How come Sugar Ray Robinson failed to fight many of the top black fighters of his era

$$ might have been an issue at that time.

Two black fighters wouldnt draw that much compared to a white/black matchup. Robinson was in it to make $ but at the same time he fought all the tough fighters he had to fight black or white.

When Servo retired rather than defend his crown against Robinson it was an issue for Tommy Bell and Robinson to fight for the vacant title. Two black fighters in `1946 fighting for the Welterweight championship. Mike Jacobs had to put out feelers to some of the boxing writers to make sure that it was going to go over to have two black boxers square off for the title.

SRR did manage to fght Tommy Bell twice. Kid Gavilan twice. George "Sugar" Costner twice. Costner was highly regarded and dangerous at the time they first squared off. His record was very impressive.

If Robinson wanted to avoid the tough black fighters he wouldve ducked those guys.

With that said it may be true that he avoided Burley. I dont blame him he probably knew that giving away size and weight to guy that skilled was a mistake. I dont think Ray wouldve beaten Burley but Im not really sure.

It wouldve been stupid buisness for Ray Robinson to fight Burley then. SRR was making $$$ fighting the Welters and many Middles but even he had a limit.

 

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I've backtracked on the belief that Robinson should have fought the Murderer's Row fighters, the window of opportunity was small and Robinson was a blown up lightweight at the time, clearly a division smaller

And the mixed race Randy Turpin

On another note, why were the fewer top black MW contenders, post Murderer's Row?

Robinson-Galivan was big money I believe

 

Why is Holly Mims always disregarded as an SRR opponent??

 

He ducked burley. Unfortunately though, so did a lot of people so I don't think burley ever overtook robinson at any point in their careers.

More open to this criticism has to be armstrong. From about 1940 he let the likes of burley, williams and kid all fight each other whilst he was fighting the top lw contenders.

In january 40 kid beat williams and I think he was probably the best ww in the world for the next few month until zivic beat armstrong.

 

Im not sure. If it was good $ that probably why Robinson took the bout. It was also a Championship fight. That really meant something in those days.
On the other hand a fight with Burley wouldve been a non title fight. I dont know what kind of gate it wouldve pulled in. I know the risk for the Welterweight Robinson wouldve been very high. Fighting a guy as skilled as him as fast as him and that could take on LightHeavyweights.

 

Because he was a botanist!

 

Burley's management actually offered Robinson a career high payday at 1 stage. Robinson was a very tough negotiator though. Part of the problem with Burley though, was that he wasn't a draw in New York because he fought most of his fights in the west. This isn't the only reason fight didn't happen but was a problem management wise

 

I know Burley cam to New York a few years before that and KOd a tough Journeymen in the first round. I dont know why he didnt establish a following there. Perhaps a combination of being a black fighter with a slick style. I really dont know it was the early 1940s.

Just my opinion but I think Robinson was able to draw $ because he had an exciting style. He was fast but he also fought in a way that the fans had to see him again. He took chances. He had all the tools to stink the joint out and never get touched but he understood what the people wanted to see.

 

No might about it, Robinson was a businessman first, second and third; the only colour he was interested in was green. If the money was right I have little doubt he would of fought Louis, Marciano, Moore et al.

As greats as a Burley was, he struggled to make the money that would of interested Ray. So why risk a very dangerous fight, for no proper financial reward?