Why Was Robinson Great?

I'd definitely say Robinson was much more an offensive fighter than a defensive one, or at least better when he went into offensive mode in comparison to his boxing mode. Don't get me wrong, he was a good out-boxer as well, but I've always thought he was a lot better when he was letting his hands go. He's one of the best combination punchers I've ever seen, and one of the best in a shoot-out. In that sense, I think he's one of a kind, but as an out-boxer I don't think he was really among the best ever, despite what many will tell you. He had an excellent jab and very good footwork, though. He was just a bit too lacking defensively to be be as highly regarded a pure boxer as he is. His defensive skills were sufficient, and when focused on, could in fact be very good, but most of the time his offense was his defense.

Even against LaMotta, I thought Ray was in command more when he let his hands go as opposed to when he was moving and jabbing off the backfoot. This was against a badly weight-drained LaMotta, and the number of clean shots Robinson was taking doesn't bode well for his argument as a top defensive fighter. It was only when he unleashed the beast that he was able to halt and even back up the Raging Bull.

It's true what you say about his countering ability, but mostly due to his handspeed and instinctive reflexes, rather than innate defensive awareness. That falls more into his offensive skills than his defensive ones.

 

good post Pea i agree with that

i was speaking to JG about Ray Robinson and he provided a great quote

hes a consumate professional in all areas.

Abit what like Chinx is saying

 

Why do people always seem to say Robinson was moving backwards when he knocked out fullmer? His feet were clearly set (for the) KO.

 

Here's Robinson knocking Bobby Dykes silly while moving backwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVCI332QjQI
6:45

 

I'm not knocking SRR, he was the most versatile fighter of all time. I just dont like people re-writing history.

I thought I had most of Ray's fights (ca. 20-25), but this Dykes footage is news to me, good stuff.

Out of curiosity mate, anymore Rare Robinson footage to be uploaded to Youtube?

 

I agree it's a bit of a myth (Robinson-Fullmer II that is) but I thought I'd post that video since it fit the topic.

Robinson vs Docusen, Fusari, Stretz, Villemain, Stock, Van Dam & Walzack are uploaded.

I'm hoping that Robinson vs Angott/Abrams/Becket/Riccio/Flores/Barnes will be there soon for all to see.

 

Maybe the most amazing thing about Robinson is that after 201 fights...his speech was still perfect.

 

One of the most poetically beautiful ko's ever...it's the way Robinson moves right after that flash kd Rocky scored...the way he maneouvers Rocky and moves into position to end it the way he did.

 

He really didn't have any marks on his face either, kind of like Ali.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TavqZN-GWus

 

Great thread Chinx. Very nice post by Stonehands as well.

 

looking forward to it :good

 

Its surely a mixture of all of them.

You notice about all the great boxers when they first start they always work hard are first in thegym last out, so could we say that that is what talent is?

All of us are capable but only a few are willing.