Gene Fullmer Interview: "I Beat Sugar Ray Robinson Twice!"

[shoulderollHD]

Damn!

People stl alive fro. Srr era

[gamehound83]

Fullmer is the only man who would have kicked Haglers ass.

[fistofate]

I saw all but the first fight between Gene and Ray and I never thought Gene won. Gene was a great fighter and he beat some great fighters, but the decision he got in Vegas over Robinson was a gift. He had one big round. He almost knocked Robby out in the third, but Robinson outfought him in most of the rest of the rounds and not by just a little. Promoters pick judges for fights and this was in Fullmer's territory so they gave it to him. I'm sure Robinson wasn't surprised.

[edwards21416]

great interview, take nothing away from fullmer he beat Robinson simple as that 

[crowley0312]

I thought Gene beat Ray trice, lost once and had a draw?

[Helios601]

And Ray also knocked Gene out in their third meeting from the four I think

[fistofate]

This is not to say Fullmer wasn't a great fighter. He was and he's also a great guy. He was gracious in winning and losing. The other thing, the decisons, is just part of the game. Robinson got some gifts also. Some people he got decisions over kicked his butt; it's just that I don't think that happened in these fights. I thought he won both.

[fistofate]

I thought Robinson won the third AND fourth fights. Fullmer got a lot of home town decisions. Boxing is a sport where the promoter and sometimes even the managers of fighters pick the judges. The third and fourth fights, Fullmer was champ and the figthts were in Los Angeles and Las Vegas-Fullmer territory. Robinson was in trouble in the third round of their last fight, but got out of it and got the best of it after that; landing the hardest and cleanest punches of the fight.

[C0LDWiR3]

i've met this old guy! I was in 7th grade when i got into boxing and him and the other Fullmer brothers would hang around the gym! Pretty cool to meet someone in the boxing hall of fame.

[ozenda2]

NO YOU DIDNT

[617AV86892]

Robinson was great but fulmer was great also he beat Basilio twice and and destroyed Benny Paret, and hung tough with Dick Tiger when he was past his prime. Yes Fulmer was a GREAT FIGHTER

[The420Chronic420]

i can only imagine how a boxing legend feels when they watch there old fights when there r old as fuck.

[tellthetruthg]

13 through 15 were called the championship rounds for very good reasons. Any fighter today would want nothing to do with those last rounds

[Ghstwn]

Oh come on! All of You! Fighters like Robinson, Ali, Walcott, Conn, Charles, Patterson, Holmes, & even sluggers like Marciano and Frazier, could not have made a serious impact on critics or fans without some serious losses. (Marciano also). The Charles decision a valid question. But when you come back from a "real loss" with the heart of a fighter like Robinson and Ali. That's where your legacy is defined.

Stand up and beat the man down in the heat of defeat! That is what creates a Champion.

[crowley0312]

@Ghstwn Exactly why Haye is a joke hahaha

[bangitslo]

He was 10 YEARS YOUNGER than Robinson. Give me a break!

[IgnatzKolisch]

"what does that make, the man who beat the man, and not once but twice?"

Who knows all the factors? Ray being naturally smaller, having a slightly off-night, Fullmer moving into a "zone", &c. But in the end, there's one simple statement that sums it up:

The best does not always win.

This goes for boxing and any other contest. I do think Robinson was the better p4p fighter, but Fullmer was amazing as well, of course!

Thanks for this vid, Fullmer's great! I've never seen an interview w/ before

[tellthetruthg]

@IgnatzKolisch the best man that night wins. Next night it might have gone the other way. Best man always wins unless it's fixed

[nubman]

i also trained with Gene and Don and Jay.. good guys. Don and my father worked together. The Fullmers always gave back to the community and when I was training we only had to pay a boxing association fee one a year and he trained us for free. The way it should be.

[chalkmaze]

I know Gene, he's a funny old guy, wish I would have been around for his fights back then, he was a tough one. Nice guy that has given a lot back to his community.

