The author of a new biography of Sugar Ray Robinson launched his book with appearances in Watertown this week.

Wil Haygood is a Washington Post columnist and author of two previous biographies, of a politician, Adam Clayton Powell, and an entertainer, Sammy Davis Jr.

"I wanted to be able to sauy I completed a trilogy," Haygood told 7 News. "I wanted an athlete who transcended his sport, and Sugar Ray Robinson did that."

The book is titled "Sweet Thunder: The Life & Times of Sugar Ray Robinson."

The fighter was christened 'Sugar Ray' after a fight in Watertown, in what was once Starbuck Arena, a building on Starbuck Avenue now used by a construction company.

"It was a dazzling display," Haygood said. Robinson fought so well, a woman at the fight supposedly declared him 'sweet,' which prompted longtime Watertown Times sports editor Jack Case to put the 'Sugar Ray' nickname to print.

Click on the picture of Sugar Ray to watch Mel Busler's interview with Haygood.

You can buy Haygood's book through amazon.com.