Many boxing fanatics have hailed Ray Robinson, born Walker Smith Jr., as the greatest “pound for pound” fighter of all time. As an amateur, the young fighter had to hide the fact he was boxing from his mother and used the AAU card of one Ray Robinson, a fighter from his club who had retired, and Smith made a reputation under that name. Now forever known as Ray Robinson, he won New York Golden Gloves titles at featherweight and lightweight, and built an undefeated amateur record of 85-0 with 69 knockouts including 40 in the first round!

As a professional, Robinson compiled one of the greatest records in boxing history going on a run of 128-1-2 with 84 knockouts while winning the world’s welterweight and middleweight championships. Robinson won his first 40 pro fights before losing a decision to middleweight Jake Lamotta whom he beat 5 of 6 times. He then went on a 91 bout-winning streak. He had no peer for more than decade that included a span of 8 years unbeaten. Of the 76 welterweights he faced, he knocked out 50 (34 in 4 rounds or less) of the 24 middleweights he knocked out 11.

His competition is possibly the best in boxing history, fighting 18 world champions and defeating 10 Hall of Famers including; Sammy Angott, Fritzie Zivic, Henry Armstrong, Kid Gavilan, Jake LaMotta, Randy Turpin, Rocky Graziano, Bobo Olson, Carmen Basilio, and Gene Fullmer. Robinson was undefeated as welterweight champion from 1946-1951. He was a 5 time middleweight champion. He achieved a final official record of 175-19-6 2 NC with 109 kayo’s. 16 of his 19 losses came after his first comeback at age 34, 12 after the age of 40. In a professional career with over 200 fights he was never physically knocked out, failing only to last the distance one time when he collapsed from heat exhaustion while leading the fight against Joey Maxim in vying for the light-heavyweight title.

Robinson demonstrated that boxing wasn't only strength or power but like ballet emphasized skill, beauty, rhythm, co-ordination, timing, and balance. Like a great dancer he was always in position and moved with a progressive flow. His combinations were picture perfect. Perfect is one of the best words to describe Robinson in his prime. He was the closest thing to perfection boxing has ever seen.

He was recognized as a great fighter long before he won a world title cutting through a swath of impressive contenders and former champions. He was the Ring's fighter of the year in 1942. He won the vacant welterweight title by decisioning the outstanding Tommy Bell over 15 rounds. He made 5 successful defenses before moving up in weight.

Robinson was at his peak at welterweight. Some revisionists have tried to downplay the ability of tough fighters like Fullmer, and Basilio. One must realize however, that had Robinson stayed retired after 1952 he would still be regarded as one of the greatest fighters “pound for pound” in his prime. The fact that he was able to win the middleweight title for the 2nd - 5th time at an age when most fighters are through with their career proves what a magnificent fighter Robinson was. His competition was also superior to any middleweight.

The Aug. 1980 Ring Magazine christened Ray Robinson as the greatest fighter of all time. In the June 1988 Ring he was tabbed as the greatest middleweight of all time. The Winter 1994 Ring named him as the “best fighter of all time” in their “Best of the Best of the last 100 years." In 1997, The Ring magazine nominated him "pound for pound, the best boxer of all time." In 1999, the Associated Press named him both the greatest welterweight and middleweight boxer of the century. The 2002 Ring Annual (Vol.2) rated him the greatest fighter of the past 80 years. Cox’s Corner considers Ray Robinson to be the # 1 welterweight of all time.