74 years ago
Sugar Ray Robinson vs Charley Fusari
Date: 9th August 1950
Venue: Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey
Title: World Welterweight Title
Promoter: Humbert Fugazy & Andy Niederreiter
Sugar Ray Robinson
(
110
-
1
-
2
)
Weight: 147 lbs
Charley Fusari
(
63
-
7
-
1
)
Weight: 145¼ lbs
On Wednesday, August 9, 1950, boxing enthusiasts gathered at the Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey, to witness the bout for the World Welterweight Title, with the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson defending his title for the fifth time against the highly-skilled Charley Fusari. At this time, Robinson held an astounding record of 110-1-2, while Fusari boasted a respectable 63-7-1. The highly-experienced referee Paul Cavalier was chosen to officiate the match.
At the official weigh-in, there was a slight hiccup for Robinson who initially weighed in at 147¼ lbs, slightly over the welterweight limit. However, after a few trips to a steam box, he managed to shed the extra quarter-pound and make the 147 lbs limit. Fusari, on the other hand, had no trouble making weight, tipping the scales at 145¼ lbs.
The fight itself was a display of Robinson's impeccable skill and finesse. Fusari, a native of Alcamo, Sicilia, Italy, who resided in Irvington, New Jersey, fought bravely, but Robinson’s ringcraft proved to be superior. The Harlem-based Robinson, whose real name was Walker Smith Jr., showed why he was considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the history of the sport.
Interestingly, in his autobiography, Robinson claimed that he had agreed to carry Fusari for the 15-round distance. This means that he didn't go all out to knock Fusari out, but instead allowed the fight to go the full 15 rounds. The reasons for this decision might have been varied, but it certainly added a layer of intrigue to the match.
One remarkable aspect of this match was Robinson’s nobility. He was paid only one dollar for the fight, with the rest of his purse going to the Damon Runyon Memorial Fund for Cancer Research. This magnanimous gesture illustrated Robinson's character outside the ring and his desire to contribute to a greater cause.
Sugar Ray Robinson vs Charley Fusari on YouTube
