Bert Sugar was far more than a boxing historian. He was the sport’s most recognisable storyteller — the man with a fedora, a cigar, and a sharp wit that cut through the noise.
Known for his encyclopaedic memory and his gift for words, Sugar became the face of boxing journalism during a golden age of sports writing. His work captured not just the punches, but the poetry of the fight game.
Bert Sugar: Early Life and Education
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1937, Herbert Randolph Sugar grew up in an era when boxing dominated the airwaves. His sportswriting carried significant cultural weight. After earning a law degree from the University of Michigan. He briefly practised law before realising his true passion lay elsewhere.
His love for boxing — and for storytelling — soon pulled him into the world of sports journalism.
Sugar’s legal background helped shape his analytical mind, but it was his charisma and humour that defined his voice. He once said that writing about boxing wasn’t just about reporting who won, but about capturing the soul of the fight and the people behind it.
Rise in Boxing Journalism
Bert Sugar began writing during the 1960s. A time when boxing still dominated the headlines. His witty style and ability to mix fact with flair quickly earned him a following. Sugar edited Boxing Illustrated and later became the editor and publisher of The Ring Magazine, often referred to as “The Bible of Boxing.”
Throughout his career, Sugar contributed to major publications like Sports Illustrated, Esquire, and The New York Times. His distinctive fedora and ever-present cigar became trademarks, turning him into a familiar figure ringside and on television talk shows.
He was not just a journalist. He was an entertainer. Sugar understood that boxing was theatre — and he played his role to perfection.
Career Highlights and Major Achievements
Bert Sugar wrote more than 80 books across sports, history, and culture, with many focusing on boxing legends. His works include The 100 Greatest Boxers of All Time, Bert Sugar on Boxing, and Boxing’s Greatest Fighters. Each book reflected his vast knowledge and deep love for the sport.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. This was a fitting tribute to his lifelong devotion to the game. Sugar was also a frequent commentator on ESPN, HBO, and CBS, where his insights blended humour with history.
His interviews with icons like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Sugar Ray Leonard became legendary. Sugar had an uncanny ability to put fighters at ease, getting them to share their thoughts on fame, failure, and redemption.
Beyond boxing, Sugar’s writing extended to baseball, football, and American cultural figures. But it was boxing — raw, real, and unforgiving — that remained his home.
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Bert Sugar: The Magic of His Writing Style
Source: Deposit Photos
What made Bert Sugar stand out was his ability to bring fighters to life. His sentences were short, sharp, and filled with rhythm. He knew when to jab with humour and when to land a punch with emotion.
He often compared writing about boxing to painting. Each fighter. He said it had colour, texture, and movement. Sugar’s gift was to translate those elements into words that could make readers feel the roar of the crowd or the stillness before the bell.
His books weren’t just lists of stats. They were love letters to the sport. Sugar wrote about Ali as a poet-warrior, about Dempsey as a street brawler, and about Sugar Ray Robinson as pure art in motion.
Influence on Sports Media
Bert Sugar revolutionised the way boxing was covered. Before him, sports writing was often plain and factual. Sugar brought flair, history, and storytelling into the mix. He was a bridge between old-school journalism and modern commentary.
He easily embraced television and radio. Appearing on shows such as Larry King Live and ESPN Classic. His storytelling ability made him a natural on-screen. When he spoke, even casual viewers felt drawn into the world of boxing.
Sugar was also one of the early advocates for preserving boxing history. He tirelessly documented classic fights, ensuring that future generations would remember the sport’s great moments.
Legacy of Bert Sugar
When Bert Sugar passed away in 2012. The boxing world lost more than a historian. It lost a voice that connected the past and the present. His legacy endures through his books, interviews, and the numerous writers he inspired.
Modern sportswriters often cite him as a major influence. His unique combination of humour, heart, and honesty set a standard for storytelling that few can match. Even today, reading one of his essays feels like sitting ringside with an old friend who knows every fighter’s story.
Why Bert Sugar Still Matters
In an era dominated by quick headlines and digital noise. Bert Sugar’s style feels refreshing. He reminded readers that boxing is not just about who wins or loses; it’s also about the journey. It’s about people — their struggles, their courage, and their dreams.
Sugar’s work continues to resonate because he captured that human side of sport. His legacy teaches today’s writers to mix knowledge with passion and always to respect the subjects they cover.
Personal Charm and Public Persona
Bert Sugar was a showman. Whether on television or in person, he spoke with warmth and wit. His hat and cigar were not mere gimmicks; they were integral to his identity. He joked that they helped him think better, but they also became symbols of his old-school charm.
Friends and colleagues often said that Sugar had time for everyone. He could discuss the finer points of a fight with a world champion one moment and share stories with fans the next. His accessibility made him beloved across the boxing community.
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His Connection with Boxing Legends
Sugar had personal friendships with many of boxing’s biggest names. His interviews with Muhammad Ali, in particular, were among his most famous works. Ali once described Sugar as “a man who knows more about boxing than anyone alive.”
He also shared close ties with trainers like Angelo Dundee and fighters such as Joe Frazier and George Foreman. His insights often came not from press releases, but from direct conversations with the men who defined boxing history.
A Storyteller First, a Historian Always
Sugar loved history. He often said that understanding boxing required knowing its origins. His books explored how social and economic forces shaped the sport, how fighters reflected their times, and how boxing mirrored society’s struggles.
That perspective made his writing timeless. Whether discussing Jack Johnson’s defiance or Tyson’s rise, Sugar gave context that brought depth to every story.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Bert Sugar
Bert Sugar’s contribution to sports journalism goes beyond boxing. He showed that passion, humour, and honesty could elevate writing from reporting to art. His life reminds us that storytelling is at the heart of every great sport.
For boxing fans, he remains the gold standard. A reminder of what happens when love for the sport meets the gift of words. As long as people care about the sweet science, Bert Sugar’s voice will echo through its history.
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