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Luis Manuel Rodríguez

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Luis Manuel Rodríguez
Rodríguez (right) vs. Nino Benvenuti in 1969
Born
Luis Manuel Rodríguez

(1937-06-17)17 June 1937
Camagüey, Cuba
Died8 July 1996(1996-07-08) (aged 59)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Other namesEl Feo
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height172 cm (5 ft 8 in) [1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights121
Wins107
Wins by KO49
Losses13
No contests1

Luis Manuel Rodríguez (17 June 1937 – 8 July 1996) was a Cuban professional boxer. Known as "El Feo", he began his career in pre-Castro Havana. In Cuba, he twice defeated the ill-fated future welterweight champion Benny Paret. He held the WBA, WBC, and lineal welterweight titles in 1963, and challenged once for the WBA, and WBC middleweight titles in 1969.

After the Cuban Revolution, Rodríguez campaigned in the United States. Fighting out of Miami, Rodriguez decisioned top welterweights such as Virgil Akins and Rudell Stitch.

Professional career

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He was unbeaten in 36 fights before losing a split decision to Emile Griffith in a 1960 non-title fight. In 1963, Rodriguez and Griffith fought twice for the lineal welterweight title.[2] Rodriguez defeated Griffith by a unanimous decision to win the title, but Griffith regained it three months later with a split decision. Their fourth and final meeting came in 1964, with Griffith retaining the welterweight title with a split decision.[3]

Rodriguez was trained by Angelo Dundee at the old 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach alongside Ralph Dupas, Willie Pastrano, Florentino Fernández and Pinklon Thomas.[4]

Rodriguez was ringside and provided ancillary television commentary for the nationally televised Thursday night, 21 March 1963 Dodger Stadium featherweight championship bout between reigning champ Davey Moore and Sugar Ramos, won after ten rounds by technical knockout (TKO) by Ramos and resulting within the hour in a comatose state for Moore, and ultimately his death on 25 March. He had just beaten Griffith (who had himself fought Benny Paret in another tragic fight) for the world Welterweight title in the same program. Moore's death was memorialized by recording artist Bob Dylan in his long-unreleased (but widely bootlegged) song, "Who Killed Davey Moore?" (the complete telecast of the fight is available on YouTube, as are several of Dylan's various performances of the song.)

In November 1969, Rodriguez challenged Nino Benvenuti in Rome, Italy, for the middleweight world title. In the 11th round, slightly ahead on points but tiring and badly cut, Benvenuti suddenly landed a perfect left hook that left Rodriguez on the floor for 5 minutes.[5]

Rodriguez retired in 1972[5] after losing to Donato Paduano in Montreal.[6] He died on 8 July 1996 at South Shore Hospital in Miami Beach.[7]

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2009 The Ring magazine ranked Rodriguez as the third-greatest Cuban boxer of all time, behind Kid Gavilán and Kid Chocolate.[8]

Eastern Airlines Flight 202

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Rodriguez and his trainers were among 33 passengers on Eastern Airlines flight 202 from Miami to Dallas, Texas, when that flight got hijacked and taken to Cuba on July 24, 1961.[9] Rodriguez was fearful for his life since he had escaped from Cuba recently. However, Cuban authorities allowed the plane and its passengers to return to the United States without further incident. Rodriguez was on his way to a fight versus Curtis Cokes, which he eventually lost by split decision some days later, on August 3.

