73 years ago

Date: 12th September 1951

Venue: Polo Grounds, New York

Title: World Middleweight Title

Randolph Turpin
( 41 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 159 lbs

Sugar Ray Robinson
( 129 - 2 - 2 )
Weight: 157½ lbs

The Polo Grounds in New York City was bustling on Wednesday 12th September 1951, as a staggering crowd of 61,370 boxing fans gathered to witness a highly-anticipated rematch between the reigning World Middleweight Champion, Randolph Turpin, and the challenging former champion, Ray Robinson. The stakes were high, with Robinson desperate to regain his title and Turpin determined to defend it successfully. The atmosphere was electric as referee Eugene Henderson prepared the fighters for the bout. Robinson, with a record of 129-2-2, was the bookmakers' favorite despite Turpin's impressive record of 41-2-1.

Robinson, the Harlem, New York resident, started strongly, albeit slightly lighter at 157½ lbs against the 159 lbs Turpin hailing from Leamington Spa, England. The betting odds, favoring Robinson at 12-5, gave a slight edge to the challenger. However, it was clear from the outset that Turpin wasn't going to be an easy opponent to overcome. The Englishman's defensive tactics seemed to work well against Robinson's aggressive style, and he managed to clinch both rounds eight and nine on all three scorecards, opening a bad gash over Robinson's left eye in the tenth.

With the gash over his left eye potentially jeopardizing the outcome, Robinson was put on the back foot. Fearing the referee might call a halt to the fight due to his injury, he decided to go all in, as per his own words, "it was do or die." Robinson threw a decisive right-hand blow that saw Turpin hit the canvas in the tenth round. Turpin managed to get up at the count of nine but was quickly forced back against the ropes by a flurry of punches from Robinson.

Despite Turpin's claims of being "perfectly keen" and believing that there were only "eight seconds to go in the round," referee Eugene Henderson stopped the fight after the vigorous attack from Robinson. Turpin, although disappointed, had to accept the TKO defeat at 2:52 in the tenth round. The stoppage was met with controversy, but ultimately, it was Robinson who emerged victorious, regaining his World Middleweight Title.

The financial rewards from the match were significant for both fighters. With a gate of $767,630, movie rights for $200,000, and theater television rights for $25,000, Robinson secured a 30% share amounting to approximately $230,000, while Turpin claimed a 25% share totalling approximately $210,000.