Shakur Stevenson: Sugar Ray Robinson Was “Buns” & Can’t Defend

Shakur Stevenson downgraded Sugar Ray Robinson in an interview, saying he saw him as a poor fighter compared to guys from this era. He believes Robinson doesn’t compare to Terence Crawford in terms of talent. Stevenson noted that Robinson (174-19-6, 109 KOs) couldn’t pick his hands up and defend.

Shakur: Robinson “Buns” [Poor quality]

“He was buns [slang for poor quality]. Boxing has evolved, bro. Sugar Ray Robinson didn’t even know how to pick his hands up,” said Shakur Stevenson to Cigar Talk, criticizing Sugar Ray Robinson. “Watch him fight Jake LaMotta. He was hitting him [Robinson] with nonstop hooks. Over and over.”

Robinson was at his best when he fought at welterweight, where he compiled a 41-0 record. When he did lose for the first time, he moved up to middleweight and was beaten by the heavier Jake Lamotta, who weighed in 16 pounds heavier than him at 160 compared to his 144.

“All White Boys” Comment

“Sugar Rat Robinson? Who was he fighting? All white boys. I’m not disrespecting the white boys,” said Shakur. “Some of them is good. Yes, I am,” said Shakur when asked if he’s making an argument that Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford is better than Sugar Ray Robinson.”

What Shakur says here sounds racist, and it’s disturbing to hear him say stuff like this. With the position he’s been given by Turki Alalshikh, it’s disappointing to hear.

Pull Up Robinson Tape

“We can pull up tape right now of Sugar Ray Robinson, and then we watch Bud Crawford. You can tell me who is better. Whoever can pick their hands up and have better defense, they’re going to be a better fighter to me,” said Shakur.

Crawford lacked the power, ambition, and work ethic that Robinson. Bud has been fighting once a year since 2020, which suggests that he lacks the same drive that Sugar Ray had. That counts.

Shakur wasn’t about to compare himself favorably to Sugar Ray. So, he used Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) as the one, arguing that he’s a better fighter. He failed to mention that Crawford has a weak record, barren of elite-level fighters. The only two notable fighters Terence beat were the washed-up 34-year-old Shawn Porter and Errol Spence, post-car crash.

If you look at the video below, when Robinson fought at welterweight, you can see he’s a bigger puncher than Crawford is today. That explains all the knockouts Sugar Ray compiled during his career.