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SUGAR & FLOOD: GREAT
HBO DOCUMENTARIES August 9, 2011 (New York) One documentary
came out in the '90s, and the other came out last month. Masterpieces. Hard-hitting. Insurmountable
truth. Sugar Ray Robinson & Curt Flood. Hats off to HBO.
Sugar Ray Robinson: The Bright Lights
and Dark Shadows of a Champion first aired on HBO in 1998. Fortunately, you can see it on "HBO On-Demand."
Born Walker Smith on May 3, 1921, the documentary chronicles the "hard" rise of the greatest boxer (by far) to ever
live.
Some of the highlights are his 40-0 record before losing to "Raging Bull" Jake LaMotta.
They fought five more times with Robinson winning all of the fights. The sixth and final fight was dubbed the St. Valentine's
Day Massacre because it was fought on February 14, 1951, and it was the first time LaMotta was defeated "legitimately"
by TKO.
What is most interesting is who he was outside the ring. Robinson was a tempermental, troubled genius.
He was probably the toughest negotiator in the history of the sport. In addition, he had a strip of businesses in Harlem,
spent his money freely, had an eye for the ladies and nightlife, and was not the best husband or father. Despite his
flaws, the documentary shows that Robinson was a tortured soul who was haunted by his pugilistic efficiency. Unfortunately,
he killed a man in the ring after dreaming the night before that he'd do just that. Initially, Robinson pulled out
of the fight, but he was talked into fighting by two clerics. It was a decision that he'd live to regret.
After 25 years of fighting, Robinson hung 'em up for good in 1965 with a record of 173-19-6 (and 2 no contests).
He greatly influenced Muhammad Ali and many other fighters over the last four decades.
Equally provocative and
revealing was HBO's latest documentary, "The Curious Case of Curt Flood." Curt Flood was an excellent
baseball player who "bucked" the system and was the catalyst for what later became known as "free agency."
Well-spoken and outspoken, the enigmatic Flood became a thorn, not only in the baseball establishment's side,
but to the other sports leagues and their ownership as well. Flood endured harassment, surveillance, substance abuse,
and abandonment.
What is most compelling about the documentary is how Flood never strayed from his beliefs even
though he suffered tremendous personal strife. The athletes today owe him a debt of gratitude, and most of them don't
know it.
The documentary serves as a reminder for all, players, owners, leagues, and fans. Flood is singularly
one of the most heroic figures in the history of sports, and is a must-see for young athletes regardless of their sport.
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