, a perfect blend of speed, technique and power.

The phenomenal career of Sugar Ray Robinson

There's no other word to describe Sugar Ray Robinson's career: phenomenal. Imagine a boxer who fights over 200 times, with a staggering win rate of 173 fights won, including 109 by KO. Yes, you read that right, 109 KOs. It's a staggering figure, and one that shows just how much of an impact Robinson has on his opponents. But it's not just about the numbers. What makes Robinson's career so impressive is the way he fought. Every time he stepped into the ring, it was a spectacle. He could let you think he was going in one direction, then suddenly pivot, landing a blow where you least expected it.

No two Robinson fights were ever the same. He knew how to adapt to his opponents, study their strengths and weaknesses, then exploit the slightest flaw with surgical precision. Robinson also made history as the first boxer to claim the world title in two different weight categories, moving from welterweight to middleweight with disconcerting ease. But his impact cannot be measured solely in terms of titles. Robinson took on some of the biggest names of his era, from Jake LaMotta to Gene Fullmer, each of those fights etched in the annals of boxing.

Among his most famous rivalries, the one with Jake LaMotta is undoubtedly the most memorable. The two men fought six times, and each bout was more intense than the last. LaMotta, known for his toughness and aggressive style, seemed the perfect opponent to test Robinson's limits. But each time, Robinson managed to find the key to victory, even when it looked like he was about to give in. It is this ability to get back up and triumph, even in the face of adversity, that has made Robinson a living legend.

Height, weight and age of Sugar Ray Robinson

When we think of Sugar Ray Robinson, we often imagine a colossus, a giant of the ring. But in reality, Robinson was 1.80 metres tall, a fairly standard height for a boxer, especially at the time. What made him unique was not just his height or weight, but the way he used every inch and every pound to dominate his opponents. With a fighting weight generally hovering around 72kg, Robinson was in the middleweight category. But don't let these figures fool you. Every gram of his body was pure dynamite.

What set Robinson apart was his ability to move with surprising lightness for his class. He had a speed of hand and foot that was rarely found in boxers of his size. His footwork was so fluid that he seemed to glide across the ring, avoiding punches with disconcerting ease while preparing his own attacks. At an age when other boxers were beginning to slow down, Robinson continued to hone his craft, remaining a threat to anyone who dared take him on.

It's also interesting to note that Robinson was never obsessed with dieting or the extreme physical preparation seen in some of today's boxers. His approach was more natural, more intuitive. He knew how to listen to his body, to understand when it was ready to fight and when it needed rest. It was this wisdom, combined with incredible natural talent, that enabled him to stay at the top of his game for so long. Robinson fought until the age of 44, a feat in itself in a sport as demanding as boxing.

The fortune of Sugar Ray Robinson

Let's talk about money now, because yes, even boxing legends need to fill their bank accounts. In his heyday, Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the highest paid athletes of his time. He had a flamboyant style, both in and out of the ring, and this drew in the crowds. His fights sold like hotcakes, and he had no qualms about negotiating fees that matched his talent. Robinson was known for his taste in luxury. He owned several cars, had tailor-made suits and frequented New York's top jazz clubs. In short, he was a real star, not just a sportsman.

But like many athletes of his time, Robinson didn't always make the right financial choices. He invested in businesses that turned out to be failures, and his lavish spending ended up digging a hole in his wealth. At one point, he even had to return to the ring to pay off his debts, fighting when he had already passed his peak. This facet of his life shows that even the greatest are not immune to bad decisions, and that glory can sometimes be fleeting.

Despite this, it is important to recognise that Robinson has always been able to bounce back. His determination and love of boxing have helped him overcome these financial challenges. Although his fortune fluctuated throughout his life, his legacy as a boxer remains intact, priceless even. Robinson was not only rich in money, he was also rich in respect, admiration and influence. And that's something money can't buy.

Highlights of his career

When it comes to defining moments in Sugar Ray Robinson's career, there are so many that it's hard to know where to start. But if there's one fight that perfectly sums up Robinson's greatness, it's his sixth bout with Jake LaMotta, dubbed 'The St. Valentine's Day Massacre'. This fight, which took place on 14 February 1951, went down in history not only for its intensity, but also for what it revealed about Robinson as a fighter. LaMotta, nicknamed 'The Raging Bull', was known for his incredible stamina. He could take punches that few others could withstand, and he had an aggressive fighting style that put pressure on his opponents from the very first round.

