Carlos Palomino

Last updated

Carlos Palomino
Carlos Palomino 1976.jpg
Palomino in 1976
Born
Carlos Palomino

(1949-08-10) August 10, 1949 (age 74)
Nationality Mexican
Statistics
Weight(s) Light middleweight
Welterweight
Light welterweight
Height5 ft 9 in (177 cm)
Reach71 in (181 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights38
Wins31
Wins by KO19
Losses4
Draws3
No contests0

Carlos Palomino (born August 10, 1949) is a Mexican former professional boxer. [1] Palomino is a former World Welterweight Champion [2] and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. [3] Palomino is also an actor who has been featured in several television shows and films. [4] He achieved a considerable amount of fame during the 1970s, especially among Mexican and Southern California fans. [5]

Contents

Early life

He moved to Los Angeles, California from his native Mexico when he was ten years old. [6]

Amateur boxing career

Palomino was an All-U.S. Army champion in 1971 and 1972. As an amateur, Palomino won the 1972 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion at 137 lb., defeating eventual Olympic gold medalist Ray Seales. [7] He was discharged from the Army later that year and enrolled at Orange Coast College and later Long Beach State, where he obtained a degree. [8]

Professional boxing career

In 1972, his name was becoming better known in California. This was likely caused by the number of his fights taking place there. He won five fights (one by knockout) in 1973. [9]

In 1974, Palomino went through an increment in quality of opposition. He won six fights and lost one. He beat David Arellano twice, by a decision in ten and by knockout in nine, as well as Tommy Howard, by decision in ten, but he lost to Andy Price, who was a title contender at the time, by decision in ten in San Diego. [10]

In 1975, he won four fights, and drew in two. He and Zovek Baraja had two bouts that year, the first one resulting in a ten-round draw and the second one being a nine-round knockout win for Palomino. He also drew with Hedgemon Lewis. [11]

WBC Welterweight Championship

After winning two fights in 1976, Palomino found himself and his trainers travelling to London, where an internationally televised world championship bout awaited him against WBC world Welterweight champion John H. Stracey, a British boxing teacher who had dethroned José Nápoles as world champion. Palomino became a world champion on the night of June 22 of that year at Wembley Arena, after Stracey eventually succumbed to a blistering body attack and was put on the canvas twice from left hooks to the liver. Many Mexicans who viewed Nápoles, a Cuban born resident of Mexico, as another countryman, saw this as a revenge from Stracey. [12]

He waited six months for his next fight, against another very popular boxer of Mexican background: cross-town rival Armando Muñíz. [13] This was a fight that had many fans guessing who'd win it for months before it happened, but it also made history in the boxing books: When Palomino and Muñíz met, on January 21, 1977, it was the first time in boxing history two college graduates met for a world title. [14] Palomino earned a degree in recreation administration from Long Beach State, while Muniz had graduated from Cal State Los Angeles, where he majored in Spanish and minored in math, and was working toward a graduate degree in administration. Palomino and Muniz (now a high school teacher in California) fought what the book The Ring: Boxing in the 20th. Century has described as one of the best fights of 1977. [15] After 14 rounds, all three judges had the fight tied on their scorecards, but Palomino scored two knockdowns in the fifteenth and final round and he retained the world title by a knockout in that final round. A return to London resulted in an 11th-round knockout victory over Dave Boy Green , after which he defended against Everaldo Costa Azevedo and Jose Palacios, Azevedo being defeated by decision in fifteen and Palacios by knockout in thirteen. [16] Azevedo was actually beating Palomino for the first 10 rounds of the fight. [17]

In 1978, he defended his crown with a win over Ryu Sorimachi by a knockout in seven, a knockout in nine over Mimoun Mohatar, and a decision in fifteen in his long-awaited rematch with Muniz. [18]

His championship run ended in 1979, when he traveled to Puerto Rico, where he was defeated on January 13 by hometown boxer Wilfred Benítez via a controversial fifteen-round split decision. Referee Zach Clayton scored the fight 145–142 in Palomino's favor, but judges Jay Edson and Harry Gibbs disagreed. Edson scored the bout 146-142 for Benítez. Gibbs also scored for Benítez, 146–143. [19]

