Robinson: Modern Times

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Robinson - Whitaker

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Preview & Analysis




WHITAKER-ROBINSON

Who Will Be The Pound-for-Pound #1 In '97 Superfight?

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On February 8th at approximately 10 p.m. the sports long-time pound-for-pound champion Pernell Whitaker meets a newer more violent heir to the throne in Sugar Ray Robinson.

It's a fight that has the experts split, some favouring experience, others youth. Whitaker-Robinson figures to be a boxing connoisseurs kind of fight, with a good chance of a knockout to round off the evening.

Despite both men's careers it is not too outrageous to claim that neither has fought an opponent better than the one they face February 8th at the MGM Grand.

It does not seem too outrageous to also claim that neither has been involved in a bout as prestigious as the one they are about to contest.

Should Whitaker win, he will establish his greatness at an advanced age whilst de-railing what seems to be a legend-in-the-making and claim yet another legacy enhancing victory.

Should Robinson win, he will sit unchallenged as the best in the sport and add yet another future hall-of-famer onto his list of conquests.

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Record and World Rating

Robinson

59-0 with 58 kayos... 5-0 with 5 kayos as a welterweight... Won WBA welterweight title in April 1996 stopping Ike Quartey...
Made two defenses since against Oba Carr and Andrei Pestriaev... Is currently on a fifty-five kayo streak...
Rated first pound-for-pound and at welterweight.


Whitaker

39-1-1 with 16 kayos... 7-0-1 with no kayos at welterweight... Won WBC welterweight title in March 1993 decisioning James McGirt...
Made seven defenses against Julio Cesar Chavez, Santos Cardona, James McGirt, Julio Cesar Vasquez, Gary Jacobs, Jake Rodriguez and Wilfredo Rivera.
Rated second pound-for-pound and second at welterweight.

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The Southpaw Question




Pernell Whitaker is among many things a southpaw and George Gainford thinks it's of no advantage.

"Robinson has faced plenty of southpaws. As an amateur and as a pro, Whitaker's not going to surprise Robinson just by throwing the jab with his right hand."

As the big fight looms, here is a list of all the southpaws Robinson has stepped into the ring with in his 59 professional contests.

Ruben Nevarez, September 1992, KO 3
Sharmba Mitchell, April 1994, TKO 2
Orzubek Nazarov, June 1994, TKO 9
Mike Dallas, July 1994, TKO 3
Keith Jones, September 1994, TKO 2
Bobby Giepert, January 1995, KO 3
Jean-Baptiste Mendy, July 1995, TKO 7

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Robinson - Whitaker




As we near fight week, unconfirmed reports of the fighters purses have been circulating.

Pernell Whitaker is guaranteed $6 million and Sugar Ray Robinson it is believed is guaranteed $12 million.

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Robinson - Whitaker




The odds have been set and Robinson has been installed as a clear favourite as far as the bookmakers are concerned.

Opening at 8-1, it seems those in the industry believe Whitaker is well past his prime and Robinson is hitting his.

[CONN CHRIS]

Good build up and fun to follow Bob.

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Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Good build up and fun to follow Bob.

Thanks trying to give fight bit more space than the rest.

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Robinson - Whitaker




PUNDITS PICKS

3 prominent trainers were asked their views on the Robinson-Whitaker superfight... and their verdict is a split decision.

"“Whitaker is a tough nut to crack. You may not like to look at him, but he’s a throwback, a great, great fighter. He finds a way to win.
But Robinson is by far the best young talent I’ve seen in a very long time. He’s a well-schooled heavy handed fighter. It won’t be easy, but Robinson by decision.”
- Don Turner.

“I’ve been blown away with Robinson career. Whitaker’s had a brilliant career with a very effective style, but he’s on the downside.
Robinson has youth, speed, all-round boxing ability. Whitaker’s cuteness will allow him to last the distance. Robinson by decision.”
-Eddie Futch.

“What’s good about this fight is that it's a cross road for both guys. That makes this very interesting. I keep thinking Robinson with his speed and power should be too much for Whitaker.
But something inside me says Whitaker. He has the mental toughness, and we don’t know yet if Robinson has it. I’m leaning by a hair to Whitaker. Whitaker by close decision.”
- Emanuel Steward.


Robinson by split decision.

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Robinson - Whitaker




Common Opponents - Freddie Pendleton, Azumah Nelson

Robinson

Stopped Nelson for the WBC super featherweight title in his seventeenth fight, three years after his lose to Whitaker...
Met a no worse for wear Pendleton, also three years after Whitaker and struggled at times but kayoed in the eighth to claim the IBF lightweight title.


Whitaker

Comfortably decisioned both in back-to-back fights in 1990 when defending his lightweight crowns.

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Hello And Welcome




It has finally arrived. Sugar Ray Robinson versus Pernell Whitaker in a fight which has captured the imagination of everyone in the sport and a great deal out of it.

Brought to you by the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and HBO PPV.

The question I have Larry as the main event is about to get underway is, can it live up to the incredible hype?"