Professional boxing record

[edit]
121 fights 107 wins 13 losses
By knockout 49 3
By decision 57 10
By disqualification 1 0
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
121 Loss 107–13 (1) Donato Paduano SD 10 Apr 12, 1971 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
120 Loss 107–12 (1) Mike Lankester MD 10 Mar 16, 1971 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
119 Win 107–11 (1) Dave Hilton UD 10 Nov 30, 1971 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
118 Win 106–11 (1) Mike Padgett KO 2 (10) Nov 1, 1971 Lander College Athletic Gym, Greenwood, South Carolina, U.S.
117 Loss 105–11 (1) Rafael Gutierrez TKO 6 (10) Aug 3, 1971 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
116 Loss 105–10 (1) Bunny Sterling PTS 10 May 25, 1971 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
115 Win 105–9 (1) Tony Mundine KO 1 (10) Aug 7, 1971 North Melbourne Oval, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
114 Win 104–9 (1) Bobby Cassidy SD 10 Jan 26, 1971 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
113 Win 103–9 (1) J C Ponder KO 5 (10) Dec 1, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
112 Win 102–9 (1) Jose Gonzalez UD 12 Sep 24, 1970 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
111 Win 101–9 (1) Fraser Scott MD 10 Aug 20, 1970 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
110 Loss 100–9 (1) Jose Gonzalez PTS 10 Jul 31, 1970 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
109 Win 100–8 (1) Baby Boy Rolle TKO 5 (10) Jun 27, 1970 Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
108 Win 99–8 (1) Willie Warren UD 10 Apr 14, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
107 Win 98–8 (1) Joe Cokes TKO 4 (10) Mar 17, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
106 Win 97–8 (1) Porter Rolle KO 4 (10) Feb 10, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
105 Loss 96–8 (1) Nino Benvenuti KO 11 (15) Nov 22, 1969 Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, Italy For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
104 Win 96–7 (1) Tom Bethea UD 10 Sep 23, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
103 Win 95–7 (1) David Beckles TKO 2 (10) Aug 12, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
102 Win 94–7 (1) Eddie Owens KO 7 (10) Jul 8, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
101 Win 93–7 (1) Rafael Gutierrez TKO 6 (12) Mar 31, 1969 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
100 Win 92–7 (1) Bobby Williams TKO 7 (10) Feb 20, 1969 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
99 Win 91–7 (1) Doug Huntley UD 10 Jan 21, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
98 Win 90–7 (1) Joe Shaw UD 10 Nov 15, 1968 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
97 Win 89–7 (1) Rudy Rodriguez TKO 4 (10) Sep 4, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
96 Win 88–7 (1) Vicente Rondón UD 10 Jul 18, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
95 Loss 87–7 (1) Vicente Rondón UD 10 Jun 3, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
94 Win 87–6 (1) Ted Wright UD 10 May 5, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
93 Win 86–6 (1) Carl Moore UD 10 Mar 26, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
92 Win 85–6 (1) Charley Austin TKO 6 (10) Feb 6, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
91 Win 84–6 (1) Bennie Briscoe UD 10 Dec 15, 1967 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
90 Win 83–6 (1) Candy McFarland PTS 10 Nov 16, 1967 Maracaibo, Venezuela
89 Win 82–6 (1) Percy Manning TKO 1 (10) Nov 6, 1967 Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
88 Win 81–6 (1) Phil Robinson KO 3 (10) Sep 29, 1967 Caracas, Venezuela
87 Win 80–6 (1) Ferd Hernandez UD 10 Sep 7, 1967 Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
86 Win 79–6 (1) Jimmy Lester UD 10 Jun 28, 1967 Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
85 Win 78–6 (1) Juan Carlos Rivero UD 10 Jun 4, 1967 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
84 Win 77–6 (1) Bennie Briscoe UD 10 Mar 20, 1967 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
83 Win 76–6 (1) Esteban Alfredo Osuna PTS 10 Feb 18, 1967 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
82 Win 75–6 (1) Manuel Alvarez KO 8 (10) Jan 20, 1967 Club Atletico Quilmes, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
81 Win 74–6 (1) Ruben Orrico TKO 4 (10) Sep 24, 1966 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
80 Win 73–6 (1) Juarez de Lima KO 3 (10) Sep 9, 1966 Estadio Norte, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
79 Loss 72–6 (1) Curtis Cokes TKO 15 (15) Jul 6, 1966 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
