Sugar Ray

by Dave Anderson, Sugar Ray Robinson

Sugar Ray Robinson (1921–1989) was hailed as the finest boxer to ever enter a ring. Muhammad Ali once called him "the king, my master, my idol"—and indeed, he was the idol of everyone who had anything to do with boxing. But for African Americans, he was more than a great boxer. In an era when blacks were supposed to be humble and grateful for favors received, he was a man whose every move in and out of the ring showed what black pride and power meant.Sugar Ray grew up during the Depression in the ghettos of Detroit and New York, rose through the amateur boxing ranks, became Golden Gloves champion at the featherweight at the age of eighteen, and become world welterweight champion in 1946 and middleweight in 1951. Robinson had it all, but later lost it all; and in this classic autobiography he tells it all with remarkable candor. Here is Sugar Ray: the dazzlingly handsome champion with a craving for fast cars and fast living; the kid who was terrified of elevators; the young GI who, together with Joe Louis, combated racial discrimination; the honest fighter who refused a million dollars to throw a fight against Rocky Graziano; the boxer who dreamed he would kill his opponent in the ring, and did so the following night.This Da Capo edition is supplemented with a new foreword and afterword by Dave Anderson about Sugar Ray's last years in Los Angeles and the legacy he left behind, and with eight new pages of stunning photographs.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Autobiography

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago when I was into boxing. I even trained as one (heavy-bag, speed-bag, skip roping). Eventually I lost interest in the sport what with all the corruption. But this book was great! It's about the man considered the best boxer, pound-for-pound ever! Even the great Muhammad Ali considered him to be so. That says something!

Walker Smith, Jr. was a skinny kid hanging out near the boxing ring. When a promoter's actual fighter didn't show up for a fight, he grabbed the next person who looked like he wouldn't fall down without holding onto something.

"How old are you, kid?" the promoter asked.
"Sixteen," the kid replied, confused.
That was too young to fight legally in the ring. "Tonight you're going to fight as Ray Robinson," the promoter said. "He's of legal age to fight and he didn't show up."

Thus began the career of the man considered best of the best in the boxing ring. As the man's popularity grew, a spectator observing Robinson fight said to the woman sitting next to him, "That man sure fights sweet in the ring, doesn't he?
The woman smiled and said, "He's as sweet as sugar!"
And there you have it! Sugar Ray Robinson was on his way to be champ.

This book covers his early years where unfortunately we'll never see them on motion picture because back then it was illegal to film all fights. That meant we'll never see Robinson in his early prime years. He discusses some of his greatest fights against legendary boxers like Jake La Motta (they fought 6 times and La Motta was first to beat him after a 125-fight streak without suffering a loss). Other fights like Willie Pep, Rocky Graziano, Gene Fulmer and more will keep readers glued with how brilliant he was in the ring.

After investing his money and buying businesses like Laundry cleaners, restaurants, and bars, Robinson lived lavishly, but spent way too much. Sadly, he nearly went bankrupt from an associate's poor handling of his businesses, but stayed afloat by returning to the ring. After a short stint in the entertainment business as a dancer, he returned to the ring and travelled around Europe, even taking his famed pink Cadillac, which drew attention wherever he went.

He won a record middleweight title 5 times, but I'm not so certain that's worth bragging about seeing how current champs back then could have it in their contract to have immediate rematch should they lose. Such a thing can't happen today. I was disappointed how his personal life was. He strayed from his wife, even physical abuse against her, and his sons later considered him to be a bit of a horrible father because he spent more time entertaining other people than giving his own kids attention. Still, I got the feeling they forgave him in the end, which is good.

