Boxing - General & Miscellaneous, Boxing - Individual Boxers, African Americans - Sports & Recreation, Boxers - Biography, African American Sports Biography

Being Sugar Ray

Name: Being Sugar Ray
Author: Kenneth Shropshire
ISBN: 9780465078035

by Kenneth Shropshire

Write a review

Overview

And in this corner, hailing from Black Bottom, Detroit by way of Harlem, with more victories than Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali combined, the greatest fighter-pound for pound-of all time: Sugar Ray Robinson. If imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery then there should be little doubt Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest and most influential American boxer of all time. Fighters (and the occasional alt-rock band) have been adopting his name, and trying to imitate his inimitable fighting style for decades. Sugar Ray Robinson transcended race and sport to become a celebrity athlete in a way that no one-white or black-had accomplished before him. From his business empire to his prized flamingo pink Cadillac, described as the Hope Diamond of Harlem, Kenneth Shropshire shows Sugar Ray was the trailblazer whom every athlete since has been trying, consciously or otherwise, to emulate.

About the Author, Kenneth Shropshire

Kenneth Shropshire is the David W. Hauck Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Director of the school’s Sports Business Initiative. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, as well as on NPR’s "All Things Considered,” ESPN’s "Outside the Lines,” and ABC’s "Nightline.” His previous books include The Business of Sports, In Black and White: Race and Sports in America, and Basketball Jones: America Above the Rim. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and their children.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Kirkus Reviews

An examination of the life of boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and his influence-both direct and indirect-on athletes who came after. This digression-laden biography is less an in-depth character study than a prism through which to view the evolution of the modern celebrity athlete. Shropshire (The Business of Sports Agents, 2002, etc.) contends that Robinson's combination of talent, charisma and style enabled him to attain an iconic status unrealized by previous sports superstars. Born Walker Smith Jr., Robinson grew up in poverty, with boxing one of the few avenues that provided a chance for escape. Despite a slender build, his skill was apparent early on, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the greatest (attaining both the welterweight and middleweight championship titles) and prolific (fighting nearly 200 times, a figure that dwarfs the number of bouts fought by Muhammad Ali and other legends) fighters ever. It was Robinson's influence outside of the ring, however, that the author claims had the greatest cultural impact. With his innate sense of "cool," flamingo-pink Cadillac and million-watt smile, Robinson influenced celebrities outside of the boxing world (Miles Davis), younger fighters (Ali) and countless future athletes. These qualities, combined with his commitment to building businesses in the black community, made him a beloved icon despite his arrogance, womanizing and later financial difficulties. Paradoxically, his popularity surged as his skills eroded late in his career. Shropshire's insights aren't always profound, as he often tracks trends that are readily apparent to even semi-serious sports fans. When he delves deeper, however, and discusses the dearth ofstar athletes with the charisma, intelligence and awareness to take advantage of their positions to agitate for social change (he cites John Carlos and Tommie Smith as models), his skillful analysis serves to highlight the convergence of sports and culture. Evinces some of Robinson's sweetness and flair, but doesn't pack as much power.