78 Win 72–5 (1) Tommy Caldwell TKO 2 (10) May 7, 1966 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
77 Loss 71–5 (1) Percy Manning SD 10 Apr 11, 1966 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
76 Win 71–4 (1) George Benton TKO 9 (10) Mar 7, 1966 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
75 Win 70–4 (1) Joey Limas TKO 4 (10) Jan 25, 1966 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
74 Win 69–4 (1) Fred McWilliams TKO 9 (10) Jan 18, 1966 Sportatorium, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
73 Win 68–4 (1) Joe Louis Murphy KO 4 (10) Dec 20, 1965 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
72 Win 67–4 (1) Eddie Pace UD 10 Dec 2, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
71 Win 66–4 (1) Cecil Mott TKO 4 (10) Nov 16, 1965 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
70 Win 65–4 (1) Johnny Morris TKO 2 (10) Oct 4, 1965 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
69 Win 64–4 (1) Rubin Carter UD 10 Aug 26, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
68 Win 63–4 (1) Charley Austin UD 10 Aug 3, 1965 Sportatorium, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
67 Win 62–4 (1) Jose Assuncao UD 10 Jul 26, 1965 Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
66 Win 61–4 (1) Memo Ayon RTD 3 (10) Jul 16, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
65 Win 60–4 (1) Rip Randall UD 10 Apr 21, 1965 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
64 Win 59–4 (1) John Henry Smith KO 10 (10) Mar 26, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
63 Win 58–4 (1) Rubin Carter UD 10 Feb 12, 1965 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
62 Win 57–4 (1) LC Morgan KO 2 (10) Nov 14, 1964 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
61 Loss 56–4 (1) Emile Griffith SD 15 Jun 12, 1964 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. For WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
60 Win 56–3 (1) Jesse Smith UD 10 Apr 4, 1964 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
59 Win 55–3 (1) Holley Mims UD 10 Mar 20, 1964 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
58 Win 54–3 (1) Wilbert McClure UD 10 Dec 27, 1963 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
57 Win 53–3 (1) Wilbert McClure UD 10 Oct 18, 1963 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
56 Win 52–3 (1) Denny Moyer TKO 9 (10) Aug 17, 1963 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
55 Loss 51–3 (1) Emile Griffith SD 15 Jun 8, 1963 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring, welterweight titles
54 Win 51–2 (1) Emile Griffith UD 15 Mar 21, 1963 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
53 Win 50–2 (1) Joey Giambra UD 10 Jan 19, 1963 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
52 Win 49–2 (1) Mel Collins UD 10 Dec 12, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
51 Win 48–2 (1) Santiago Gutierrez TKO 3 (10) Nov 6, 1962 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
50 Win 47–2 (1) Ernest Burford TKO 7 (10) Aug 29, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
49 Win 46–2 (1) Gene Armstrong TKO 8 (10) Jun 3, 1962 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
48 Win 45–2 (1) Yama Bahama TKO 3 (10) May 5, 1962 St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
47 Win 44–2 (1) Ricardo Falech TKO 3 (10) Mar 17, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
46 Win 43–2 (1) Luis Federico Thompson UD 10 Jan 27, 1962 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 42–2 (1) Curtis Cokes UD 10 Dec 2, 1961 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
44 Win 41–2 (1) Jose Gonzalez TKO 7 (10) Oct 24, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
43 Win 40–2 (1) Guy Sumlin TKO 5 (10) Sep 13, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
42 Loss 39–2 (1) Curtis Cokes SD 10 Aug 3, 1961 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
41 Win 39–1 (1) Alfredo Cota KO 4 (10) May 13, 1961 Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
40 Win 38–1 (1) Alvaro Gutierrez TKO 5 (10) Apr 15, 1961 Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
39 Win 37–1 (1) Johnny Gonsalves UD 10 Mar 22, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
38 Win 36–1 (1) Lyle Mackin TKO 5 (10) Feb 21, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
37 Loss 35–1 (1) Emile Griffith SD 10 Dec 17, 1960 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 35–0 (1) Johnny Gonsalves UD 10 Nov 28, 1960 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
35 Win 34–0 (1) Yama Bahama MD 10 Nov 16, 1960 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
