Sugar Ray Robinson

He had flaws. He lost fights. His home-life turned to ****. But he was also a ring legend.

 

The guy was obviously a once in a generation fighter and probably rates about where he deserves to be rated in boxing history. I've got no criticism for him.

 

Had very few weaknesses really from what I've seen, he had it all, hence his practically universal recognition as the GOAT.

 

Don't get me wrong.. HE WAS LIGHTYEARS AHEAD OF HIS TIME.. but imagine if he had Pernell Whitaker defense..... :nut.. he would be the scariest thing in LIFE (even though he's close already to the scariest in life).. just imagine him decking people like crazy and not getting touched once..... ONCE... because he did get tagged often but he fought so often it makes fighters today look like straight craiglist workers........:roll: Don't get me wrong.. he had good defense.. but not Sweet Pea.. Benitez.. Mayweather type don't ever get hit.. which kinda got developed in the game later on... but regardless he would be even more of a monster which is hard to imagine..

 

All fighters are different and nobody else really had Pernell Whitaker defense. But nobody else in ring history managed to do what Sugar Ray Robinson did either.

 

True

 

his only loss in his prime was vs a middleweight with a cast iron chin, oh yeah robinson weighed 144 lbs.

 

He had areas where he wasn't as strong as others, no fighter is perfect. For me he was the most complete attacking force I've seen in the ring, could throw every punch and combination in the book, was accurate and lightning fast with deadly knock out power in either hand. Also his balance was so good he could throw shots with knock out potential at any angle at any time.

The areas he was less strong in, I'd say physical strength, his inside game and defense. Not to say he was poor in the areas, just not as good. His other abilties like say his great chin negated the fact he may take shots in return, his ability to keep the fight at a range he enjoyed, mainly mid range meant he wouldn't need to be mauling on the inside etc meant any perceived weaknesses he may have we're difficult in the extreme to exploit

 

Good analysis. LaMotta said that he preferred facing Robinson than some of other cuties of the era, as Robinson would always make it a fight.

If he had a relative weakness it was just that - he did get involved in shootouts where it's inevitable that he would take some shots in return. However, taking into account that he was lightning quick and hit like a mule, there was a massive risk that the opponent would walk onto something a la Fullmer. Even if you did get through, his chin/recovery/heart combination was ATG level.

He wasn't the perfect fighter, but he was as close as there is footage available of. That isn't quite the same as saying he was the greatest fighter ever (he very well may be), but he had the best set of skills and attributes.

 

The guy is like combining the speed of SRL, power of Hearns, and chin of Hagler.

He lost to Lamotta in a fight where he barely weighed as a middleweight, then got back at him 5 times.

Then the lost to Maxim was more of bad luck than anything else. He was leading on the cards and he lost due to exhaustion.

A true once in a lifetime talent.

 

I guess he could lean into his punches a little. That's about it though, he was as good as it gets.

 

He wasn't flawless, his defence wasn't great and he was tagged regularly by lesser fighters. Carried his hands too low and could be caught regularly, especially with jabs. If you watch the 6th fight with Lamotta (only one recorded unfortunately), even though it's considered one of Robinson' greatest performances and wins, if you watch the whole fight, you'll Lamotta actually out jab Robinson, and land regularly, especially with his jab. He got away with this because he had one of the greatest iron chins in the history of the sport.

At 147, I think Robinson v Leonard is a toss up

At 154, I think Hearns would win a decision against Robinson