ROBINSON, SUGAR RAY THEATRICAL TICKET (1953)

Sugar Ray Robinson (born Walker Smith Jr., May 3, 1921 – April 12, 1989) was a professional boxer. Frequently cited as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson's performances in the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Robinson was 85–0 as an amateur with 69 of those victories coming by way of knockout, 40 in the first round. He turned professional in 1940 at the age of 19 and by 1951 had a professional record of 128–1–2 with 84 knockouts. Robinson held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951, and won the world middleweight title in the latter year. He retired in 1952, only to come back two and a half years later and regain the middleweight title in 1955. He then became the first boxer in history to win a divisional world championship five times, a feat he accomplished by defeating Carmen Basilio in 1958 to regain the middleweight championship. Robinson was named "fighter of the year" twice: first for his performances in 1942, then nine years and over 90 fights later, for his efforts in 1951. He defeated other Hall of Fame fighters such as Jake LaMotta, Carmen Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Carl 'Bobo' Olson, Henry Armstrong, Rocky Graziano and Kid Gavilan. Robinson engaged in 200 pro bouts, and his professional career lasted nearly 26 years. After the Joey Maxim bout in 1952, Robinson gave up his title and retired with a record of 131-3-1-1. He began a career in show business, singing and tap dancing. In his autobiography, he stated that in the weeks leading up to his debut as a dancer in France, he trained harder than he ever had as a boxer. After about three years, the decline of his businesses and the lack of success in his performing career made him decide to return to boxing. He resumed training in 1954. Offered here is a very scarce full ticket for a theatrical appearance of Sugar Ray Robinson at Roseland in Taunton, Massachusetts on Wednesday, October 21, 1953.
This full ticket is printed on heavy stock and names Robinson and two other acts along with the date, ticket price, and venue. Clean front and back with one small spot stain at the D in Wednesday. Not creased or torn. 2 1/4" x 4."