Sugar Ray Robinson is a name that resonates in the annals of boxing history, synonymous with unparalleled skill and charisma in the ring. However, this iconic moniker was not the legendary boxer’s birth name. So, why did Sugar Ray Robinson change his name?
Sugar Ray Robinson, originally named Walker Smith Jr., changed his name due to boxing regulations. At 15, he was underage to legally box in New York. His trainer provided him with the AAU card of a boxer named Ray Robinson, allowing him to fight. The name stuck with him and further embellished when he was later described as “sweet as sugar” in the ring.
Let’s journey back to the streets of Detroit, where our story begins with a young boy named Walker Smith, Jr. His early life, full of challenges and aspirations, would lay the groundwork for the legend we now know.
Early Life as Walker Smith, Jr.
Walker Smith, Jr., known to the world as Sugar Ray Robinson, was born on May 3, 1921. While Robinson’s birth certificate lists Ailey, Georgia, as his place of birth, in his autobiography, he stated he was born in Detroit, Michigan. The discrepancies surrounding his birthplace have been a topic of debate, but what remains unequivocal is the fact that he grew up in Detroit.
Life for young Walker in the Black Bottom section of Detroit was characterized by poverty. The Smith family navigated through the hardships of the Great Depression, with Walker Sr., a laborer, and Leila Smith, a seamstress, at the helm. However, when Walker was around five to eleven years old, depending on the sources, his parents’ marriage began to fracture.
In 1932, they divorced, and the absence of Walker Sr. became more pronounced. Frustrated and eager for a fresh start, Leila made the life-altering decision to move with her son and two daughters to Harlem, New York, in search of employment opportunities and a brighter future.
The glittering metropolis of New York, however, had its own set of challenges. Money was sparse, and to make ends meet, Robinson found himself dancing for change in Times Square, and doing odd jobs. The Smith family’s new neighborhood in Harlem was far from idyllic; it was dominated by flophouses, gangsters, and the constant threat of danger.
Leila, ever protective of her son, feared that the allure of the streets might entrap young Walker. In her quest to provide him with guidance and structure, she turned to the Salem Methodist Episcopal Church. It was here that Walker’s path would cross with that of George Gainford.
Gainford, who had recently initiated a boxing club at the church, would go on to play an instrumental role in Robinson’s life, both as a mentor and a manager.
Interestingly, Robinson’s tryst with boxing began even before his move to New York. Back in Detroit, he had dabbled in the sport at the Brewster gym. It was in Harlem, though, under Gainford’s watchful eye, that his passion for boxing truly ignited.
Gainford, recalling his first encounter with Robinson in his gym, noted in Harry Carpenter’s book, *Masters of Boxing*, “I told Smitty he was too young to fight… So I chased him away from the gym, back to delivering groceries and dancing for dimes. But he turned up again.” Under Gainford’s tutelage, Robinson would hone his skills and lay the foundation for what would become a legendary boxing career.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that while in Detroit, Robinson had lived in close proximity to the heavyweight champ, Joe Louis. This association, combined with his innate talent and the guidance of Gainford, set the stage for Walker Smith, Jr., to transcend his humble beginnings and emerge as the icon, Sugar Ray Robinson.
The Night Ray Robinson was Born
The origins of this iconic moniker trace back to an ordinary evening in Kingston, New York. At a tender age of 15, Walker Smith, Jr. found himself at a crossroads that would change his life forever.
On that pivotal night, George Gainford, Smith’s trainer and future manager, found himself one boxer short for an upcoming bout. He saw potential in Smith but was confronted with a challenge: New York state laws prohibited anyone below 16 from participating in boxing.
Necessity, often called the mother of invention, led Gainford to a solution. By chance, he had in his possession an Amateur Athletic Union card belonging to another boxer named Ray Robinson. Smith borrowed this identity for the evening, stepping into the ring not as Walker Smith, Jr., but as Ray Robinson.
The transformation of Walker Smith, Jr. into Sugar Ray Robinson took another leap forward in Watertown, New York. While watching Robinson’s agile footwork and deft punches, a local reporter remarked that the young pugilist was “as sweet as sugar.” Gainford, always having had a similar sentiment, promptly agreed.
For a brief period, he was known as Ray (Sugar) Robinson, but it wasn’t long before it was universally acknowledged that “Sugar Ray Robinson” had a far superior ring to it.
As Robinson himself quipped later, “Sugar Walker Smith wouldn’t have been the same.”
Adopting this new identity, Robinson didn’t just forge a name, but also carved an indomitable legacy. Under the moniker of Ray Robinson, he accomplished an astounding undefeated amateur record, boasting 85 fights with an impressive 69 knockouts. Among his many accolades was the prestigious National Golden Gloves championship in the featherweight category.
Yet, it was not merely his stats that solidified Robinson’s place in boxing history. The phrase “Pound for pound, the best” might have been coined for many, but its genesis was for Sugar Ray Robinson. Regardless of weight class, when Robinson was in the ring, excellence was guaranteed.
His illustrious career saw him clinch the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951 and ascend as the middleweight champion five times between 1951 and 1960. With a staggering record of 128-1-2, inclusive of 84 knockouts, Sugar Ray Robinson was truly unparalleled. His resilience was further highlighted by the fact that, in over 200 fights, he never succumbed to a 10-count, even though he did experience a TKO.
Muhammad Ali, a legend in his own right, revered Robinson, referring to him as “the king, the master, my idol.” Boxing historian Bert Sugar summed up the allure of Robinson, saying, “Robinson could deliver a knockout blow going backward.”