Palomino vs. Durán

In his next fight, Palomino met legendary Roberto Durán on June 22 of that year at Madison Square Gardens, in another nationally televised bout, as part of the Larry HolmesMike Weaver world Heavyweight championship bout's undercard. Palomino lost to Duran by decision in ten rounds, and he announced his retirement from boxing right away. [20]

Boxing comeback

Palomino began his comeback on January 10, 1997, beating Ismaél Díaz by a knockout in round nine. He won four fights that year, including one over former world champion Rene Arredondo, but when he lost by decision in ten to former Oscar De La Hoya world title challenger Wilfredo Rivera on May 30, 1998, he decided to retire for good, and has stayed in retirement ever since. [21]

After boxing

Acting career

In 1978 while still the WBC Welterweight Champion, Palomino appeared as 'Carlos Navarone' in the ABC sitcom Taxi . Appearing in the second episode of the opening season ("One-Punch Banta"), he spars with Tony Banta (Tony Danza – himself a former professional boxer with a 9–3 record) and takes a dive. Palomino accidentally hits Danza for real during one scene. [22] Palomino appears as himself in an episode of "The White Shadow" in 1979. In 1980, Miller Lite beer signed Palomino as a spokesman as part of a television commercial campaign that also included Walt Frazier and other noted athletes. As a consequence of the enjoyable experience and the media exposure that followed, he decided to launch a career as an actor. [23] He participated in a number of movies and television series, before deciding to launch a boxing comeback at the age of 48, in 1997. [24]

Palomino appeared on Star Trek: Voyager episode "The Fight". This episode was original aired on March 24, 1999.

Palomino was elected as chairman of the California State Athletic Commission, where he performed for a few years. He is now involved in charity work, most notably Tony Baltazar's charity organization, and he travels around the United States to attend charity events and do autograph shows. [25]

IBHF

Palomino was selected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on January 8, 2004. He was inducted on June 13. [26]

Personal life

On March 14, 1980, his younger brother, Paul Palomino – a member of the U.S. boxing team en route to Poland for a competition – was killed in the crash of LOT Polish Airlines Flight 007. [27]

On December 19, 2008, Palomino's girlfriend, Daliene Ingram, was featured in an episode of Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? . Her daughter Alexa, a fifth grader, was the extra classmate at the Mystery Desk for the occasion. [28]

Professional boxing record

38 fights31 wins4 losses
By knockout190
By decision124
Draws3
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
38Loss31–4–3 Wilfredo Rivera UD10May 30, 1998Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
37Win31–3–3Eric Ramon VazquezKO9 (10)Oct 26, 1997Bakersfield, California, U.S.
36Win30–3–3 René Arredondo KO1 (10)Jun 08, 1997Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
35Win29–3–3Wilbur GarstKO2 (?)May 9, 1997Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
34Win28–3–3Ismael DiazRTD8 (10)Jan 10, 1997 Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
33Loss27–3–3 Roberto Durán UD10Jun 22, 1979 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
32Loss27–2–3 Wilfred Benítez SD15Jan 14, 1979 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoLost WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
31Win27–1–3 Armando Muñíz UD15May 27, 1978Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
30Win26–1–3Mimoun MohatarTKO9 (15)Mar 18, 1978 The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
29Win25–1–3Ryu SorimachiKO7 (15)Feb 11, 1978 Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
28Win24–1–3Jose PalaciosKO13 (15)Dec 10, 1977Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
27Win23–1–3 Everaldo Costa Azevedo UD15Sep 13, 1977Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
26Win22–1–3 Dave Boy Green KO11 (15)Jun 14, 1977Empire Pool, London, England, U.K.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
25Win21–1–3 Armando Muñíz TKO15 (15)Jan 21, 1977Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
24Win20–1–3 John H. Stracey TKO12 (15)Jun 22, 1976 Empire Pool, London, England, U.K.Won WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
23Win19–1–3Toshiharu NambuTKO2 (10)Apr 29, 1976Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
22Win18–1–3Mike AvansUD10Feb 12, 1976Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
21Draw17–1–3 Hedgemon Lewis MD10Nov 11, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
20Win17–1–2Eddie AlexanderTKO5 (10)Oct 25, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
19Win16–1–2Johnny PinedoKO2 (10)Jul 19, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
18Win15–1–2Roger BuckskinUD10May 22, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
17Win14–1–2Zovek BarajasTKO9 (10)Mar 27, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
16Draw13–1–2Zovek BarajasMD10Feb 13, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
15Win13–1–1Tommy HowardUD10Dec 19, 1974Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
14Win12–1–1Jose MirandaKO6 (10)Oct 24, 1974Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
13Win11–1–1Nelson RuizTKO6 (10)Oct 10, 1974Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
12Loss10–1–1Andy PriceSD10Aug 02, 1974Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
11Win10–0–1David ArellanoKO9 (10)Jun 14, 1974Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Juan GarzaKO2 (8)May 23, 1974Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
9Win8–0–1David ArellanoPTS8May 3, 1974Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
8Win7–0–1Tommy CoulsonPTS6Apr 12, 1973Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
7Win6–0–1Lalo BarrientePTS6Mar 29, 1973Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6Win5–0–1Rosario ZavalaPTS6Mar 01, 1973Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
5Win4–0–1Ramon SolitaroKO3 (6)Feb 01, 1973Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
4Win3–0–1Tim WalkerPTS6Jan 19, 1973Arena, San Bernardino, California, U.S.
3Draw2–0–1Ted LiggettPTS4Nov 16, 1972Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
2Win2–0Javier MartinezPTS4Oct 05, 1972Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
1Win1–0Javier MartinezPTS4Sep 14, 1972 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilfred Benítez</span> Puerto Rican boxer (born 1958)

