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In the ring, Gene Fullmer was substance over style.
A mormon from West Jordan, Utah, Gene Fullmer turned pro in
1951, one month before his 20th birthday. He scored knockouts
in 14 of his first 16 pro fights while campaigning primarily
in the West. Among his significant early victories was a
points win over future middleweight champ Paul Pender. Wins
over Rocky Castellani, Gil Turner and Ralph "Tiger" Jones in
1956 moved him into title contention.
He captured the middleweight title in 1957 by decisioning
legendary champion Sugar Ray Robinson. Again, it was Fullmer's
ability to endure punishment and his tireless attack that
carried him to victory. In a rematch with Robinson four months
later, Sugar Ray scored a one-punch knockout, delivering a
left hook in the fifth round that some have called "the
perfect punch."
Two years later, Fullmer won the NBA middleweight title by
scoring a 14th-round knockout of Carmen Basilio. Seven
successful title defenses followed. In that span, he beat
Spider Webb, Basilio, Robinson, Florentino Fernandez and Benny
Paret and fought to draws against Robinson (in their fourth
and final fight) and Joey Giardello.
His reign as middleweight champion ended in 1962 with a
15-round loss against Dick Tiger. Theu fought a rematch in
1963 and the bout ended in a draw. A third match follwed and
Fullmer retired after getting knocked out in the seventh
round.
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