Robinson talks about the training he experienced, who he thought was his best opponent and his best fights. Anyone who loves sports will enjoy this biography of Sugar Ray Robinson. It was a book I kept in my collection for many years.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was 12 when I heard my name on TV. There was a boxing match going on between Ray "boom boom" Mancini and Duk-Koo-Kim. T watched this amazing boxing match that lasted 14 rounds and when Ray knocked out Duk with a straight right you would have thought I had won the championship. I was excited and hooked to the sport. I never have won a belt in boxing I have boxed and became a student of the game learning all about the greats of the sport. Walker Smith a.k.a. Sugar Ray Robinson has always been my favorite fighter ever. He is the best in my humble opinion. He won his first 40 fights with 29 ko's before his first lost to Jake Lamotta. He then went 88-0 having a record of 128-1. Holding both the welter and middle weight champion belts. He fought from 1940-1965 with a final record of 175-19 having won 5 belts in his reign. This is a candid autobiography of the best boxer ever. A must read for any fan of boxing or sports in particular.

[Bobby24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own a fair few boxing books and this is the best ,such a brilliant piece of writing and musing's ,have to say however after reading it three times I came away thinking he was not a particularly nice man ,his treatment of women was quite shocking ,brilliant boxer though .

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A champion among champions. One of the greatest of all time tells you his story - he is a fighter, not a writer. Don't expect pretty prose, expect a deep, moving look into the life of Sugar Ray Robinson.

[Jim Castine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best biography of a boxer I've read. (And that's quite the list) it helps that Ray wrote it himself. You can feel the joy in his words when he's talking about his proudest moments. I legitimately felt sad when he described his low points, despite them occurring decades before I was born. Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest boxer in history, so it is fitting that his autobiography is also the best I've read. A must for any boxing fan

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better boxing autobiographies from the man who was arguably history's greatest fighter. Robinson's interesting time in France could make for an interesting film/graphic novel.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story by one of the great boxers.

[Freddie Barr-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairly honest

[Jack Oughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know too much about Sugar Ray, before reading this but was quickly sucked into the narrative. He faced his own set of challenges - it feels like he pours his heart out here.

It's funny how the world can give you almost everything you could ever want, and human nature is still to try and destroy the life and blessings you have been showered with. He turned out alright in the end, bless him.

[John Marricco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great autobiography, yes autobiography, about a great fighter. Of course, another fighter who fought too long and suffered too much.

[John Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago, and remember enjoying it, so I thought I would read it again and see if I had the same reaction. I did; it's the story of Sugar Ray Robinson, often considered, pound for pound, the best boxer ever. It's his highly entertaining account not just of his boxing life, but of his life outside the ring. Both lives were full of ups and downs, mostly ups when he stepped into the ring. it's hard for me to imagine boxing as often as he did, when nowadays a boxer may fight only twice a year, if that. He does discuss the prejudice he encountered, and the difficulties he had with getting the fights he wanted. He doesn't shy away from talking about his attraction to women, and the heartbreak it caused in his marriages. He also admits his problems managing the money he made through the years. The love and support of his mother and his sister Marie sustained him through some difficult times. Overall, this is a well-written, absorbing story of a multi-faceted man.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

another beautiful boxing biography. there were so many interesting stories in this one. the move from black-bottom in Detroit to hells kitchen in nyc, how Robinson used to carry jow louis' gym equipment, how they both served in the army and got into a fight over a bottle of coke (a middle weight hitting a heavyweight!) robinsons tour of Europe, his fights with Jake la motta (whos seen raging bull?) his pink Cadillac, how Muhammad ali idolized Robinson and visited Robinson before he won gold in the Olympics and asked him to become his manager, his trouble with money and how he got his name (real name Walter smith) - amazing book, the originally greatest!

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read

[Skyler Barrett]

Sugar ray dreams
Author Sugar Ray

The book i have been reading is basically a motivational book. Its a book you should read if you have a lot of sad or tough times in life or if you want to do something big in your life. It has a lot of quotes that would be good to keep in your head when you feel like giving up on something. It helps me keep going through that day especially at the gym it help push through at football at school just about every where i found it online. I started reading it at home before i go to the gym or school or if i'm about to go to sleep i read it a little bit it a great book for me there really is not a ending to the book you read different parts of it you don't read it like a normal book it gives great relationship advice to i love it.
It has some things to say about boxing but it also says a lot of motivational things to help depressed people its just a book tat can put a smile on your face. I love the book.