Robinson, on the other hand, had a more technical and considered style. In this fight, we saw Robinson apply an almost perfect strategy, combining dodges, counter-attacks and impeccable management of his energy. Round after round, he wore down LaMotta, until the latter was literally exhausted, unable to defend himself properly. At the end of the 13th round, the referee ended the fight, giving Robinson victory by technical knockout. This fight is remembered as one of the greatest in the history of boxing, not only for Robinson's performance, but also for the dramatic intensity it brought.

But that's just one of the many moments that defined Robinson's career. There was also his victory over Gene Fullmer in 1957, when he regained his middleweight title with a perfect left hook that sent Fullmer to the mat. Dubbed "the greatest punch in history", it was a demonstration of Robinson's precision and power. And what about his multiple fights against Carmen Basilio, where every encounter was a fierce battle for supremacy in the middleweight division? Every fight, every victory, and even every defeat, helped forge Robinson's legend.

Its impact on modern boxing

When it comes to impact, few boxers can claim to have left as deep an imprint as Sugar Ray Robinson. Before him, boxing was often about brutality and brute force. Robinson showed that there could be another path: that of elegance, strategy and technique. He introduced a new style of boxing, one that blended the grace of a dancer with the power of a sledgehammer. And it's no exaggeration to say that without Robinson, the sport of boxing as we know it today would be very different.

Robinson was a source of inspiration for a whole generation of boxers. Muhammad AliAli, arguably one of the greatest after Robinson, has often mentioned Robinson's influence on his own career. Ali's "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" style has its roots in Robinson's movements, in his ability to combine speed and precision. Even modern boxers like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have been influenced, consciously or unconsciously, by what Robinson brought to the sport.

Robinson also paved the way for a new way of thinking about a boxer's career. He was one of the first to understand the importance of managing one's career like a business, negotiating contracts in such a way as to maximise earnings, while looking after one's reputation and image. This model was followed by many boxers after him, who saw Robinson not only as a model of success in the ring, but also outside it.

Its legacy in popular culture

Sugar Ray Robinson was not just a boxer; he was a cultural icon. His influence extended far beyond the ring. In the 1940s and 1950s, he was a glamorous figure, often seen in the jazz clubs of Harlem, surrounded by music and film stars. He hung out with legends such as Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington, and his presence in these circles helped to make him a key figure in African-American culture at the time.

Robinson has also been represented in a number of films and documentaries, testifying to the impact he had not only as a boxer, but also as an icon of popular culture. His style, charisma and ability to captivate crowds have inspired generations of artists, musicians and even writers. In music, for example, references to Robinson can be found in many jazz and blues songs, where he is often cited as a figure of strength and resilience.

Even today, his influence lives on. In boxing video games, in discussions about the greatest athletes of all time, the name Sugar Ray Robinson comes up regularly. He has become a symbol of what it means to be not only a great sportsman, but also a personality who transcends his sport to become a legend in every sense of the word.

The last years of his life

Robinson's career in the ring may have been legendary, but his final years were marked by equally impressive challenges. After retiring from boxing, Robinson tried to make the transition to a career in entertainment. He opened a nightclub, made a few film and TV appearances, and even tried his hand at show business. But unlike his boxing career, his efforts to break into these fields met with limited success.

However, these attempts show another fascinating aspect of Robinson: his constant desire to reinvent himself, to never be content to stand still. Even after reaching the heights of fame as a boxer, he was still looking for new challenges, new ways to define himself. Unfortunately, commercial success was not always forthcoming, and his poor financial decisions eventually caught up with him. Towards the end of his life, Robinson suffered from health problems, notably Alzheimer's disease, which gradually tarnished his final years.

But despite all this, his legendary status never wavered. Robinson died on 12 April 1989, leaving behind a legacy that few can match. His name is still spoken with respect, his style still studied by those who seek to understand what makes sport great. Robinson was not just a champion in the ring, he was a champion in life, always ready to face challenges with the same determination that had seen him triumph in the arena.

Conclusion

Sugar Ray Robinson remains one of the biggest names in boxing, a true giant whose impact still resonates today. His life, filled with dazzling successes and personal challenges, is a testament to the resilience, talent and drive of a man who rose to the top of the boxing world and left an indelible mark. His legacy is measured not only in titles and victories, but also in inspiration for generations of boxers and fans. Sugar Ray Robinson was not just a champion; he was and will remain a timeless legend.

Sources : Boxing Wiki

See also : Official veterans' website