Robinson, 35, had already established himself as one of boxing's greats when he won world titles at welterweight and middleweight. He had victories over a rare array of high-profile opponents and was chosen to beat back another challenger despite advancing age.
Gene Fullmer (37-3) won his title by defeating top contenders Rocky Castellani and Tiger Jones. Nicknamed the “Mormon Mauler,” he was one of the toughest challengers on the team with his relentless pressure and physical style.
In front of a crowd of 18,934, Robinson enjoyed moments of success during the opening rounds, using his jab and combinations to create space against a charging opponent. But Fullmer refused to be discouraged. He kept forcing Robinson back, worked the body, leaned on the champion inside, and made every exchange physically difficult.
Fullmer kept up his pressure in the middle rounds, repeatedly backing Robinson into the ropes and forcing him to fight inside.
The turning point came in the seventh round when Fullmer landed punches that dropped Robinson by a six count. Robinson stood up and fought bravely, but the blow showed that the champion could no longer stop the young man.
The second half of the fight almost entirely belonged to Fullmer. Robinson remained dangerous in bursts and never stopped trying to counter with sharp combinations, but Fullmer's unrelenting aggression shut down his offense time and time again. Robinson also battled a cut over his left eye as punishment accumulated during the championship rounds.
By the final bell, there was no doubt who had placed his fight.
The judges gave Fullmer the victory unanimously, with referee Ruby Goldstein scoring it 8-5, Judge Frank Forbes 10-5, and Judge Harold Barnes 9-6. Most newspaper scorecards closely matched the official decision, noting Fullmer's pressure, work rate, and physical dominance throughout the contest.
Many spectators left Madison Square Garden believing that Robinson's remarkable career had come to an end.
Fullmer's victory marked the end of Robinson's third middleweight title reign and set up one of boxing's fastest championship rematches. Fullmer's youth, energy, and relentless pressure have exposed the challenges facing the 35-year-old champion.
Robinson answered those doubts emphatically four months later. In their May 1957 rematch at Chicago Stadium, he regained the middleweight title with a fifth-round knockout, ending Fullmer's reign and becoming the first fighter to stop the reigning champion. The victory turned their first meeting from what looked like a passing of the torch into the first chapter of middleweight boxing's greatest rivalry.
