BoxRec

On November 6, 1946, Sugar Ray Robinson fought Artie Levine. In the 4th round of this fight, Artie hit Sugar Ray with a left hook, followed by a right cross, both to Robinson's chin. Sugar Ray was put down. Instead of directing Levine back to his corner, the referee walked him to his corner then returned about 10 seconds later to begin the count on Robinson. Sugar Ray was down for a 21 second long count. Robinson came back and knocked out Artie in the 10th round.

Sugar Ray claimed that Levine hit him with the hardest punch of his career when he knocked Robinson down & out for a 21 second long count.


Had Artie Levine beaten Sugar Ray. --------------

1. Do you think that Robinson's professional boxing career would have ended differently?

That Sugar Ray would not have been as dominant as what he was?



2. That Sugar Ray Robinson would not be in the ranking for one of the best (if not the best) in boxing's "Pound for Pound" category.




Please explain.

I am not good with the 'what if' predictions, I have too much bias; Dempsey wins every fight and Benvenuti knocks out Monzon (in my dreams) - but I thought you might like to read the NYTimes' take on the KD. They don't claim any controversy, (no mention of a 'long count') but do suggest that Robinson was hurt pretty bad. - I think the "uncrowned welterweight champion" line is interesting. It seems to be saying (between the lines) that someone was already ducking Robinson. Back then it was important for The Times and The Ring Magazine to call out champions who sat on the title. It didn't always work, but I guess it helped force some fights.

The article is incomplete

It wouldn't have made a big difference.. One more loss on Robinson's record would be nothing.. 20 more might be a problem.

If the referee weren't biased and and counted Robinson out -- instead of taking his sweet time to start the count after not picking up the count from the timekeeper -- Robinson probably would have won a rematch with the playing field tilted even more in his favor.. Robinson was a better fighter than Levine, but he got clocked with big punches because of his tendency to load his shots.. He got decked by Jake LaMotta, Artie Levine, Tommy Bell, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Castellani and a few others.. Levine hurt Robinson, but he had a good chin and tremendous recuperative powers -- which George Chuvalo called a 2-edged sword because maybe you don't focus on defense enough if you can take everything.

When Robinson wanted a rematch he got one.. He didn't want to rematch Ralph Jones or Joey Maxim so he didn't.. He was the best marketed fighter on the planet -- able to fight when, where, and who he wanted -- like Dempsey, Mayweather, Ali, Marciano, Leonard and a few others.

If that fight happened today it would have been stopped for certain -- as soon as Robinson fell on his face... More fighters got hurt back then.