Biography for
Sugar Ray Robinson More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

3 May 1921, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Date of Death

12 April 1989, Culver City, California, USA (Alzheimer's disease and diabetes)

Birth Name

Walker Smith Jr.

Nickname

The Prince of Harlem

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

Born Walker Smith, Jr., he borrowed the name of a fighter named Ray Robinson to box as an amateur so his mother wouldn't find out. Undefeated as an amateur boxer, 85-0, with 69 knockouts, 42 of them in the first round. Turned pro in 1940 and won his first 40 fights. Lost his first fight by decision to Jake LaMotta. Robinson would defeat LaMotta five out of six times. He joined the U.S. Army and boxed countless exhibitions alongside World Heavyweight Champ Joe Louis. Robinson won his next 93 straight fights. He was a six-time world champion, winning the Welterweight Title and then the Middleweight Title five times. His career lasted 25 years. He defeated many of the greatest boxing champions of his day, among them LaMotta, Kid Gavilan, Gene Fullmer, Carmen Basilio, Randolph Turpin and Carl "BoBo" Olsen. Only stopped once in over 200 fights. Scored over 100 knockout victories. Lost his last fight to Joey Archer in 1965. Friends with Frank Sinatra. Once owned an entire city block in Harlem. Spent millions on a jet-setting lifestyle.

IMDb Mini Biography By: angelsunchained

Spouse

Millie Bruce	(25 May 1965 - 12 April 1989) (his death)
Edna Mae Holly	(29 May 1944 - 1962) (divorced) 1 child
Marjorie Joseph	(1938 - 1938) (annulled) 1 child

Trade Mark

Always having a pink Cadillac

Trivia

Born at 9:00pm-EST

Boxer

World welterweight boxing champion, 1946-1951.

World middleweight boxing champion, 1951, 1951-1952, 1955, 1957, 1958-1960.

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1990.

Considered by many commentators to have been the best boxer in history.

Retired from the ring at age 45.

Easily spotted wherever he went, behind the wheel of his always current-year, always fuchsia-colored Cadillac convertible.

His wife, Edna graced the cover of the first issue of Jet Magazine (1 November 1951).

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1981.

His son with Marjorie, Ronnie, was born September 25, 1938. His son with Edna, Ray, Jr., was born in 1949.

Had an amateur boxing record of 85-0, with 69 knockouts, 42 in the first round.

Won his first 40 pro fights, lost, and than won his next 93 straight.

5 Time World Middleweight Boxing Champion & also held the World Welterweight Championship.

Only stopped once in over 200 fights.

Was world rated or world champion from 1940-1965.

Ended his career almost broke.

Frank Sinatra helped him into a movie career.

Known as a shrewd business man.

The first boxer to have an entourage.

Knocked out world middleweight champions Rocky Graziano, Carl "BoBo' Olsen, Gene Fullmer, Randy Turpin, and Jake LaMotta.

Was undefeated as an amateur winning 100 straight fights, 86 by knockout, and 42 in the first round.

At his prime, owned an entire block of businesses in Harlem.

Won 93 straight fights before losing to Randy Turpin in a stunning upset.

At the end of his career fought mostly in Europe with mixed success.

Defeated Jake LaMotta 5 out of 6 fights.

Did a night-club act in the mid-1950s where he jumped robe on stage and tap danced with beautiful show-girls in the background.

Was a 5-time World Middleweight Champion and the World Welterweight Champion.

Lost his last fight by 10 round decision to number 1 rated Joey archer in 1965.

Lavish spender who tipped 20 dollar bills (in the 1950s that was big tipping), wore custom-made suits, silk shirts and ties, diamonds, lived in the best hotels, traveled around the world with a 20 person entourage for which he paid all the bills.

Boxer Jake LaMotta called him "the three toughest fighters (he) ever went up against", adding "I fought Sugar so many times, I'm surprised I'm not diabetic!"

Pictured on a 39¢ USA commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor on 7 April 2006. First-day-of-issue ceremonies were held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, in conjunction with the Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament.

His son Ronnie was a roller derby skater.