So typically match-ups that seem apparent, can’t-miss sights simply fail to materialize, and such was the case with a no brainer bust-up between ring stars Sugar Ray Robinson and Rocky Graziano within the late 1940’s. Certain, Ray was a welterweight for many of his profession, whereas Rocky plied his commerce at 160 kilos, however nonetheless, each hailed from New York Metropolis and each have been massive drew massive crowds, and but a Robinson vs Graziano showdown didn’t come collectively till one of the best years of each have been within the document books. In 1951 Sugar Ray moved as much as middleweight and stopped Jake LaMotta within the well-known “St. Valentine’s Day Bloodbath” to win a second world title. That was the identical title Graziano had held for a 12 months within the midst of an extremely violent trilogy with Tony Zale, a sequence of vicious brawls which concluded in 1948 when “The Man Of Metal” knocked Rocky kicking for a second time.
However Graziano, aka Thomas Rocco Barbella, had regrouped since that defeat and put collectively a powerful run, together with massive wins over Charley Fusari and Tony Janiro. In the meantime, Robinson, aka Walker Smith Jr., whose Corridor of Fame credentials have been already nicely established, had suffered an enormous upset defeat to Randy Turpin in July of 1951, earlier than he regained the title from the Briton in extremely memorable style on the Polo Grounds two months later. Ray then journeyed to San Francisco to publish a 15 spherical win over Carl “Bobo” Olson in March and by that point the Graziano duel had already been booked for Chicago as Robinson needed to remain busy and reap the benefits of his nonetheless spry 31-year-old legs.
However whereas Robinson vs Graziano was a sizzling ticket and drew an enormous crowd to Chicago Stadium, few gave “The Rock” greater than a puncher’s probability. In spite of everything, it was no secret that Rocky may solely field a technique: weapons blazing behind his cannon of a proper hand. Sugar Ray was the extra expert and versatile pugilist with expertise to spare when it comes to footwork, mobility and ring smarts. The intrigue of the match-up, past the large names and the likelihood {that a} resurgent Graziano’s energy would possibly hassle Ray, had every little thing to do with how Robinson selected to method it tactically. Would he field with persistence and poise and restrict Graziano’s possibilities, or would he please each the gang and Rocky and go for a shoot-out?
To the shock of many, he clearly selected the latter; as an alternative of boxing on the again foot and staying out of vary of the challenger’s harmful proper, Robinson got here ahead from the outset, throwing bombs. The end result was a rough-and-tumble battle in spherical one, with loads of clinches and mauling, Graziano throwing rabbit punches with abandon as the 2 wrestled for place. The champion’s hand-speed and accuracy carried the opener as Rocky absorbed quite a few laborious pictures to each physique and head, Sugar Ray even pinning Graziano on the ropes at one level and battering him with each fists.
However within the second, Ray, heeding his nook’s recommendation, regarded to gradual the torrid tempo and took his foot off the fuel pedal, which in flip allowed Rocky to achieve the momentum he wanted as he stalked Ray and unloaded a few of his trademark energy pictures. The champion countered with a sustained barrage that briefly knocked Rocky again on his heels, however it was nonetheless Graziano chasing Robinson and calling the tune within the second, the gutsy challenger waving to Ray at spherical’s finish as if to say “I nearly obtained you!”
To the delight of the sell-out crowd, the slugfest continued in spherical three with each males firing the heavy artillery and letting sheer firepower dictate the phrases. After which it occurred: the nice Sugar Ray let fly a two-fisted barrage, hurting Rocky and forcing him to retreat, however within the course of Robinson left himself each vast open and off-balance. A determined, Hail Mary proper hand from Graziano didn’t land cleanly, however nonetheless carried sufficient weight to briefly knock the champion to at least one knee. Ray was up and not using a rely and the referee merely acknowledged the knockdown and allowed the torrid battle to proceed with out interruption.
Graziano gave chase, looking for to capitalize as Ray back-pedaled and circled. Then, abruptly, Robinson reversed the momentum, backed the challenger to the ropes, and obtained residence two fast left hooks after which a crushing proper, the shot touchdown flush and separating Graziano from each his mouthpiece, which went flying, and his senses. For a cut up second Rocky remained on his ft, his physique limp, his head drooping down, earlier than he crumpled to the canvas. Mendacity on his aspect, he gyrated his proper leg in a useless try to resuscitate himself, however by the point consciousness returned and he was once more vertical, the referee’s rely was lengthy completed.
“I assumed I had time to rise up however my legs have been gone,” lamented Rocky in his dressing room. “One second I’m successful, the subsequent I’m listening to the rely. Boy, the man can belt! An incredible fighter.”
For his half, Robinson was equally charitable, noting that the punch which briefly floored him had landed behind the ear. “Good factor it didn’t get me on the chin,” he mentioned. “I’ve met many robust fighters … however nobody ever stung me greater than Rocky.”
For Graziano, this was the start of the top. 5 months later he dropped a call to rising star Chuck Davey, and whereas little doubt Rocky may have continued and banked a number of extra paydays, he properly hung up his gloves for good and launched into a profession in present enterprise. Ray nearly adopted an equivalent path as he misplaced to Joey Maxim in his subsequent outing and likewise retired, however lower than three years later he launched into one other superb run that included memorable battles in opposition to “Bobo” Olson, Carmen Basilio, Gene Fullmer and Joey Giardello. — Michael Carbert
