Robert Villemain was a French welterweight and middleweight boxer.

Villemain became the European welterweight champion in 1947 and was able to defend his title several times. He lost his title in 1948 because he was unable to maintain the proper weight, and moved to the United States in 1949, where he competed as a middleweight boxer.

In the United States, Villemain fought against well-known boxers like Kid Gavillian, whom he defeated by split decision, Jake LaMotta, and Sugar Ray Robinson. In his first bout against LaMotta, Villemain lost in a controversial split decision. In a subsequent rematch, Villemain defeated middleweight champion Jake LaMotta by unanimous decision- but LaMotta’s title was not at stake in that fight.

Villemain later faced off against Sugar Ray Robinson in two title bouts, but lost to Robinson in each one. Villemain lost the first bout by unanimous decision and the second by TKO.

Following Marcel Cerdan, Robert Villemain was the second French middleweight boxer to win respect and recognition in the United States in the post-war period, although he was unable to win the world champion’s title.

Villemain had a boxing record of 52 wins in 63 fights, with 7 losses and 4 draws.