In addition to his physical skills, he was mentally stronger than most anyone and also smarter. And he just had more champion in him ... a great competitor.
If you were given a blank sheet of paper to design the perfect fighter, this might be roughly what you would come up with. The fact that people still beat him, just proves that styles matter, tactics matter, and everybody is human!
How much of a great trainer was George Gainford? I've seen it asked before and now that you mention it I thought perhaps you could shed light
That was interesting but I agree with you there are some flaws in that summary of Robinson. For example Tommy Hearns was not faster than Robinson or even as fast, nor was Leonard. Also he equates height 100% with "size" or being the "bigger" man. Randy Turpin was maybe a shade shorter than SRR but no way was Robinson the bigger man in that matchup. Turpin was bigger and stronger as was LaMotta and Maxim. Countless other Middleweights Ray fought over his career.
Hearns was lightining fast against Leonard in their first match, Robi`s counters were very quick though, quicker than Manny`s.
Which bout did Ray show his ability to slip the jab best? LaMotta caught him with a lot of jabs before wilting in their final bout v each other.
Robinson shows it all there in I believe his last prime performance. Blazing speed and yeah was able to slip Turpin's jab quite well. Randy had a big power jab, awkward and effective. Turpin had above average quickness as well.
What didn't make him great is more the question, he had incredible power, speed, reach, skill, footwork and a iron chin. He had it all to the point where almost every single one of his opponents were outmatched in every department. What's bizarre to me is if you read about his training regiment he almost exclusively only did shadowboxing, running, jump rope and tap dancing, if that's true he was more of a natural talent than any other man
What a flash like left hook that knocked out Gene Fullmer, on May 1 1957, in round 5. When Fullmer arose, he looked like he drank one too many. Gene was a very good fighter.
He threw some but Sugar Ray was slipping them and moving in and out, side to side. He didn't allow Turpin to sit in those power lanes.