The legendary Sugar Ray Robinson once named the only fighter that he believes was better than him in a surprising admission.
In a decorated professional career that spanned a quarter of a decade, Robinson racked up just over 200 bouts including an outstanding 174 victories, with 109 of these coming via knockout.
Robinson reigned as the world welterweight champion for five years between 1946 and 1951, making a handful of successful defences of his crown against the likes of Jimmy Doyle, Bernard Docusen and Kid Gavilan.
He later made the move up to middleweight and would capture the world title on five occasions within a nine-year period, defeating the likes of Randolph Turpin, Jake LaMotta, Gene Fullmer and Rocky Graziano during his reigns.
Despite his incredible legacy, Robinson once revealed that there was one man in particular that was even greater than him in a claim which may come as a surprise to fans around the globe.
In an interview with Cornerman Boxing, Roberto Duran shared details of a conversation that took place between his own son and Robinson, where he claims the boxing icon said Duran was a better fighter than him.
“Yes, that was a fight I believe in Los Angeles, but he said that, Sugar Ray Robinson, to my son while I was in the ring fighting, and he said ‘Him right there, he’s better than me’, my son replied ‘Who are you?’ [he said] ‘I’m Sugar Ray Robinson’.
“‘Him, he’s better than me’ he told my son. For me it is satisfying that a great amongst the greats said it. That bigs me up because he’s considering me even greater than he was.”
Duran played a key role during one of the sports greatest era’s during the 1980s, a decade that was dominated by the Panamanian icon and former rivals Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler, who were better known as ‘The Four Kings’.
‘Hands of Stone’ captured world titles in five weight classes during his career, including a reign as the undisputed lightweight champion which he captured with a victory over Esteban de Jesus back in January 1978.
