Not through the amateurs no, this was late 40's early 50's (can't remember the exact years) I guess Gainford was trying to protect Robinson from the gamblers, Mafia and anyone else there to corrupt him. There was lots of dodgy characters around the sport at that time and Gainford knew it, SRR was a constant worry to him. I've read the Robinson's lay-off after the Maxim fight was due to him becoming tired of all the corruption and the Mafia controlling the profits and fights. Not sure how much credibility that has but still, it makes you wonder if they had a bigger influence on him than we think.
He lost once in the amateurs I believe, HH knows a bit more about the subject. There's an old newspaper clipping showing a Walker Smith Jr losing (I cant remember who to).
yeah robinson lost by decision, his actual record is 85-1 not 85-0 as most people think. i didnt know bumpy protected him so late in his career, maybe thats the reason the mafia kept away, cuz of bumpy johnson, the guy was feared and respected by everyone, he even gave joe louis $100000 when joe was in trouble, not a loan, a gift. he sure protected his guys, ray was from harlem so was likely to be included, thanks again though, didnt know about bumpy's protection of ray, learn sumthing new every day...
I'm a great nephew of Billy graham My Grandfather was Billy graham's brother my grandfather James graham and my father have both told me this story a few times apparently super ray and Billy graham fought for the title at some point and the fight was fixed Billy was told to take a fall but didn't everyone thought Billy won the fight that night but two of the judges score cards went to suger ray in a very controversial decision. Years later on one of the judges death beds it came out that the fight indeed was fixed for super ray. This was told to me by both my grandfather my dad and his son Sean graham who is a second cousin.
My dad told me, (that was his era), Graham beat Robinson in the amateurs. As pros, Robinson would have beaten him, but it would go the distance as Graham was as tough as they came. Williams gave an interview where he said Ray called him ugly. He also said he could never have beaten Robinson. Very humble words from Ike considering he ranked right near SRR at the time and was a brutal slashing puncher. His wife didn't have much faith in him to say such a thing, ouch! Poor Ike deserved more credit than that, he was a powerhouse.
I give Ike more credit than he gives himself if true. I think Williams has a pretty good chance to pull the upset. Robinson was no God, he has lost to some fighters that really had no biz beating him. If guys like Moyer or Jones can get a win, I give Williams a good chance also.