[shoopdawizzle]

@chalkmaze i agree, he has an amazing gym here in salt lake, i love it

[guitarfreak9111]

@shoopdawizzle salt lakes da bomb!

[Rasclot222]

He beat a old Ray for the 3rd time. It doesn't make him shit beating Ray twice. Trying to say Gene wasn't in his prime is bullshit. he's 10 years younger nuff said.

[Ghstwn]

@Rasclot222 A man 90 years old is also younger than a man 100. But I wouldn't call either age a prime. So actually your comment it isn't "nuff" Said. ;D Just a fact. Deal with it.

[carmodifire]

@Ghstwn yes, but a man 30 is prime compared to a man whose 40...

[skaha77]

@carmodifire Robinson's 'Prime was until about age 38. some guys don't lose their legs until 38-40, some go sooner

[dcasey77]

Shame about the sound quality

[LUCIFERVAMPIRO]

Yes it can be said that they were both past their prime in their fourth meeting...But remember, Robinson's prime was from 1946-1951 when he was the unbeatable Welterweight Champion. People forget that what he did in the Middleweight Division was when he was already past his prime, which is the main reason why Historians considered him the best ever. The 4th meeting w/ Fullmer took place in 1961. Both were shot. But Fullmer was a hell of alot closer to his prime than Robinson was!!!...Great Post!

[AliRidah619]

@LUCIFERVAMPIRO true robinson was the greatest welterweight ever i like floyd but he would of killed floyd but robinson was still great at middleweight my dream fight for robin son is him v s hagler

[fullmerfilms]

A few years ago, i went and met my uncle Gene and he was very gracious, classy, and fun to be around. He showed me his title belt and signed some boxing gloves for me and my other Fullmer Family members. I left him with some Alaskan Salmon. He is an amazingly tough boxer. A true Champion both in and out of the ring!!

[gangst1978]

Fullmer was a good fighter, but Robinson 10 years earlier would beat him, the fact is Robinson gave him all he could handle past his best, imagine what he would have done to Gene 7-10 years ealier...

[fistofate]

People don't realize how strong Fullmer was. I think Robinson was the ONLY guy to ever knock him out; although Dick Tiger stopped him at least once. People loved to watch Robinson fight because he was so graceful and stylish. Hey, I DID TOO... but if you're a real boxing fan, you eventually realize that he and Fullmer were right up there in the same league. Gene always gave Robinson all the credit in the world for how great he was. I think people should realize that Fullmer was great also!

[fistofate]

I saw the last Fullmer-Robinson fight on tv and it was another great one between the two. Fullmer was a throwback. His fighting style was much like very early middleweights like Stanley Ketchel and Harry Greb. Robinson was a stylist; beautiful to watch. Their styles were great contrasts. Two people could watch the same fight and have very different opinions about who won. Fullmer was a great fighter. Nobody gives him credit. He dominant in a time of all-time greats. He was very underrated.

[lizardman77]

Ray just couldn't handle a swarming style, the same happened when he fought Basilio. He got lucky in the 2nd fight when Fullmer leaped right into a left hook, otherwise he was toast.

[TheChoice264]

@lizardman77 LOL! Ray "just couldnt handle a swarming style". Is that right? LOL! What...in his 200 or so fights and his 175 or so wins the only "swarming stylists" he fought were Fullmer and Basilio? LOL! I bet Lamotta would disagree with and and tell you that SRR handled swarmers just fine. Rocky Graziano also. I could name you dozens of other good swarmers he ass kicked as well in his PRIME but im sure you only know the Hall of famers Ray had trouble with in the twilight of his career.

[ZION82able]

Robinson was over FORTY YEARS OLD when he lost to Fullmer!!! And in one of their 4 fights, Suger knocked Fullmer SENSELESS...all Gene could ever do was DECISION Robinson. Fullmer was'nt even in Robinsons LEAGUE and could NEVER, I repeat NEVER, have defeated Robinson WHEN HE WAS IN HIS PRIME.

[Dragonwolverine]

Respect..............Peace.

[SPOT187]

Fulmer ws great but honestly "sugar" Ray Robinson was THE GREATTEST OF ALL TIME !

