68 years ago

Date: 2nd January 1957

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York

Title: National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title

Referee: Ruby Goldstein

Sugar Ray Robinson
( 140 - 4 - 2 )
Weight: 160 lbs

Gene Fullmer
( 37 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 157¼ lbs

Madison Square Garden was filled to capacity on January 2, 1957, as Sugar Ray Robinson, the Harlem native and reigning World Middleweight Champion with a 140-4-2 record, squared off against Gene Fullmer from West Jordan, Utah. This match was Fullmer's first shot at a world title. With a 37-3-0 record, he brought an energetic fighting style, earning him the nickname "Cyclone". Robinson, the seasoned champion, was the odds-on favorite entering the fight, with the odds pegged at 6-5 in his favor.

The fight, which drew a crowd of 18,934, turned out to be a tough and gruelling encounter. The boxers were well matched in weight, with Robinson at 160 lbs and Fullmer at 157¼ lbs. From the outset, it was clear that this was not going to be a walkover for the more experienced Robinson. Fullmer, with his high-held guard and square-on style, could, unlike many of Robinson's former opponents, quickly close the gap between them and land flurries of punches from all angles.  The 26-year-old challenger did however continuously land rabbit punches in the clinches, an infringement that the referee, Ruby Goldstein, overlooked.

In the seventh round, Fullmer made his breakthrough. He put Robinson down for a six-count, knocking the champion momentarily through the ropes with a left hook, drawing gasps from the crowd. Robinson also picked up a cut over his left eye. Robinson, in his 146th professional bout, found himself up against a tenacious Fullmer in his 40th fight, a boxer who was not awed by the illustrious champion.

Fullmer's boxing style might not have been pleasing to the eye, but it was undeniably effective. He seemed unfazed by the media attention surrounding the fight. Robinson, on the other hand, not only had his share of the net gate but also received $60,000 from television and radio, bringing his total purse to $139,050. Fullmer, receiving only 12½ percent of the net gate which amounted to $20,802, didn't share in the media earnings.

When the final bell rang, Fullmer had not only remained standing but had also outboxed Robinson, the long-reigning middleweight champion. The judges scored the match in favor of Fullmer, with unanimous decisions from Ruby Goldstein 8-5, Harold Barnes 9-6, and Frank Forbes 10-5. It was a stunning upset that left the boxing world in shock, propelling Fullmer into the spotlight.