Boxing legend ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson is considered by many to be the best boxer who has ever graced the sport.
With his name often being involved in conversations with Muhammad Ali as an all-time great, Robinson’s achievements can not be diminished.
Retiring with 199 fights to his name, Robinson notched up 174 wins throughout his career. This included becoming a world champion in two weight divisions.
In what was one of the standout years of his career, Robinson had an incredible 1951 to see him win The Ring Magazine’s ‘Fighter of the Year’ award.
Sugar Ray Robinson fought 11 times in 1951
As 1951 began, Robinson had a professional record of 121-1-2. His career at that stage would also see him pick up the NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring Magazine World Welterweight titles.
His sole loss in his career to that point came in 1943 when he was on the losing side of a decision to Jake LaMotta.
However, in his first bout in 1951, he would meet LaMotta again. Fighting on February 14th, Robinson and LaMotta’s sixth meeting would be known as the ‘Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of Boxing’.
A one-sided affair would see Robinson dethrone LaMotta, winning the bout and the world middleweight title via 13th-round TKO.
‘Sugar’ would keep his momentum going throughout the year following his win over LaMotta. Eight wins across three months would see Robinson win seven, with one no-contest.
Among the wins in this short period of time included stoppages over Cyrille Delannoit, Jean Walczak, and Jan de Bruin.
His no-contest bout came against Gerhard Hecht. Robinson was disqualified for a punch to the kidney as the two fought in Germany. However, the fight was overturned to a no-contest at a later date.
Sugar Ray Robinson had a brace of fights against Randolph Turpin in 1951
In July 1951, Robinson would look to defend his middleweight title. Coming up against Englishman Randolph Turpin, the pair would fight in London.
The middleweights would have an incredible showing in the title bout, however, Turpin would defeat Robinson.
Robinson would aim to amend his loss to Turpin just three months later. Fighting in New York for their sequel bout, ‘Sugar’ would get his revenge.
Despite suffering a significant cut at the hands of Turpin, Robinson would find a finish in the 10th round, reclaiming his middleweight title. The bout would be Robinson’s final outing of 1951, in an incredible year that will be remembered in history.