Kovalev "Mean as Sugar Ray Robsinson Outside the ring" ?

[Blueduck]

Heard last night watching the fight an announcer quoting someone that Kovalev was "As mean as Sonny Liston inside the ring, and as mean as Sugar Ray Robinson outside of it."

Did not really know what that meant? I know Sugar Ray Robinson was a bit of prima dona of his era contract wise, and had some women troubles, but never really heard of him being "mean". Then again I'm certainly no historian. Have not really heard of Kovalev doing anything all that bad outside the ring either (well maybe prior to his career getting going in Russia )

Anybody explain what they were talking about???

[them_apples]

Heard last night watching the fight an announcer quoting someone that Kovalev was "As mean as Sonny Liston inside the ring, and as mean as Sugar Ray Robinson outside of it."

Did not really know what that meant? I know Sugar Ray Robinson was a bit of prima dona of his era contract wise, and had some women troubles, but never really heard of him being "mean". Then again I'm certainly no historian. Have not really heard of Kovalev doing anything all that bad outside the ring either (well maybe prior to his career getting going in Russia )

Anybody explain what they were talking about???

robinson was deeply embedded in the criminal underworld. Ran his own brothel and on one occasion koed his wife. I'd say he was mean.

[Psylence83]

In other words they are both really nice dudes!

[bojangles1987]

I think it's meant to call Kovalev nice outside the ring, but Ray Robinson was a vicious dude outside the ring from some of what I've seen.

[////]

No clue. Doesn't really make sense. SRR's reputation is that he had a pretty jovial public image that was ruined via domestic abuse. Not sure how that would apply to Kovalev.

[Blueduck]

I knew about the wife beating thing. We know how horrible it is now, but in the 50's that was sort of common. Then again when men stopped beating their wives "The View" came on television, so that pretty much evened out the score to me.

[Tay Roc]

floyd mayweather sounds worse. He has a brothel in his house and KOs his ex-wife, girlfriends and kids whenever he wants.

[Tom Cruise]

I think it's meant to call Kovalev nice outside the ring, but Ray Robinson was a vicious dude outside the ring from some of what I've seen.

In public he seemed pretty charming, maybe that's what they are referring too?

The bright lights and dark shadows doc obviously paints a different picture...

[Ham Porter]

Robinson's son claimed the cause of his mother suffering multiple miscarriages was his father constantly beating her to a pulp.

[The Gambler1981]

There are several good books about him, if you want to know more.