Sugar Ray Robinson

He first married in 1938 to Marjorie Joseph but the marriage was annulled the same year. They had a son Ronnie Smith born in 1939

In 1940, he met Edna Mae Holly, a club dancer. The two went into the wedlock in 1943. They were blessed with a son in 1949. The marriage did not work and the two separated in 1960.

In 1965, he tied the nuptials with Millie Wiggins Bruce. She allegedly is reported to have controlled him by keeping him under the influence of medication and drugs.

Sugar Ray Robinson was born as Walker Smith Jr to Walker Smith Sr. and Leila Hurst at Ailey, Georgia. Among his siblings, he was the youngest and the only son of the couple.

His father worked as a cotton, peanut, and corn farmer and relocated to Detroit to take up work as a cement mixer and sewer worker in the construction business. His parents separated when he was young and eventually, he moved with his mother to New York City.

He attained his formal education from De Witt Clinton High School. Early in his life, he aspired to become a doctor but soon gave up on the idea after he dropped out of school in ninth standard. He then aimed to become a boxer.

After his attempt to enrol at a boxing tournament at the age of 15 was thrashed down due to age restriction of 18 years, he borrowed a birth certificate from his friend Ray Robinson.

Obtaining his AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) membership card, he started off by participating in his first fight in which he was complimented to be as sweet as sugar, which eventually led to his name, Sugar Ray Robinson.

He made his professional debut in October 1940 against Joe Evchevarria. The fight turned in his favour in the second round knockout as he outdid Echevarria to record his first victory as a professional boxer. The year proved successful for him as he recorded four victories in the five matches that he played.

His power packed performance in the boxing ring brought him immense limelight and fame as he recorded victories against world champion Sammy Angott, future champion Marty Servo and former champion Fritzie Zivic.

In 1942, his winning spree lasted for long as he recorded four back to back knockout triumphs. In October, he faced Jake LaMotta who went on to become his most challenging rival. He defeated LaMotta convincingly and went on to win four more fights. He finished the year with a 14-0 record, thus earning the ‘Fighter of the Year’ title.

His first ever defeat in his professional career came after 40 fights, against his top rivals, LaMotta. The loss did not prove to be detrimental to his career as he bounced back to form to record a victory against his childhood idol and former champion, Henry Armstrong.

In 1943, he was inducted in the US army. However, his military career did not last long as he was medically unfit and was relieved from his duties 15 months later. It was there that he befriended Louis for life.

In his career, he twice won the ‘Fighter of the Year’ title for his performances in 1942 and 1951.

From 1946 to 1951, he held the Welterweight Championship title. In 1951, 1955 and 1958, he held the Middleweight Championship title.

In 1967, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.