Robinson: Modern Times

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[Bell Rings]




"There's some arm punches for Whitaker, there's not much on them and none land.

Down goes Whitaker from a left-right combination!

1... 2... 3... 4... 5...

'He's back up but his legs look shaky.'

"On more than one occasion Pernell Whitaker has been put down, but nobody has ever knocked him out."

'Robinson hasn't got much time.'

"A three-punch flurry. Whitaker retreats to the ropes.

Robinson is not going to stop punching.

'He's not landing much though.'

Bell Rings

"What a round!"

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[Bell Rings]




"As the half way point of the bout, Harold Lederman how do you have it scored through six?"

'Three rounds to two, 57-57, as Robinson scored the knockdown, all tied.'

"Whitaker has come out here and is leading Robinson around the ring."

'He's landing the jab again.'

"This could be a big round for Whitaker.

Whitaker has gotten his legs back as he fires the left hand."

Robinson only knows how to knockout.

"Whitaker is not hurting Robinson here, but he is landing, and by landing he is scoring."


Bell Rings

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"Is Whitaker teasing Robinson? He has dropped his hands and seems to be inviting him to punch."

'This isn't the time for bravado, it's too close for that.'

"Robinson for the first time tonight is dancing.

And it has prompted Whitaker to get on his bicycle."

'Much better from Robinson. Whitaker isn't able to deal with the movement.'

"There's the reaction from Whitaker. He tries to double up the jab.

Robinson still on his toes."

'Both trained for a long fight, we're going to get one.'


Bell Rings

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[Bell Rings]




"A straight right by Robinson!"

'Whitaker just froze.'

"Whitaker grabs and forces Robinson head downwards.

Referee Richard Steele has to step in here."

'Clever delay tactics, clearing his head.'

"There's the hook! Misses with the right.

How is Pernell Whitaker still standing?"

'At his age, fighting this young stud. What a fighter.'

"And now he comes back. Slowing the pace, forcing Robinson to miss."


Bell Rings

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[Bell Rings]




"They told Robinson in the corner to throw the dice and look for the knockout."

'Bad advice. You can't forgot to box.'

"Whitaker throws but there doesn't seem to be any snap to them.

Oh, an uppercut by Robinson!"

'He's backing off again.'

"Whitaker is wincing after that last punch. Has he hurt himself?

Not much action here, perhaps both are coasting now?"

'They don't want to slow the train down.'


Bell Rings

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[Bell Rings]




"With two rounds remaining, Harold Lederman how do you have it?"

'Five rounds to four, 96-94 for Robinson. Whitaker needs a knockdown or a knockout to win this one.'

"There you have it. Whitaker must put Robinson on the canvas to win this fight."

'Both fighters need to look good in these final rounds.'

"Whitaker has gotten off to a good start here.

Robinson circling as he looks to land that right hand."

'He needs to look less and throw more.'

"Whitaker took a shot to the ribs there and it looks to have hurt him.

They exchange blows!"

'Whitaker came off better there.'

"Right hand from Robinson! Whitaker clinches."


Bell Rings

"Has Robinson just won this fight?"

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[Bell Rings]




"Uncharted territory for Robinson, never before has an opponent took him into the championship rounds."

'Will Robinson come out looking for the knockout or will he box to the decision?'

"A huge right hand from Robinson! He's coming out for the kill.

'Whitaker has to be given credit for surviving these punches.'

"Whitaker clinches but Robinson shoves him off as he throws to the body.

Trying to work behind the jab Whitaker must know he needs more."

'There it is. Uppercut by Robinson. Fight over.'

"Whitaker fires a wild right in response and misses wildly."


Bell Rings

"It went the distance and yes, it was worth the wait."

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The Scorecards




"Harold Lederman, what about your final scorecard?"

'116-112, seven rounds to four rounds, Sugar Ray Robinson. Very easy to score.'

"All three judges are from the United States. Here we go."

Bell Rings


"Ladies and gentlemen here at the MGM Grand we go to the scorecards.

Duane Ford scores the bout, 116 to 111.

Jerry Roth and Frank Cairo also scored the bout 116 to 111.

For the winner by unanimous decision.

The pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world.

From Harlem, New York City and new WBC welterweight champion of the world and still the WBA welterweight champion of the world...

Sugar Ray Robinson."

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CompuBox Stats




"Final CompuBox numbers.

Whitaker landing 58 more and throwing 47 more with a slightly better connect percentage."

'Any punch of note that landed was from Robinson, including the knockdown.'

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Larry Merchant...




"... is with Sugar Ray Robinson now."

'Thank you Jim.

Congratulations Ray. Were you surprised at how the fight went? That he was able to stand toe-to-toe with you at times?'

"I'd like to thank everybody who offered their prayers for me, that's what made me successful tonight. I'd -"

'Can I interrupt you Ray?'

"Sure but I'd just like to thank the audience here and at home. Thank you for the opportunity to entertain you tonight."

'Ray, were you impressed by Whitaker?'

"Hell of a fighter. Nobody can say he can't punch. He had me in some bad positions in there."

'What was it that you think won you the fight tonight?'

"Ah I don't know. It was a very good fight. I don't think I've fought a smarter fighter. I was very determined to win the fight.

'Will you now fight De La Hoya?'

"I'm kinda committed to fight Julio Cesar Chavez back here in May, but I don't know after that, maybe another one of this."

