Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Sweetness in the Ring - Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson
Reading Comprehension for May 3
Walker Smith, Jr.'s story may have begun in Detroit, Michigan. However, his greatest chapter took place in Harlem, an area of New York City. Smith was born in Detroit on May 3, 1921. When Smith was a teenager, his family moved to New York City.
After Smith came to New York, he became interested in boxing at a local Harlem gym. He borrowed an Amateur Athletic Union boxing card from his friend so that he could visit the gym frequently. Borrowing the card also allowed Smith to keep his interest in boxing from his mother. So, who was this friend? His name was Ray Robinson.
Smith, now boxing under the name of Ray Robinson, started his amateur career in that Harlem gym. People who witnessed Robinson in his early boxing days said he had a natural talent for fighting. Crowds would gather at the gym to watch Robinson box. It was Robinson's coach George Gainford who gave him his memorable nickname. After Gainford saw Robinson box for the first time, he said Robinson's motions were "sweet as sugar." Little did Gainford or Robinson know that nickname would stick. Walker Smith, Jr., would now be known as Sugar Ray Robinson.
