"Sugar Ray"

The Associated Press reports that according to his son, "'Sugar Ray' Robinson would have considered being featured on a postage stamp "an honor for him, an honor for God and an honor for the community."

A new 39-cent stamp, designed to resemble a vintage fight poster of the 1940s and '50s, in honor of Robinson was released Friday night in ceremonies at New York's Madison Square Garden in conjunction with the 2006 Golden Gloves boxing competition.

Robinson reigned as the undefeated world welterweight champion from Dec. 20, 1946, until Feb. 14, 1951, when he won the world middleweight title for the first of five times.

"Sugar Ray" (whose real name was Walker Smith) announced his retirement from boxing on Dec. 18, 1952, but he returned to the ring at the beginning of 1955. He continued to box until retiring for good at the end of 1965.

Shown above is a panel from a USPS poster size mailout to the press inviting them to attend the Golden Gloves and first day ceremony on April 7.

Mine arrived April 8. Oh well.

For more on "Sugar Ray" and other boxers in the International Boxers Hall of Fame, click here.