Wilfred "Wilfredo" Benítez is an American-born Puerto Rican former professional boxer and the youngest world champion in the sport's history. Earning his first of three career world titles in separate weight divisions at the age of seventeen, he is best remembered as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities, along with his fights with Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez</span> Mexican boxer (born 1962)

Julio César Chávez González, also known as Julio César Chávez Sr., is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2005. A multiple-time world champion in three weight divisions, Chávez was listed by The Ring magazine as the world's best boxer, pound for pound, from 1990 to 1993. During his career he held the WBC super featherweight title from 1984 to 1987, the WBA and WBC lightweight titles between 1987 and 1989, the WBC light welterweight title twice between 1989 and 1996, and the IBF light welterweight title from 1990 to 1991. He also held the Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles from 1988 to 1989, and the lineal light welterweight title twice between 1990 and 1996. Chávez was named Fighter of the Year for 1987 and 1990 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Ortiz (boxer)</span> Puerto Rican boxer (1936–2022)

Carlos Ortiz was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He held world titles in lightweight and light welterweight weight divisions. Along with Félix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, Wilfredo Gómez, Héctor Camacho, José Torres, Edwin Rosario and Wilfred Benítez, Ortiz is considered among the best Puerto Rican boxers of all time by sports journalists and analysts. As of January 2018, Ortiz holds the record for the most wins in unified lightweight title bouts in boxing history at 10.

Carlos Zárate Serna is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1970 to 1988, and held the WBC bantamweight title from 1976 to 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kid Gavilán</span> Cuban boxer

Gerardo González, better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a Cuban boxer. Gavilán was the former undisputed world welterweight champion from 1951 to 1954 having simultaneously held the NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring welterweight titles. The Boxing Writers Association of America named him Fighter of the Year in 1953. Gavilán was voted by The Ring magazine as the 26th greatest fighter of the last 80 years. Gavilán was a 1966 inductee to The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Nápoles</span> Cuban-born Mexican boxer (1940–2019)

José Ángel Nápoles was a Cuban-born Mexican professional boxer. He was a two-time undisputed welterweight champion, having held the WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles between 1969 and 1975. He is frequently ranked as one of the greatest fighters of all time in that division and is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. His record of the most wins in unified championship bouts in boxing history, shared with Muhammad Ali, was unbeaten for 40 years. After debuting professionally in Cuba, he fought out of Mexico and became a Mexican citizen.

