As we all know, Sugar Ray Robinson fell short of adding to his considerable legend and legacy when he succombed to the horrific heat in losing to Joey Maxim. He never took another shot at the 175 crown (nor was he built to physically compete at that weight) ... but who do you figure is the best light heavyweight champ he would beat? Most figure he beats Maxim had temperatures not soared so high that the referee even fell out and had to be replaced. Is the pedestrian Maxim his ceiling at 175 or could he have bested someone better? If so, who’s the tops he could top at the weight?
The temperature on the night of the fight was 103 degrees. Referee Ruby Goldstein, overcome by the heat, was replaced by Ray Miller after the tenth round. Robinson, suffering from heat exhaustion and Maxim's harder punches, was unable to come out for the 14th round. It was the only time Robinson was stopped in 200 professional fights. At the time of the stoppage, Robinson led by scores of 10-3, 9-3-1 and 7-3-3. The Associated Press had Robinson ahead 9-3-1, and the United Press had him in front 10-2-1. Quotes Joey Maxim: "I was way behind, and I knew it. But I also knew I had him if I didn't run out of rounds." Jack Kearns (Maxim's manager): "The heat talk is an alibi and excuse. Robinson was nailed good in the belly in the tenth round and again in the twelfth and he got a left hook and a right to the head at the end of the thirteenth, when he was on the ropes. If the bell hadn't a rang he'd be dead. It was the way we planned it. We had Joey lay back and let Robinson punch himself out." External Links "Odds on Sugar Ray Robinson Whipping Joe Maxim Now 13-10" By Jack Hand, Associated Press, June 25, 1952 "Maxim, Heat Halt Sugar Ray" By Jack Cuddy, United Press, June 26, 1952 "Maxim And Heat TKO Sugar Ray In 14th Round" By Jack Hand, Associated Press, June 26, 1952
Jose Torres...or those lesser champs of the late 70's when the real champs retired and the ABC's had box-offs for the titles.
So hard to pick due to the weight differential. We know that he fought at just 157 1/2 when he did actually fight for the title. We can safely assume that is close to what he would fight at obviously. If we call it at 12 rounds he'd probably beat a few more than over 15. It's a lot of weight to give up. We do know however that he was totally schooling Maxim while it lasted and imo without the heat it's likely Maxim would not have beat him even if he went harder. Really physical guys would be tough. I'd like to see how much power he'd have carried.
What? It is pretty evident that you will tire more under a hot weather. And not, it is not even similar or close the smaller guy spends much more energy being alert all the fight
disagree strongly Pastrano was dominated by Jose Torres whom you describe as vastly overrated It’s the perfect matchup for Robinson. A shorter, boxer type with no power. Robinson would have trouble with long armed big men who could swarm and hit really hard. Not shorter outside boxers with no pop Pastrano was slick but he ain’t outboxing Robinson and he’s not knocking him out