1) The loss is present in lists compiled by IBRO's director and by Mike DeLisa, who have done separate researches of the same subject. 2) I doubt Bob Mee (British historian) gives a list of amateur fights of Robinson with dates, results, locations, weights. 3) Do you have the book and can look up the bibliography list, if it contains New York newspapers?
2) Yes you are correct the list is not in the book I am looking at 3) Lords of the Ring (Page 57) is one of the books with the 85-0 claim. I am always open to Robinson losing amateur bouts, but there is no definitive evidence I have seen to suggest Ray Robinson who was Walker Smith Jr did lose, but it maybe there, the problem is you need the a picture of Smith (Robinson) losing and the result...
He borrowed his friend's name when he was 14 (that is 1935 to early 1936), he was 16 years old when this fight happened, he was already known as Ray Robinson. What is the possiblity that there was a fighter with the same first and last names in the same area and near or at the same weight division where he fought (he fought Willie Pep the same year, who officially fought as a flyweight in 1938, they must have met at a catchweight).
Walker nicked the name from a bootleg boxer, so I am guessing it is far from out of the question that he was not only one to this....
He did this at least 2 years prior to the fight where he lost, as I already wrote. Since then there was no mention whatsoever of the other Ray Robinson, it also seems the case that the other guy was not as talented as Sugar Ray, ans it's highly unlikely that he'd get past 2 opponents (and stumble at 3rd) in the GG tournament, whereas the Sugar Ray wouldn't not even get into the tournament.
I was thinking he only lost four out of 400 and something fights, so I'm guessing your correct.I remember reading him and McCrory were going to meet up in some amateur tourney, but both lost before their potential matchup.