I'll start out..In the early 1940's I watched a young 18 year old lightweight sensation from Youngstown,Ohio..A beatiful boxer and combination puncher,considered a coming champ..He was so highly thought of that after fighting a prelim in MSG,he was photographed with then Vice President Harry Truman who attended the main event..I was there that night...Janiro with his good looks was catnip to the ladies,and he trained more in the bedroom, than at Stillmans Gym...Too bad...
Ray Robinson's first fight was at Madison Square Garden and he already had New York City in his corner after perhaps the best amateur career in history. His first year, for those who have been following "The Gods of War" was unbelievable. He was already touted by many in the press as the best fighter in the world ...when he was 20 years old.
Stonehand..A sidenote I'd like to share...In 1940 I as a young boy attended with my father the Golden Gloves semi-finals at Ridgewood Grove,in NY..Before one of the bouts Ray Robinson then19 years old was helpinga Salem Crescent boxer...After the bout My father ,I and about six people lined up to shake his hand..This was before he even turned pro,shows what a sensation he was as an amature...In just one year as a pro he was already fighting Sammy Angott,a tough tough veteran...Fast forward to 1967 ,I met again a retired Sugar Ray at the Concord Hotel, NY. Full circle,and in between I saw Robinson in his prime ringside four times at MSG...He was something,Yessir...
That's beautiful -you book-ended his career in person. Here's an article that does the same: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7719/second-god-war-sugar-ray-robinson/
Stonehand Yes great article on Robinson by Springs Toledo...As I posted before,I watched young Ray Robinson Toy with a faded 31 year old Armstrong in 1943 MSG...Peole overlook one fact,about Robinson, and it was his height advantage over most all his opponents..His great height coupled with his sloping punchers shoulders,topped by Ray's great ego,made him the best fighter I ever saw...No contest
I just came on here because i thought we were going to talk about fighters that have impressed usas active fighters. Then i see Burt has actually seen Sugar Ray Robinson live so i'm too embarrassed to mention anyone else! Nice stories Burt by the way.