[aligatormonster]

geene and jay fullmer have been a role model 4 me i never thought id train at their gym here in west jordan utah. it s an honor to represent their gym .

[lumpagogo]

Are you a mink-torturer, er, farmer, too? Gene-Mean was the dirtiest fighter whoever lived, on top of being a mink-killer. And, in fact, was thoroughly outfought by:

Joey Giardello

Florentino Fernandez

Robinson (all four)

[novirasputin2]

It was a different time man. Being dirty back then was different than being a "dirty" fighter now.

I mean the slight difference between a hammer fist, and a shot to the top of the head coming up down is so slight.

Ditto rabbit punches or throwing a shot as a guy turns his head.

[lumpagogo]

First, thanxx for all your excellent, 5-star vids, nova-2. They are really just what the doctor ordered. As far as Gene-Mean is concerned, he 'led with his head'. It's anyone's guess why he was allowed to do it. Of course, he was crude and dirty but was also the ultimate middleweight bruiser, was probably a legendary street tough in Utah just as Roberto Duran was in Panama.

[novirasputin2]

Thx dude! I would love to continue doing them but they take so many hours and its just not affordable to really pour your heart in when you can earn a living pouring your heart into something people pay you for.

As far as Gene. Yea I guess, in the way Holyfield leads, but at the same time, this is their tucked chin, aggressive style thing. Most guys who do that, tuck chin, and fight. So its good but also "dirty" in some sense.

My fave fighter ever, Vassiliy Jirov, did that all the time, ya :/

[countchocula342]

@lumpagogo It was actually Gene's trainer who was a mink farmer not Gene himself

[BrooklynSal]

A really nice guy. I had my  picture taken with him at the 75th anniversary of Ring Magazine back in 1997.

[123bigr]

For the record-Dick Tiger beat Fullmer. Do you say he is great as well?

[novirasputin2]

and WHY NOT?

To beat even a "shot" (i use that term in quotes) great, is an accomplishment, and people should understand the concept of "greats," is very fluid and very open to interpretation.

[zoobuh]

He is also related to me.

[042292surfergirl]

i'm related to gene fullmer, he is my great great uncle on my dads side.

[xotatumxo]

love you gene

[somdweller]

Sugar Ray was 147 years old when he fought Gene Fullmer:) He did beat him twice though, but Ray got that KO on him

[FLipZPriDE89]

147? damn... Wtf?

[thefury187]

@somdweller 147 damn whats he immortal

[davidlawrence000]

What a nice man.

[tonnyy06]

Ray Robinson really won that fight and they call it a draw . Robinson knock down Fullmer and call it a slip.

[rockyoumentally]

nice man...

[JoeWCal66]

Robinson was over the hill when gene got him. At his best SRR destroys Fullmer.

[novirasputin2]

I don't understand why an established great fighter's "age" is looked at more positively than Fullmer's? Gene wasn't in his prime either. We already discussed that. He missed a full year of his peak due to being in the army serving in Korea. Plus he won the first fight. Sure SRR's prime made him a better fighter, but that has 0 bearing on the significant victory in the 4th fight.

Being the greatest doesn't mean SRR was unbeatable.

[JoeWCal66]

Was was 37yo and had nearly 200 fights and countless wars he was no where near his best.

If the fight had happened 10yrs prior or even 5yrs prior you would never have heard of Gene Fullmer.

[novirasputin2]

They had 3 other fights :/ Fullmer won a previous one more decisively and SRR was younger.

Your argument is pointless.

[JoeWCal66]

Man u sound like a NUT of course Rocinson was finished.

[123bigr]

nov-Boxing age is different than actual age. Fullmer did not have anywhere near the amount of fights or wars that Sugar had. Holmes beat Ali and so did Berbick and so did Spinks, but we all know that he had been a shot fighter for a long time. A prime Ali would have never lost to Frazier, but age can do things to you. Fullmer is a great fighter, but do not base it on beating an aging Robinson. Holmes is great, but not because he beat Ali

[novirasputin2]

It is an accomplishment, and not necessarily the only one, but in conjunction with others this is an accented one.

