What made Sugar Ray Robinson better than Ali?

Question

I have never seen him fight a full fight, but I've seen videos on youtube about him. It looked like he was strong because his punches made contact at the peak of momentum. Ali said that SRR was the best p4p fighter in the world and I don't think Ali was being modest. If I think Ali is god of boxing, would I be more impressed with SRR?

Answer 1

Maurice and Mac gave excellent compehensive answers.  There really is little to add.

Answer 2

robinson fought more often, going to 40-0, before losing his first fight (against a fully fledged middleweight when he was still only a 147 pounder) , then to 128-1-2 before losing his second bout (at light heavyweight).

he won titles in two divisions (almost 3 when he succumbed to the searing june heat in new york).....he didn't bother with junior divisions, and there were no 168 pound title either.

he punched harder than ali (proportionate wise).

he could also knock a man out going backwards.

Answer 3

Sugar Ray Robinson was literally the reason that the p4p list was made.

I agree with you on how great Ali is in boxing.  I have Ali's career set and watching him fight other heavyweights is a thing of beauty.

Sugar Ray Robinson was Ali's idol, and it was Robinson style of fighting that Ali tried to immitate to a degree.  I've watched SRR, and he is truly a complete fighter.  But just remember, not all of his great fights were recorded, because of the lack of equipment back in the day.  Some of his amazing boxing skill was only left to be seen by the viewers of the fight.

It was said that he moved up from welterweight to middleweight because he could not get a title shot.  Not because he wasn't good enough, nor because of his ethnicity, but because nobody was brave enough to fight him.

I can't say that you would be more impressed with watching SRR box, due to the lack of film available, and the poor quality of film available on his fights.  But I can say that because of his outstanding record, and the stories written and told about him, I am definitely impressed.