CLASSIC 3-Rounder: Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Rocky Graziano

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1. Graziano leaped in with pawing lefts in an attempt to infiltrate Ray's strong jabs. The rest of the round was a great battle. A left uppercut by Ray hurt Graziano, and Ray pinned Graziano on the ropes and the two exchanged furiously. Graziano showed tremendous counterpunching prowess, driving Ray back actually. A few seconds later, Graziano jumped in with a left, and Ray countered with three lightning-fast left hooks that staggered Graziano. Ray followed up with straight lefts and rights, but after receiving counters from Graziano, backed off. At the bell, Ray threw two left hooks and an overhand right, to which Rocky countered with a right overhand. Robinson.
2. Robinson boxed conservatively at long range. Graziano landed a right at the bell, but apologized. Graziano.
3. Ray came out pretty mad, throwing a lot of hooks to both head and body. Perhaps Ray got too aggressive. A series of quick left and right hooks backed Rocky (clearly hurt) into the ropes, and a big overhand right by Graziano knocked Ray to one knee. What took place afterwards was slow, but masterful, and hard to describe. You just have to watch it for yourself to see how deftly Ray handles Rocky before landing two left hooks and a beautiful right uppercut that sent Graziano's mouthpiece flying into the crowd, and Rocky onto the deck, unable to get up.

Verdict: Great fight. One of my favorites of all time. A perfect and fast 3-rounder. One of SRR's greatest performances that is certainly a candidate for #1.

 

Really? Why?