Let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, fellow boxing enthusiasts, to an era when champions clashed more frequently and the sport was filled with electrifying matchups. Back then, the greatest fighters didn’t pace themselves with the occasional bout—they eagerly faced off whenever the opportunity arose, determined to cement their legacies. Unfortunately for us, we missed out on witnessing these legendary battles firsthand.
In 1955, at the age of 34, Sugar Ray Robinson made history by becoming the first boxer to reclaim the middleweight championship after initially retiring. He achieved this impressive feat by knocking out Bobo Olson in just two rounds. Robinson’s journey didn’t stop there; he went on to win back the title twice more in fierce battles against his middleweight contemporaries, Gene Fullmer and Carmen Basilio.
Robinson and Fullmer developed a fiery rivalry, fuelled by their mutual dislike. This animosity translated into some of the most brutal encounters in the ring. Their first meeting, in January 1957, saw Fullmer, known as “The Utah Cyclone,” score a unanimous decision victory after knocking Robinson down in the seventh round and dominating the fight. However, just four months later, Robinson made a stunning comeback, knocking Fullmer out with a perfectly timed left hook in the fifth round—a knockout that would mark the only such loss of Fullmer’s career.
After his battles with Fullmer, Robinson traded wins with Basilio in two grueling encounters before taking a break from the sport. Such breaks were a luxury earned by these legends who had repeatedly thrilled audiences with unforgettable performances over careers spanning thousands of rounds and hundreds of bouts. Meanwhile, Fullmer and Basilio fought for the vacant title emptied by Robinson’s hiatus. Fullmer emerged victorious against Basilio twice, leading to yet another showdown with Robinson.
The stage was set for Robinson vs. Fullmer III in Los Angeles—a match that turned out to be the most competitive of their encounters. It was a grueling fifteen-round contest, full of blood and fierce exchanges, but devoid of knockdowns. Initially, Robinson seemed to have the upper hand, but he tired in the final rounds, allowing Fullmer to rally and retain his title through a disputed draw, aided by the smaller eighteen-foot ring that favored his aggressive brawling style.
Three months later, they squared off again, this time in Las Vegas. Conscious of his previous disadvantage, Robinson demanded a twenty-foot ring, six-ounce gloves, and the honor of entering the ring last, threatening to cancel the fight if his conditions weren’t met. Fullmer, unimpressed by Robinson’s demands, had his own thoughts: “If Robinson sins, it’s with selfishness,” he critiqued, “always thinking only of himself.”
In an amusing twist, the day before the fight, Robinson stormed into the office of Fullmer’s manager, Marv Jenson, convinced the ring was not as promised. With a sigh, Jenson handed him a tape measure, dismissing the complaint. Upon verifying, Robinson returned with a baffled expression, finally preparing for the match.
The final fight in their series, while full of action, lacked the explosive climax of earlier bouts. Fullmer, undeterred by being staggered early on, dominated the latter rounds, securing a clear unanimous victory in what turned out to be an eighteen-foot ring—exactly as before.
Years later, after Jenson’s passing, his family discovered a small piece of tape hidden away—a piece just two feet long. A clever play by the manager after all. — Michael Carbert
