Jim Robinson (boxer)

"Sweet Jimmy" Jim Robinson (born 1925) is a retired American boxer from Miami. Robinson fought Muhammad Ali 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 Ali

On February 7, 1961, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was scheduled to fight Willie Gullatt in Miami Beach. According to Gullatt, promoter Chris Dundee, Angelo Dundee's brother, offered Ali $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 Ali. Robinson showed up at Miami Beach Convention Hall with his gear in an old army bag. Ali 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