Jim Robinson (boxer)
Introduction '''Jim Robinson''' (born ), known as "'''Sweet Jimmy'''", was an 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, 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. 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.
Professional boxing record '''8 Wins''' (3 knockouts, 5 decisions), '''25 Losses''' (16 knockouts, 9 decisions)'''Result''''''Record''''''Opponent''''''Type''''''Round''''''Date''''''Location''''''Notes'''Loss8–25 Kent GreenTKO110/31/1968 MiamiLoss8–24 Richie SmithPTS607/05/1964 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss8–23 Ray LavarroPTS605/05/1964 North Dade Arena, Opa-locka, FloridaLoss8–22 Willie JohnsonKO309/04/1964 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss8–21 Eddie AginKO310/14/1963 Key West, FloridaLoss8–20 Vince HepburnKO203/21/1963 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss8–19 Jack GilbertPTS402/25/1963 North Miami Beach Auditorium, North Miami Beach, FloridaLoss8–18 Andy MayfieldTKO401/24/1963 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss8–17 Ray LavarroUD610/01/1963 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss8–16 Bobo ReckleyKO511/19/1962 MiamiLoss8–15 Bobo ReckleyKO408/11/1962 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss8–14 Junior GrantSD606/14/1962 Little River Auditorium, MiamiWin8–13 Gene WellsPTS604/28/1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, FloridaLoss7–13 Frank PattersonTKO403/29/1962 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss7–12 Frank PattersonPTS403/17/1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, FloridaLoss7–11 Roger WhitleyKO202/28/1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, FloridaLoss7–10 Herb SilerTKO508/02/1962 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss7–9 Jim TillmanPTS411/01/1962 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss7–8 Jim McNeilPTS611/13/1961 Little River Auditorium, MiamiWin7–7Tommy LeePTS606/11/1961 Little River Auditorium, MiamiWin6–7Tom CoxKO110/17/1961 Cutler Ridge, MiamiWin5–7 Tiger Lee FlowersPTS409/10/1961 Sir John Club, MiamiWin4–7 Jim TillmanSD609/25/1961 Sir John Club, MiamiLoss3–7 Al OwensKO509/18/1961 Sir John Club, MiamiWin3–6Ted JonesKO311/09/1961 Sir John Club, MiamiWin2–6 Willie JohnsonUD607/09/1961 Little River Auditorium, MiamiLoss1–6 Joe MossTKO507/17/1961 Sir John Club, MiamiLoss1–5 Yama BahamaKO602/06/1961 Nassau, BahamasLoss1–4 Claude WilliamsKO104/14/1961 Winter Haven, FloridaLoss1–3 Cassius ClayKO107/02/1961  Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, FloridaLoss1–2 Al OwensPTS408/11/1960 North Miami, FloridaLoss1–1 Allan HarmonKO310/13/1960 Key West, FloridaWin1–0Willie JohnsonTKO306/13/1960 Palace Arena, Miami
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