Biography on famous boxer Robinson to be released in Watertown next week

A biography of boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, who got his nickname in Watertown in 1939, will have its national release Oct. 14 at a dinner at the Italian-American Civic Association in Watertown.

"Sweet Thunder," by Wil Haygood, will be released by Random House here because of the ties the boxer forged in Watertown in the early years of his career. Watertown Daily Times Sports Editor Jack Case in 1939 helped bring the young boxer to Watertown. After seeing the amateur perform in a bout against a Canadian fighter, he wrote the next day that his fighting style was sweet like sugar. The name stuck.

"There is a lot of Case and Watertown in the book," Mr. Haygood said. "The scene and locale meant a lot to Robinson; during his last days out in California he was reminiscing about what Watertown had meant to him."

Mr. Haygood, a features writer for the Washington Post, will speak and sign copies of his book following a dinner Oct. 14 at the Italian-American Civic Association. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved by calling the Italian-American club at 782-1080.

Mr. Haygood will also be on the campus of Jefferson Community College Oct. 15 for several programs.

Mr. Haygood is the author of the critically acclaimed "In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr." and "King of the Cats: The Life and Times of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr."