Luis Manuel Rodríguez
Cuban boxer
Luis Manuel Rodríguez
Born Luis Manuel Rodríguez
(1937-06-17 ) 17 June 1937Died 8 July 1996(1996-07-08) (aged 59) Other names El Feo Statistics Weight(s) Height 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) [1] Stance Orthodox
Boxing record Total fights 121 Wins 107 Wins by KO 49 Losses 13 No contests 1
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
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 eleventh-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] 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 .[6]
Eastern Airlines Flight 202
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.[7] 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
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
References
External links