63 years ago

Date: 4th March 1961

Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: World Middleweight Title

Gene Fullmer
( 52 - 4 - 2 )
Weight: 159¾ lbs

Sugar Ray Robinson
( 144 - 8 - 3 )
Weight: 159¾ lbs

The fourth and final fight between Gene Fullmer and Sugar Ray Robinson occurred on March 4, 1961, at the Convention Center in Las Vegas. The fight was for the National Boxing Association Middleweight Championship and was Fullmer’s fifth defense of the title. Fullmer was an 8-5 favorite going into the fight.

The promoters planned to have a ring about 16 feet, 7 inches inside the ropes, but Robinson threatened to pull out of the fight unless they got a larger ring. Also, after the commission decided that the fighters would wear eight-ounce gloves, Robinson threatened to withdraw if the gloves weren’t changed. As a result of his threats, an 18-foot ring was brought in from Los Angeles by truck, and six-ounce gloves were flown in from the West Coast.

A crowd of 7,400 produced a gate of $140,000. There was an additional $150,000 from television. Fullmer got 40% of the net gate and $60,000 of the television money. Robinson got 20% and $50,000.

The 4th fight between Fullmer and Robinson was a closely contested battle that saw both fighters give their all. Fullmer hurt Robinson late in the third round and battered him along the ropes. The beating continued for 15 seconds after the bell because no one heard it.

Robinson opened a cut over Fullmer’s left eye in the third round, and Fullmer cut Robinson over his left eye in the tenth. The fight was a bloody affair that saw both fighters take punishment.

The ring announcer caused some confusion as he misread the final decision and announced that Robinson had won. The mistake was quickly corrected.

After the fight, Fullmer said, “I’m glad I was fighting this guy when he was over his prime.” The fourth fight between Gene Fullmer and Sugar Ray Robinson was a classic encounter that showcased two great fighters at their best. It was a closely contested battle that saw both fighters give their all in the ring.