George Costner
Encyclopedia
George "Sugar" Costner was a professional boxer
. Costner was a major welterweight contender from 1944 to 1950.
Costner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
, and started his career 70–9–5. In 1950, Costner fought Sugar Ray Robinson
for the second time, having been knocked out by the great Sugar Ray at 2:55 of the first round on February 14, 1945. Costner, by the time of their second bout had taken to calling himself "Sugar" and stated in the weeks leading up to the fight that he was the rightful deserver of the name. However, Robinson, who is widely considered one of the greatest fighters in history disagreed. "We better touch gloves, because this is the only round," Robinson said as the fighters were introduced at the center of the ring. "Your name ain't Sugar, mine is." Robinson then knocked Costner out in 2 minutes and 49 seconds. Afterward, Robinson reportedly told Costner, "[n]ow go out and earn yourself the name." In his next fight Costner fought future Hall of Famer Kid Gavilan
, and won in a controversial 10 round decision. After two more fights, including a 10-round, unanimous decision over future Hall of Famer Ike Williams
, Costner retired in 1950 with a 73–11–4 record.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Costner was a major welterweight contender from 1944 to 1950.
Costner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, and started his career 70–9–5. In 1950, Costner fought Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson was an African-American professional boxer. Frequently cited as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson's performances in the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight...
for the second time, having been knocked out by the great Sugar Ray at 2:55 of the first round on February 14, 1945. Costner, by the time of their second bout had taken to calling himself "Sugar" and stated in the weeks leading up to the fight that he was the rightful deserver of the name. However, Robinson, who is widely considered one of the greatest fighters in history disagreed. "We better touch gloves, because this is the only round," Robinson said as the fighters were introduced at the center of the ring. "Your name ain't Sugar, mine is." Robinson then knocked Costner out in 2 minutes and 49 seconds. Afterward, Robinson reportedly told Costner, "[n]ow go out and earn yourself the name." In his next fight Costner fought future Hall of Famer Kid Gavilan
Kid Gavilan
Gerardo González , better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a former world welterweight champion from Cuba...
, and won in a controversial 10 round decision. After two more fights, including a 10-round, unanimous decision over future Hall of Famer Ike Williams
Ike Williams (boxer)
Ike Williams was a former lightweight world boxing champion. Williams was known for his great right hand, and was named to the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time as well as Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year for 1948.-Professional Career:During his career, Williams faced and...
, Costner retired in 1950 with a 73–11–4 record.