Chicago Lightweight Contender Johnny Lira Dies at 61
By: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Correspondent
*Photo Copyright Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media, All Rights Reserved
New York, NY (December 12th, 2012)– Colorful and controversial Chicago lightweight contender Johnny Lira, who was ranked number one by the WBA and was undefeated in his first 18 professional bouts when he was stopped in the ninth round of a World Boxing Association world title bout by Ernesto Espana of Venezuela in Chicago in August 1979, died on December 8, 2012, of liver disease in Chicago at age 61. Lira boxed professionally from 1976 to 1984, compiling a record of 29 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, with 16 knockouts.
After coming out of prison for burglary, street fighter Lira turned his life around and won the Chicago Golden Gloves championship at lightweight, and then turned pro, going unbeaten in his first 18 pro bouts. Talking about his involvement in Chicago Boys Clubs, Lira remembered “I put my head in a positive direction.”
In a major upset at the time, Lira knocked out Andrew Ganigan in the sixth round in August 1978 to win the United States Boxing Association Lightweight title. Lira knocked down Espana in his only world title opportunity, but failed to finish him. He later got a shot at the USBA Light Welterweight title, but was stopped on a cut eye in the ninth round by Willie Rodriguez in an August 1981 bout in Honolulu, Hawaii. Lira also lost ten round decisions to 1976 Olympic Lightweight Gold Medalist Howard Davis Jr. and former WBC Super Featherweight champion Alfredo Escalera. Lira’s notable wins included decisions over Carl Crowley, Anthony Travis, Nate Stewart, Trevor Evelyn, Al Ford, Bobby Plegge, Larry Stanton, Pedro Acosta, Manuel Lopez, and Rogelia Casteneda.
Lira retired from the ring at age 34 after a ten round decision loss to Russell Mitchell in Illinois in 1984, and had devoted himself to training amateur boys and girls at boxing clubs in the Chicago area. He also made several movie cameo appearances. A liver transplant recipient, Lira had appeared in relatively good health in recent years, and made public appearances at boxing cards in the Chicago area. His professional record on BoxRec can be found at http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=19930&cat=boxer
Funeral arrangements for Johnny Lira in Chicago were private. Johnny Lira is survived by four children. His daughters Nina and Kimberly and Gina, and his son LaVarge Lira.
Howard Cosell called the Espana-Lira WBA bout for ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
Rounds one through four on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kRrE02AW1I
Rounds six through eight on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esOy26n60Cg
Round nine of YouTube and postfight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tFfLYQtj3k
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