Former world champion Sugar Ray Robinson has one of the most impressive careers in all of boxing.
With 199 fights, Robinson had an incredible record of 174-19-6, as his career spanned from 1940-1965. In his career, he was able to capture world titles at both welterweight and middleweight.
Known for his in-ring intellect and well-roundedness, his versatility helped him to amass over 170 wins across his incredible career.
Many people consider Robinson to be the best boxer ever, as the fighter is often mentioned in conversations with Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
However, as incredible as Robinson’s career was, he did face one fighter who was able to snap his long winning streak.
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Sugar Ray Robinson had his winning streak snapped in 1951
Beginning his career in 1940, Robinson was 19 years old when he stepped into the ring as a professional for the first time.
It wouldn’t be until three years later that Robinson would taste defeat for the first time, losing to Jake LaMotta in 1943.
However, despite the loss, Robinson was able to bounce back well from the defeat. Incredibly, ‘Sugar’ would go on a 90-fight unbeaten streak, with 89 wins and a no-contest.
The run would see him claim the NBA and NYSAC World Welterweight titles in 1946 before becoming a world middleweight champion five years later.
Five months after winning middleweight gold, he would come up against Randolph Turpin, who had a record of 40-2-1.
Although Turpin sported an impressive record, it was not as notable as Robinson’s 129-1-2 resume, with the Englishman going into the fight as a huge underdog.
However, despite everyone expecting Robinson to win, he would last defeat for just the second time in his career when the two met in Kensington.
In what was a hearty performance from the underdog, he was able to pull off what is still considered one of the biggest shocks in boxing. Winning on points, Turpin became the world middleweight champion, defeating Robinson.
In just over two months, Robinson and Turpin would clash again.
Meeting in New York for their sequel, Robinson would win via 10th round TKO, after scoring two knockdowns in the round.
Despite being even in their series at one apiece, Robinson and Turpin never had a trilogy bout.
Sugar Ray Robinson fought Jake LaMotta six times
Tasting defeat for the first time when losing out to LaMotta, Robinson responded by going on his incredible unbeaten streak. However, within this streak were multiple matches with LaMotta.
Robinson had met LaMotta prior to losing his undefeated record, as he won their first bout via unanimous decision in 1942. Then, LaMotta would get his revenge in 1943.
Meeting again for the third time just three weeks after their second meeting, Robinson would get his revenge. ‘Sugar’ would then add further wins over LaMotta in 1945, winning two bouts against his familiar foe.
However, Robinson’s most famous fight with LaMotta would come nine years after their first meeting. Meeting in February of 1951, the bout was known as the ‘Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of Boxing,’ as Robinson dethroned middleweight champion LaMotta in brutal style in their sixth bout.
The 13th-round TKO would mean Robinson was a middleweight world champion for the first time, after 124 fights.