Jim Robinson (boxer)

Jim Robinson (born 1925), known as "Sweet Jimmy", is a retired American boxer from Miami. Robinson fought Muhammad Ali (at that time still called Cassius Clay) in Miami Beach on February 7, 1961 as a last-minute replacement for Willie Gullatt. Robinson became Ali's fourth professional opponent. His whereabouts and status are currently unknown.

Background

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri,[1] Robinson was a middleweight boxer who fought up to heavyweight. He was managed by Clyde Killens, a local pool hall owner. He was often used as a last minute sub on Chris Dundee promotions in Miami-Dade County and was often used as a stepping-stone for upcoming South Florida prospects. He trained at the famed 5th Street Gym, but lived in the Overtown section of Miami known as Liberty City.

Bout with Clay/Ali

On February 7, 1961, Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali), was scheduled to fight Willie Gullatt in Miami Beach. According to Gullatt, promoter Chris Dundee, Angelo Dundee's brother, offered Clay $800 and offered Gullatt only $300 for the fight. Gullatt refused, and did not show up, instead opting to go out drinking. Dundee then enlisted Robinson to fight Clay. Robinson showed up at Miami Beach Convention Hall with his gear in an old army bag. Clay officially outweighed him by 16.5 pounds and won by knockout at 1:34 of the first round.

Robinson fought for seven more years while compiling a record of 8 wins and 25 losses. He was knocked out 16 times. He retired from boxing in 1963 and became a fixture in local pool halls and street corners in Liberty City. In 1968 he came out of retirement to fight Kent Green in Miami Beach. At that time Green was the only fighter to have a TKO win over Muhammad Ali (when Ali was an amateur). Green stopped Robinson in under a minute.

Whereabouts unknown

In 1979 Sports Illustrated writer/photographer Michael Brennan tracked down Robinson in Miami for what has been his last known interview to date.[2] Robinson claimed that he only weighed 158 lbs. for his fight with Ali (not 178 as was officially listed). He also stated that he was good friends with Ali and would drive him around in Ali's pink Cadillac. He last saw Ali in 1967. Since this interview, Robinson's whereabouts have been unknown. In 2009, ESPN sports writer Wright Thompson wrote an article about his six-year attempt to find Robinson in the Overtown district of Miami with no success. Ali collector Stephen Singer has spent a number of years searching for Robinson, collecting autographs of 49 of Ali's 50 opponents, with Robinson being the lone omission.[3]

Professional boxing record
8 Wins (3 knockouts, 5 decisions), 25 Losses (16 knockouts, 9 decisions)[4]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 8–27 Kent Green TKO 1 31/10/1968 Miami
Loss 8–26 Richie Smith PTS 6 07/05/1964 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 8–24 Ray Lavarro PTS 6 05/05/1964 North Dade Arena, Opa-locka, Florida
Loss 8–23 Willie Johnson KO 3 09/04/1964 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 8–22 Eddie Agin KO 3 14/10/1963 Key West, Florida
Loss 8–21 Vince Hepburn KO 2 21/03/1963 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 8–20 Jack Gilbert PTS 4 25/02/1963 North Miami Beach Auditorium, North Miami Beach, Florida
Loss 8–19 Andy Mayfield TKO 4 24/01/1963 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 8–18 Ray Lavarro UD 6 10/01/1963 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 8–17 Bobo Reckley KO 5 19/11/1962 Miami
Loss 8–16 Bobo Reckley KO 4 08/11/1962 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 8–15 Junior Grant SD 6 14/06/1962 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Win 8–14 Gene Wells PTS 6 28/04/1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Loss 7–14 Frank Patterson TKO 4 29/03/1962 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 7–13 Frank Patterson PTS 4 17/03/1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Loss 7–12 Roger Whitley KO 2 28/02/1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Loss 7–11 Herb Siler TKO 5 08/02/1962 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 7–10 Jim Tillman PTS 4 11/01/1962 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 7–9 Jim McNeil PTS 6 13/11/1961 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Win 7–8 Tommy Lee PTS 6 06/11/1961 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Win 6–8 Tom Cox KO 1 17/10/1961 Cutler Ridge, Miami
Win 5–8 Tiger Lee Flowers PTS 4 09/10/1961 Sir John Club, Miami
Win 4–8 Jim Tillman SD 6 25/09/1961 Sir John Club, Miami
Loss 3–7 Al Owens KO 5 18/09/1961 Sir John Club, Miami
Win 3–6 Ted Jones KO 3 11/09/1961 Sir John Club, Miami Jones knocked out at 1:50 of the third round.
Win 2–6 Willie Johnson UD 6 07/09/1961 Little River Auditorium, Miami
Loss 1–6 Joe Moss TKO 5 17/07/1961 Sir John Club, Miami
Loss 1–5 Yama Bahama KO 6 02/06/1961 Nassau, Bahamas
Loss 1–4 Claude Williams KO 1 14/04/1961 Winter Haven, Florida
Loss 1–3 Cassius Clay KO 1 07/02/1961 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida Jim knocked out at 1:34 of the first round.
Loss 1–2 Al Owens PTS 4 08/11/1960 North Miami, Florida
Loss 1–1 Allan Harmon KO 3 13/10/1960 Key West, Florida
Win 1–0 Willie Johnson TKO 3 13/06/1960 Palace Arena, Miami
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References
  1. "The Milwaukee Sentinel". 8 Feb 1961 – via google.ca.
  2. Michael Brennan (September 22, 1980). "Ali And His Educators". SI Vault. p. 3. Archived from the original on Jun 4, 2011.
  3. Nathan Cobb (Dec 20, 2003). "Where have you gone, Mr. Robinson?". www.boston.com.
  4. "BoxRec - Jimmy Robinson". boxrec.com.

Further reading
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