'Are you saying you're next fight is against Julio Cesar Chavez?'

"Yes Larry."

'There you have it. Thank you very much Ray. Jim.'

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Thanks Larry




"We are waiting for a word with Pernell Whitaker.

He is now with Larry Merchant in the ring."

'Pernell. You have said that despite your record, that you have never lost a fight in the ring. Has that opinion changed after tonight?'

"No it hasn't. The fans know. They can score it. It was close, but I know that I won this fight."

'You feel you won that fight?'

"Yes. Everybody has wanted me to lose and I still haven't. It was close. I'm still the best fighter in the world."

'You've fought everybody. How does Robinson compare?'

"He's a good fighter. One of the best."

'Do you want a rematch?'

"Yes, let's do it again."

'Thank you.'

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PPV Figures In




Sugar Ray Robinson and Pernell Whitaker recent pound-for-pound and welterweight title bout has smashed the non-heavyweight pay-per-view fight record.

With 950,000 buys only Mike Tyson in recent years has surpassed those numbers.

HBO Sports vice president Lou DiBella, whose company's PPV arm, TVKO, distributed the fight, admitted the fight went through the roof of his expectations.

"I always thought Robinson-Whitaker was going to do very well, and we anticipated setting the non-heavyweight record going in, but to get almost a million buys is incredible.''

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Julio Cesar Chavez




Boxing is a funny business. For months Julio Cesar Chavez has talked about a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya, only for Sugar Ray Robinson to announce immediately after beating Pernell Whitaker that he will be facing Chavez in May. What gives?

Well for starters, Chavez is now a free agent, no longer is he with Don King, nor has he stuck with Bob Arum.

Secondly, Top Rank have let it been known for some time that Chavez's demands for a De La Hoya rematch were unrealistic, in the region of $10 million.

Robinson is about the only attraction in the sport not exclusive with any promoter, Chavez if he wanted to earn anywhere near the money he thinks he is entitled to, only had one option - and he's taken it.

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De La Hoya - Tszyu On




Top Rank promoter Bob Arum today announced that WBC light welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya and IBF light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu will meet in a unification contest on April 12th, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tszyu a recent signing to Top Rank was expected to slowly gain exposure to the U.S. audience, but with the landscape changing, Arum has elected to pair off his top 140-pound fighters immediately.

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Tszyu Takes Crowns




It was a great fight. Oscar De La Hoya and Kostya Tszyu put on a real battle of nutrition as they matched one another for boxing skills.

Both men couldn't be sure of victory as they went into the final round, and what a representative of the fight when not one of the judges was able to decide who won the final round, all scoring it a tie round.

Judge Tim Wood scored it 115-114 for Tszyu and Judge Fred Ucci also favoured the new champion 115-114. Judge Pawel Kardyni scored it 116-113 for De La Hoya.

If either Wood or Ucci had given the last round for De La Hoya, he would have been the winner.

HBO's Harry Lederman favoured De La Hoya 115-114.

De La Hoya who suffered his first professional loss, was quick to ask for a rematch. "There has to be one. It was a great fight. We need to do it again."

The winner praised his opponent, "He is a great champion. We are warriors."

Early pay-per-view figures indicate there were 400,000 buys.

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Robinson - Chavez




May 10th, 22-year-old, 60-0, Sugar Ray Robinson will step into the ring against 34-year-old, 97-2-1, Julio Cesar Chavez and defend his WBA and WBC welterweight titles.

Chavez, who since his defeat to Oscar De La Hoya last February has fought twice, winning both, looks like his last big payday, unless he wins.

For Robinson, it is another future hall-of-famer to add to the list of opponents and another pay-per-view event.

A 12-1 favourite with the city's sports books, it seems Chavez despite his huge Hispanic following is facing a tough battle.

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Robinson - Chavez




"I'd consider fighting anybody who is good business."

That was Sugar Ray Robinson's response to why he will meet Julio Cesar Chavez in his next fight.

"Fight fans like to see me perform and I like to entertain them. I will fight anybody I have to."

The question was then asked how the Chvaez fight come to be.

"That's easy. I heard nothing was working out, so I contacted Julio and we came to an agreement."

That easy?

"Sure. The odd fighter likes to say he'd fight anybody, then have crazy demands at the negotiation table. But for the most part, it's okay."

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Robinson - Whitaker II




Intense negotiations between Sugar Ray Robinson and Pernell Whitaker camps, as well as HBO executives have led to an agreement for a return match on September 20 on HBO.

Both fighters it has been confirmed have signed the contract.

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WBC Reject Voluntary




The World Boxing Council on learning of their welterweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson plans to defend the title against Pernell Whitaker released the following statement.

"Sugar Ray Robinson requested that he be entitled to a voluntary defense against an unnamed opponent, which has been rejected.

A 15 day free negotation period will begin immediately between himself and number one mandatory challenger, Patrick Charpentier, for a contest no later than July 31 1997.

If there is no agreement or date a purse bid will be conducted as per WBC rules and regulations.

Should Sugar Ray Robinson pull out of a purse bid he will lose his status as WBC champion."

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Robinson - Charpentier




As he finished off his final sparring session ahead of the Julio Cesar Chavez fight, champion Sugar Ray Robinson seemed at peace regarding the latest boxing political situation.

"Not a problem. I'd like to go back to France. We'll get the matter resolved in the next few days."