On This Day

Sugar Ray Robinson

boxer

Walker Smith Jr. (May 3, 1921 – April 12, 1989), better known as Sugar Ray Robinson, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1940 to 1965. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He is often regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, pound-for-pound, and is ranked as such by BoxRec as of April 2025.

Robinson was a dominant amateur, but his exact amateur record is not known. It is usually listed as 85–0 with 69 knockouts, 40 in the first round. However it has been reported he lost to Billy Graham and Patsy Pesca as a teenager under his given name, Walker Smith Jr. He turned professional in 1940 at the age of 19 and by 1951 had a professional record of 129–1–2 with 85 knockouts. From 1943 to 1951 Robinson went on a 91-fight unbeaten streak, the sixth-longest in professional boxing history. Robinson held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951, and won the world middleweight title in the latter year.

Notable For

American boxer

Sugar Ray Robinson's Historical Timeline

  1. Sugar Ray Robinson dies

    Sugar Ray Robinson boxer, known for american boxer, died on 1989-04-12. Walker Smith Jr.

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sugar Ray Robinson born?
Sugar Ray Robinson was born on 1921-04-12.
What is Sugar Ray Robinson known for?
American boxer
What historical events involved Sugar Ray Robinson?
Sugar Ray Robinson was involved in 1 recorded historical event, including Sugar Ray Robinson dies.
When did Sugar Ray Robinson die?
Sugar Ray Robinson died on 1989-01-01.

Related Years