74 years ago
Sugar Ray Robinson vs Hans Stretz
Date: 25th December 1950
Venue: Haus der Technik, Frankfurt, GermanyTitle: 10 Round Non-Title Bout
Promoter: Freddie Sommers
Referee: Otto Nispel
Sugar Ray Robinson
(
120
-
1
-
2
)
Weight: 157 lbs
Hans Stretz
(
30
-
2
-
5
)
Weight: 159 lbs
On December 25, 1950, Sugar Ray Robinson stepped into the ring at the Haus der Technik in Frankfurt, Germany, for a 10-round non-title bout against local middleweight Hans Stretz. The event, promoted by Freddie Sommers and officiated by referee Otto Nispel, was one of several contests Robinson participated in during his European tour. It was a calculated stay-busy fight for Robinson, who was already widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, holding an imposing record of 120 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws. His opponent, Hans Stretz, carried respectable credentials into the ring with a record of 30 wins, 2 losses, and 5 draws, and the expectations from the local crowd were optimistic but measured.
The weight difference was minimal, with Robinson coming in at 157 pounds and Stretz slightly heavier at 159 pounds. From the opening bell, Robinson established control with his characteristic blend of speed, precision, and technical dominance. To his credit, Stretz showed resilience in the early rounds and attempted to apply pressure with a tight guard and a measured jab, but his efforts largely fell short. Robinson worked patiently, peppering Stretz with sharp jabs and well-timed combinations that consistently disrupted the German's attempts to find a rhythm.
By the third round, it became clear that Robinson was comfortably ahead. His footwork kept him out of range whenever Stretz attempted to counter, and his head movement made him an elusive target. Each time Stretz tried to mount any meaningful offensive momentum, Robinson met him with punishing counterpunches, which steadily drained the German fighter's energy and resolve.
In the fifth round, Robinson closed the show. A perfectly timed right cross followed by a crushing left hook sent Stretz staggering backwards. Robinson followed up with a flurry of punches that forced Otto Nispel to step in and wave off the contest, handing Robinson a fifth-round knockout victory. While disappointed with their fighter's defeat, the local crowd still applauded the sheer skill and authority with which Robinson dismantled Stretz.
Post-fight reports emphasized Robinson's control and efficiency in the ring. The bout served as another reminder of his extraordinary ring generalship, even in a non-title setting far from home. Despite the loss, Stretz earned some praise for his effort and willingness to stand in front of one of the sport's most formidable champions.
Though the match was never expected to be a stern test for Robinson, it functioned as a strategic entry in his busy calendar. It gave European audiences a rare chance to witness a master at work. The fight was documented by journalists and local photographers, but specifics about film footage or television broadcasts remain unclear. Nonetheless, the victory was yet another footnote in the long and illustrious career of Sugar Ray Robinson, a fighter whose reputation as one of the sport's most complete boxers was only reinforced by performances such as this one.