Argentine Faves: Bonavena, Castro, Firpo, Galindez, Locche, Martinez, Monzon, Roldan
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In a historical sense, each country offers its share of athletes past, present and future. Argentina has a grand history of sports. There are eight names which this reporter considers to be fan favorites, in terms of surviving the test of time. There certainly have been many champions in sports from Argentina, including boxing. These particular eight names have a more recent impact in terms of respect and recollection. The list is by no means complete, just that not all Argentine boxers represent ones personally remembered.
Heavyweight Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena (1942-1976), 58-9-1, 44 knockouts, Buenos Aires, Argentina, fought between 1964 and 1976. Bonavena is most noteworthy for losing to Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier twice, Zora Folley, Jimmy Ellis, Ron Lyle, and drawing with Gregorio Peralta. His career ended on May 22, 1976, without receiving a world title opportunity, after being shot dead by a security guard at the Mustang Ranch near Reno, Nevada, after a dispute over the owner of the ranch.
Jorge Fernando “Locomotura” Castro (born 1967), 130-11-3 with 90 knockouts, Buenos Aires, Argentina, held the World Boxing Association World Middleweight title (fought in six WBA world title bouts), and was also a WBS Super Welterweight and International Boxing Federation cruiserweight world title challenger. Best known for his February 1997 upset of Roberto Duran by decision in Argentina. One judge gave Castro every round. Duran won the ten-round rematch hometown decision in Panama City four months later.
Heavyweight Luis Angel Firpo (1894-1960), “The Wild Bull of the Pampas”, 31-4 with 26 knockouts, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Best known for his November 1923 challenge against Jack Dempsey for the World Heavyweight title. Firpo, down seven times in the first round, famously knocked Dempsey out of the ring with a right hand, making history. Dempsey was pushed back in by fans. After eleven knockdowns total between both combatants, Dempsey knocked out Firpo at 57 seconds of the second round to end the legendary bout.
Victor Galindez (1968-1980), 55-9-4 with 34 knockouts, Buenos Aires, Argentina, World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight champion (12-2 in world title bouts), retired after surgery to repair two detached retinas and died as a racecar driver. His car broke down on the first lap of his first race at Argentina’s Turismo Carretera, and as he walked off the track with a co-driver, both were run over and killed by another driver whose car went out of control and spun off the track.
Nicolino “Untouchable” Loche (1939-2005), 117-4-14 with 14 knockouts, a technical fighter, fought between 1958 and 1976 and held the World Boxing Association World Super Lightweight title.
Sergio Gabriel Martinez (born 1975), 53-3-2 with 30 knockouts, Buenos Aires Argentina, boxing out of Madrid, Spain, the former World Boxing Council World Middleweight champion, took six years off due to knee injuries later repaired. Martinez is currently three bouts into a comeback at age 46, and fights Brian Rose on September 25, 2021.
Carlos Monzon (1942-1995), “Escopeta”, 87-3-9 with 59 knockouts, Santa Fe, Argentina, held the World Middleweight title, and was undefeated in his last 80 professional bouts. Monzon went off a second-story balcony with his common-law wife Alicia Muniz, who died, was convicted, and sentenced to eleven years in prison. He died at age 52 seven years into his sentence, driving in a car crash while on furlough for good behavior, as he was allowed to spend weekends at home. Another passenger died, another passenger was injured.
Middleweight contender Juan Domingo Roldan (1957-2020), “The Hammer”, 67-5-2 with 47 knockouts, Cordoba, Argentina, fought between 1978 and 1988, is best known for his three unsuccessful attempts to win the World Middleweight title from Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Michael Nunn. His last bout, an eighth-round knockout loss to Nunn in Las Vegas for the IBF Middleweight title, was his swan song. Later became a rancher on his dairy farm.
Marcos René Maidana, 35-5 with 31 Kos competed from 2004 to 2014. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the WBA (Regular) super lightweight title from 2011 to 2012, and the WBA welterweight title from 2013 to 2014. He took Floyd Mayweather to the distance twice and almost became the first fighter to defeat Floyd Mayweather in 2014 and also defeated Adrien Broner in 2013, who was undefeated and a 4 division world champion. Maidana also defeated World Champions, Victor Ortiz, Erik Morales and Josesito Lopez during his 10 year career. Maidana who was known for his iron will, was never stopped in his 5 losses.
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