Tyson for instance beat a Larry Holmes by KO, and Holmes fought on and was still a decent fighter.

Hence, the fact that Tyson beat a not hyper-aged Holmes, does say something about Tyson.

Get it?

[bloodgutsnglory]

In all honesty though Holmes took the Tyson fight for money alone and didn't even train for the fight. At least very little. And Tyson was at his peak. When Holmes made a more legit comeback he worked very hard and was hard to handle because he was one of the greatest heavyweights in history.

[bcibibcibcpCB]

@123bigr It's not only age with fighters. The damage to their brains, nerves, body and spirit piles up. Ali and Sugar Ray were in so many wars, it's hard to understand in these days.

[Fantasmoid]

Sugar Ray would have toyed with Basillo is they fought in the 40's

[viglen4]

He did in the 2nd fight left- hook right on the button, robinson was in his forties in this fight!!

[Rick7G]

Great interview. This man deserves far more credit. Anyone who can thrash Robinson twice and stop Basilio twice has to be one of the very greatest. Thank you Gene Fullmer!

[Soulblackman]

ALL middleweights are LUCKY they fought SRR when he a)went up in weight b)did it when he was older.Fullmer, Bastilio, LaMotta would have ALL been KOed COLD if they'd fought him earlier.these guys talk like they were born punch-drunk.

[uncjim]

Fantastic. What a gentleman Gene is. Thanks for this.

[flashingswords]

Thanks for posting. Definitely one of the greats IMO. Shame that the audio starts to mess up at about 7 mins. FYI, Fullmer missed out on a year of his career because he had to go and fight in Korea.

[novirasputin2]

Yea, I read that after the fact about Korea. I would have asked about it too had I known at the time but I had so much research to do for all the fighters:( Also he wasn't feeling good as you can hear from his voice so I was really glad that I got something and that his family was OK with the interview. I noticed that about the sound. I have no idea why that suddenly happens either. The video seemed fine before editing :/ Its not too bad though I guess.Thanks for viewing. I'm glad ya like it

[bbxx44]

Fullmer was probably the strongest middleweight who ever lived. I met hi at the HOF a few years back. He was great to talk to.

[Quicknsick]

Good interview man. LoL Basilio was picking on people there too? Hahaha what was he doing? I saw in your last vid he hit your friend in the balls. He is still just as hostile as ever or what? Please get back to me. I'd like to hear it from a witness. What was he doin?

[novirasputin2]

My friend? No dude he hit me in the balls! :)

He hit Malignaggi in the face, or tried to at least. That is his MO, and he don't give a crap.

I hope some people don't take it the wrong way but it is funny as hell.

Actually, he picked a fight with Emile Griffith. They started to gear up to have a real fist fight! I swear to god, and in fact I have the pictures to prove it. Attendants and their families had to separate them.

[Quicknsick]

Hahahaha thats hilarious. Picking a fight with Emile Griffith at this age. I imagine its not out of senility I get the feeling he was always like that. I'd kill for a picture of that. Im a huge Basilio fan. I've got his book The Onion Picker. Haha love how when you guys hit him up about hitting you in the balls he was all like "He had it comin" Frikkin Golden.

[novirasputin2]

You know, now that I think of it what I will do is post a "Emile Griffith vs Carmen Basilio vid, with those pics. Sorta like a fantasy fight with some elements of realism thrown in. Its a set of 5 pics i snapped when I realized they went from joking around to trying to hurt each other or something :/

[Quicknsick]

Thats a great idea. I think there should be as much videos and pictures of these old timers made available as possible. Were starting to lose them to old age. I didnt even know Emile was still around. Thats great to hear. I know Lamotta is. I talked to him on the phone a few months ago. And we just lost Rocky Castellani last August. Shame theres not too much footage available from them.

[odin422]

Great interview, that guy is the definition of TOUGH.

Strong as a bull in his day, his first fight with Basillio was a MASTER-class in sticking-and-moving.

No nickname needed for Gene.