'High expectations never help, but we have an aging champion who wants to show what he once was and still is, and then we have a young champion who wants to be sensational, even memorable.

Whether it will be exciting is up to them, but I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world right now.'

Okay, well let's join ring announcer Michael Buffer in the ring."

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Ladies And Gentleman...




... from the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. Main Events presents twelve rounds of boxing for the welterweight championship of the world.

This bout is sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association.

The three judges scoring this bout on a 10-point must system are Duane Ford, Jerry Roth and Frank Cairo.

And when the bell rings, the referee in charge of the action, Richard Steele.

And now ladies and gentlemen, for the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world, this is it, who is pound-for-pound number one, the best in the world.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Let's get ready to rumble.

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Introducing First...




... fighting out of the red corner, wearing white with black trim and weighing one-hundred and forty-five-pounds.

The 1992 featherweight Olympic Gold medalist.

With a perfect professional record of 59 consecutive victories without a loss, 58 by knockout and winning world titles at four different weight divisions.

Ladies and gentlemen, from Harlem, New York City.

The former undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion of the world.

The reigning WBA welterweight champion of the world.

Sugar Ray Robinson

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Across The Ring...




... fighting out of the blue corner, wearing all blue and weighing one-hundred and forty-seven pounds.

The 1984 lightweight Olympic Gold medalist.

As a professional his record stands at 39 victories with one defeat and one draw, 17 victories by knockout.

From Norfolk, Virginia.

Presenting, the four time world champion and reigning WBC welterweight champion of the world.

Pernell Sweet Pea Whitaker

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Ray... Pernell...




... okay we all been here many times before.

The rules and regulations still remain the same, and I will enforce them.

Shake hands and good luck."

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Whitaker Thinks...




... he can frustrate Robinson and make him miss more than he's ever experienced.

Robinson believes he can match Whitaker's boxing ability and stop him, he told me with his left hook.

We're about to find out.""

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[Bell Rings]




Whitaker meets Robinson ring center.

He is right on top of him, it appears to negate the reach."

'Robinson needs to be a bit more active with the jab.'

"Whitaker job right now is to stick close."

'But not that close. That's how cuts happen.'

"Robinson came out of a crouch and there was a clash of heads. Neither fighter seems to have suffered a cut however."

'Lucky. But both need to watch out for that.'

"Robinson having a hard time with Whitaker so far as he lands another jab.

Bell Rings

The bell sounds to end the first round and Pernell Whitaker seems to be in excellent shape."

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[Bell Rings]




Harold Lederman saw the round for the man in blue, Sweet Pea Whitaker."

'Robinson corner were not happy with his first round.'

Trainer George Gainford had some select words before he sent him back out.

Yet it seems to have had no effect as Whitaker lands a nice combination.

Neither fighter looking to hold so far, which always bodes well for a contest."

'A right by Robinson! Whitaker looks hurt!'

"He's backing off and Robinson will give chase."

'Right now Whitaker is using all his veteran tricks.'

"Robinson lands a jab to the midsection as he lets his hands go."

'Pernell is going to make it out of the round.'

"Yes I think you're right. Robinson despite cornering Whitaker, will run out of time any second now."

Bell Rings

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[Bell Rings]




"Pernell Whitaker told his corner that he was not hurt, I'm not sure how much I believe him."

'That was Robinson's right. We'll see what happens when the left lands because right now Whitaker has no head movement.'

"The crowd seem to be with Robinson, the puncher, as they're cheering every-time he even looks to throw."

'Look at the lack of footwork here. They're looking for knockouts.'

"It is hard to understand why Robinson is fighting Whitaker's fight.

The left hook lands from Robinson. Whitaker falls back to the ropes.

Ten seconds left in the round."

'There's no time left.'


Bell Rings

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[Bell Rings]




"Round three began a slugging match and compubox numbers actual favour Whitaker despite Robinson punches having a greater effect."

'The key to this fight is Whitaker is setting the pace. Robinson is not controlling where he's going right now.'

"Harold how do you have it?"

'Two rounds and a tie, 30-28 Pernell Whitaker.'

"Robinson looks to be in for a rough night here."

'Whitaker showing he's a fighter right now as he is beating Robinson in every department.'

"Robinson still has the mustard, but he's not landing on the target.

Another combination from Whitaker."


Bell Rings

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[Bell Rings]




"It's hard seeing Robinson winning this fight if he doesn't change his approach."

'Now there's more of an aggressive start.'

"He doubles up a hook, first to the body then to the head.

That's a lot of hard shots."

'Whitaker isn't evading anything now. He needs to get back his radar.'

He is simply failing to make him miss, which is a key part of Whitaker strategy."

'With Robinson's power this could be over shortly.'

"Oh, a big straight right and Whitaker is forced to grab.

He is beginning to hold on more and more rather than try box right now."

'There's a left hand for Whitaker.

"Robinson comes back with a right hand. What commitment behind those punches."


Bell Rings