Sugar Ray Robinson, who was born Walker Smith Jr., is seen here after winning New York's Golden Glove Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 19, 1940. He started professional boxing soon after. Robinson died 25 years ago on April 12, 1989.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Sugar Ray Robinson, who was born Walker Smith Jr., is seen here after winning New York's Golden Glove Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 19, 1940. He started professional boxing soon after. Robinson died 25 years ago on April 12, 1989.
Bill Klein/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
A major early defeat in Robinson's career was against Jake LaMotta on February 5, 1943. Here, LaMotta knocks Robinson through the ropes in the eighth round. LaMotta won the decision in 10 rounds to give Robinson his first defeat in 130 fights, 41 of which were pro. It was the only time LaMotta beat Robinson in the six times they fought.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
A major early defeat in Robinson's career was against Jake LaMotta on February 5, 1943. Here, LaMotta knocks Robinson through the ropes in the eighth round. LaMotta won the decision in 10 rounds to give Robinson his first defeat in 130 fights, 41 of which were pro. It was the only time LaMotta beat Robinson in the six times they fought.
ap
Jackie Wilson and Sugar Ray Robinson, rivals inside the ring, were in the same aviation squadron in the Army. They are seen here at New York's Mitchel Field in 1943.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Jackie Wilson and Sugar Ray Robinson, rivals inside the ring, were in the same aviation squadron in the Army. They are seen here at New York's Mitchel Field in 1943.
PhotoQuest/Getty Images
Robinson handily defeated Kid Gavilan on July 11, 1949, retaining his welterweight title.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Robinson handily defeated Kid Gavilan on July 11, 1949, retaining his welterweight title.
Charles Hoff/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Robinson became known for his flashy lifestyle, including a legendary pink Cadillac. He is seen here in Harlem in 1950 outside his club, Sugar Ray's.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Robinson became known for his flashy lifestyle, including a legendary pink Cadillac. He is seen here in Harlem in 1950 outside his club, Sugar Ray's.
George Karger//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Part of his lifestyle was his entourage, which often included a barber, voice coach and trainers as well as friends.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Part of his lifestyle was his entourage, which often included a barber, voice coach and trainers as well as friends.
Gordon Parks//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Randolph Turpin is seen right after Robinson landed his final punch in the 10th round on September 12, 1951. The fight was then called to save Turpin from further damage. The fight allowed Robinson to reclaim his middleweight title after Turpin defeated him two months earlier in London.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Randolph Turpin is seen right after Robinson landed his final punch in the 10th round on September 12, 1951. The fight was then called to save Turpin from further damage. The fight allowed Robinson to reclaim his middleweight title after Turpin defeated him two months earlier in London.
Keystone/Getty Images
Robinson hits the mat during an attempt at the light-heavyweight championship against Joey Maxim at Yankee Stadium in 100-degree heat on June 25, 1952. Robinson announced his retirement from boxing six months later.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Robinson hits the mat during an attempt at the light-heavyweight championship against Joey Maxim at Yankee Stadium in 100-degree heat on June 25, 1952. Robinson announced his retirement from boxing six months later.
Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images
While in retirement, Robinson looked to the entertainment industry for employment, including performing as a dancer. Here, he is seen dancing on the Esplanade du Trocadero in Paris in 1954.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
While in retirement, Robinson looked to the entertainment industry for employment, including performing as a dancer. Here, he is seen dancing on the Esplanade du Trocadero in Paris in 1954.
Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
Robinson came out of retirement in 1955. He regained the middleweight championship when he defeated Bobo Olson on December 9, 1955.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Robinson came out of retirement in 1955. He regained the middleweight championship when he defeated Bobo Olson on December 9, 1955.
Paul Slade/Paris Match via Getty Images
Robinson gained the middleweight title for the fifth and final time in March 1958 when he defeated Carmen Basilio in Chicago.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Robinson gained the middleweight title for the fifth and final time in March 1958 when he defeated Carmen Basilio in Chicago.
George Silk//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Robinson lost his middleweight title for the last time on January 22, 1960. Paul Pender defeated Robinson in a 15-round split decision.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
Robinson lost his middleweight title for the last time on January 22, 1960. Paul Pender defeated Robinson in a 15-round split decision.
AP
After quitting boxing for the final time in 1964, Robinison again turned to entertaining. He is seen here in the movie "Candy" with Richard Burton and Ewa Aulin in 1968.
Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout career —
After quitting boxing for the final time in 1964, Robinison again turned to entertaining. He is seen here in the movie "Candy" with Richard Burton and Ewa Aulin in 1968.
everett collection