SUGAR RAY Vs GENE FULMER - THE 4 MATCH BOXING FEATURE

SUGAR RAY Vs GENE FULMER - THE 4 MATCH BOXING FEATURE

Like almost everything in the world in the 1960s, professional boxing was subject to many changes. Boxers are gaining more and more popularity, but their financial income is far from the current millions. The world is shocked by young Cassius Clay. He changed his name to Muhammad Ali and declared himself against the wars of the world. This is just one of the amazing stories of the mid-20th century. Another such is the phenomenal rivalry between Sugar Ray Robinson and Gene Fulmer. Between 1957 and 1961, the two entered the ring 4 times, and each of the fights was special in its own way.

Before 57, the two Americans differed significantly in their experience in the professional ring. Sugar Ray has now amassed an astounding 147 matches. At 35 years old, he has only 2 losses and 140 wins. Fulmer is 10 years younger, but has nearly 3 times as many games. Jean enters the fight for a total of 3 world belts against Robinson with an asset of 37 wins and 3 losses. But he wins the first battle. In New York's Madison Square Garden, the two heroes fought a full 15 rounds at middleweight. Fulmer won the fight by decision.

That same year, Gene made 2 quick defenses of his world titles against Wilf Graves and Ernie Durando. At this time, Sugar Ray is resting and already thinking about a rematch. He got it on May 1st – again 1957. And he won it. In the 5th of a total of 15 rounds, Robinson took his opponent to the ground in front of the crowd in Chicago and quickly regained the world titles.

After exchanging one victory each within 4 months, the rivalry between the two died down. In the following years, they fought against stars such as Carmen Basilio, Paul Pender, Bob Young and others. The fights follow one another, and 4-5 vs in a year is an achievable goal for a middleweight boxer. That's how it got to 1960. A year earlier, Gene Fulmer had taken the NBA world title from Carmer Basilio and made 3 successful defenses to get to another fight with Sugar Ray. Match number 3 of the rivalry.

Third meeting, third host city. The two enter the ring in Las Vegas, but neither takes an advantage in the overall balance. The 15 rounds do not bring a winner with them. As always in such a case, the champion keeps his belt. But match number 4 is inevitable. Three months later, but already in 1961.

The final outcome of it is another 15 rounds and a total of 50 in the incredible rivalry of Fulmer and Robinson. Jean is the winner. He retains his title and leaves history with a positive overall balance in the 4 matches with the legend Sugar Ray. In the next less than 5 years, both left the professional ring. The elder Sugar did so after 174 wins in 201 games, and Gene retired after 55 successes in 64 attempts.

.