34 Win 33–0 (1) Mel Collins UD 10 Oct 24, 1960 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
33 Win 32–0 (1) Basil Campbell KO 5 (10) Aug 17, 1960 Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
32 Win 31–0 (1) Virgil Akins UD 10 Jul 6, 1960 Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
31 Win 30–0 (1) Alfredo Cota KO 2 (10) May 26, 1960 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
30 Win 29–0 (1) Alvaro Gutierrez TKO 4 (12) Apr 7, 1960 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
29 Win 28–0 (1) Chico Vejar UD 10 May 2, 1960 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
28 Win 27–0 (1) Carl Hubbard KO 4 (10) Feb 10, 1960 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
27 Win 26–0 (1) Garnet Hart UD 10 Dec 23, 1959 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
26 Win 25–0 (1) Isaac Logart UD 10 Oct 21, 1959 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
25 Win 24–0 (1) Larry Baker UD 10 Oct 3, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
24 Win 23–0 (1) Rudell Stitch SD 10 Aug 26, 1959 State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
23 Win 22–0 (1) Virgil Akins UD 10 Jun 17, 1959 Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
22 Win 21–0 (1) Cecil Shorts KO 9 (10) May 9, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
21 Win 20–0 (1) Joe Miceli TKO 5 (10) Feb 21, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
20 Win 19–0 (1) Juan Padilla PTS 10 Nov 22, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
19 Win 18–0 (1) Kid Fichique UD 12 Sep 20, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
18 Win 17–0 (1) Benny Paret SD 10 Aug 9, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
17 Win 16–0 (1) Charley Scott KO 9 (10) Jul 26, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
16 Win 15–0 (1) Tony Armenteros PTS 10 Apr 19, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
15 Win 14–0 (1) Rolando Rodriguez KO 4 (10) Mar 29, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
14 Win 13–0 (1) Benny Paret UD 10 Feb 8, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
13 Win 12–0 (1) Rolando Rodriguez PTS 8 Nov 16, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
12 Win 11–0 (1) Gomeo Brennan PTS 8 Sep 28, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
11 Win 10–0 (1) Guillermo Diaz DQ 6 (8) Jul 20, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
10 Win 9–0 (1) Guillermo Diaz PTS 6 Jun 22, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
9 Win 8–0 (1) Vicente Reyes PTS 6 May 18, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
8 Win 7–0 (1) Vicente Reyes PTS 6 Mar 23, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
7 Win 6–0 (1) Guillermo Diaz PTS 6 Feb 16, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
6 Win 5–0 (1) Jose Hernandez KO 5 (6) Jan 12, 1957 Arena Trejo, Havana, Cuba
5 NC 4–0 (1) Jose Hernandez NC 2 (6) Dec 15, 1956 Arena Trejo, Havana, Cuba Bout suspended by rain downpour
4 Win 4–0 Pablo Cardenas TKO 2 (6) Nov 24, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
3 Win 3–0 Julian Yanez PTS 4 Oct 20, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
2 Win 2–0 Vicente Reyes PTS 4 Jul 21, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
1 Win 1–0 Lazaro Hernandez Kessell KO 3 (4) Jun 2, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Luis Manuel Rodríguez.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Cyber Boxing Zone -- Luis Manuel Rodriguez".
  2. ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  3. ^ Luis Manuel Rodriguez. cyberboxingzone.com. Retrieved on April 2, 2016.
  4. ^ Angelo Dundee To Enter Florida Hall Of Fame. Thesweetscience.com (November 10, 2009). Retrieved on 2016-04-02.
  5. ^ a b Luis Rodriguez. www.ibhof.com. Retrieved on April 2, 2016.
  6. ^ Mee, Bob (July 14, 1996). "Obituary: Luis Rodriguez". The Independent. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  7. ^ AP (July 10, 1996). "Luis Rodriguez, 59; Cuban Fighter Held Welterweight Title". The New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  8. ^ 10: Greatest Cuban boxers of all time – Ring TV. Ringtv.craveonline.com (January 11, 2009). Retrieved on 2016-04-02.
  9. ^ "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. August 10, 1961.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA welterweight champion
March 21, 1963 – June 8, 1963 		Succeeded by
Emile Griffith
WBC welterweight champion
March 21, 1963 – June 8, 1963
The Ring welterweight champion
March 21, 1963 – June 8, 1963
Undisputed welterweight champion
March 21, 1963 – June 8, 1963
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