Antonio Cervantes is a Colombian boxing trainer and former professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1983. He held the WBA and The Ring light welterweight title twice between 1972 and 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boxing in the 1980s</span> Overview of boxing in the 1980s

Boxing in the 1980s was filled with important fights, events and personalities that shaped the sport. Boxing in the 1980s was shaped by many different situations, such as the continuous corporate battles between the different world sanctioning organizations, the void left by Muhammad Ali as the sport's ambassador and consequent search for a new boxing hero, the continuous presence of Don King as the sport's most famous promoter, the surge of rival promoters as Bob Arum, Butch Lewis and Murad Muhammad, and major rule changes. In 1986, Mike Tyson emerged as a fresh new face in the heavyweight division, which had seen a decline in champion quality level after Ali's retirement and, later on, after longtime WBC ruler Larry Holmes' prime. In addition, the IBF and WBO began operating.

During the 1970s, boxing was characterized by dominating champions and history-making rivalries. The decade had many superstars, who also had fierce rivals. Alexis Argüello, for example, who won the world Featherweight and Jr. Lightweight titles in the '70s, had to overcome Alfredo Escalera twice before the decade was over.

John Henry Stracey MBE is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1969 to 1978. He is a former welterweight world champion, having held the WBC and lineal welterweight titles between 1975 and 1976. At regional level, he held the British and European welterweight titles between 1973 and 1975, and is ranked by BoxRec as the 8th best British welterweight of all time.

David Robert Green, better known as Dave Boy Green, is a former British professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1981. He challenged twice for the WBC welterweight title; first in 1977 against Carlos Palomino and again in 1980 against Sugar Ray Leonard. At regional level, he held the British and European super-lightweight titles in 1976, becoming the first British fighter to hold the latter, and the European welterweight title in 1979.

José Carlos Ramírez is an American professional boxer. He is a former unified champion at light welterweight, having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) title from 2018 to 2021 and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title from 2019 to 2021. As an amateur he represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics. As of June 2020, he is ranked as the world's second best active light welterweight by The Ring and BoxRec, and third by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Armando Muñíz is a Mexican-born American former professional boxer and former NABF welterweight Champion. Muñiz was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic boxing team.

Clyde Gray is a Canadian professional welter/light middle/middleweight boxer of the 1960s, '70s and '80s who won the Canada welterweight title, and Commonwealth welterweight title, and was a challenger for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title against Armando Muñíz, and Pete Ranzany, World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title against José Nápoles, and World Boxing Association (WBA) World welterweight title against José Nápoles, Ángel Espada, and José "Pipino" Cuevas, his professional fighting weight varied from 144 lb, i.e. welterweight to 155+12 lb, i.e. middleweight, he was managed by Irving Ungerman, and trained by Teddy McWhorter and Lee Black.

Everaldo Costa Azevedo is a Brazilian former professional boxer who competed from 1963 to 1982. Azevedo was ranked as the best Junior Welterweight in the world by the WBA in 1974 and No. 2 in the world by the WBC in 1972. Azevedo would fight for the World Title twice in his career. His first world title challenge came in 1972 when he lost a 15-round decision to the champion Bruno Arcari. The second world title fight Azevedo lost a controversial 15-round decision to Carlos Palomino. Azevedo was winning after the first 10 rounds and Palomino had only won the last five rounds.

Tomas Molinares is a Colombian retired boxer and former WBA welterweight champion of the world. He is remembered mostly for his fight with Marlon Starling and the controversial way in which it ended. Behind on the scorecards, Molinares launched a punch that knocked Starling out, but the punch seemingly landed just after the bell to end round six rang. Viewings of the fight's video, both by officials during a WBA inquest right after the bout and on YouTube showings, prove and have proven inconclusive as far as whether Molinares threw the punch in time or not.

Wilfredo Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who fought three times for world titles, losing to Pernell Whitaker twice and to Oscar De La Hoya.

Anthony Perez was an American boxing referee and judge of Puerto Rican descent. During his career, he refereed many major boxing fights and participated in a number of boxing related documentaries.

Jaron Ennis is an American professional boxer who has held the IBF welterweight title since 2023. As an amateur, he won a silver and gold medal at the U.S. National Golden Gloves Championships in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Larry Hazzard Sr. is a former amateur boxer, boxing referee, athletic control board commissioner, teacher and actor. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, being inducted during 2010. Hazzard has served as Commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board since 2014, his second stint as commissioner after serving from 1985 to 2007.

References

  1. "Carlos Palomino – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. May 4, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  2. "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  3. "Hall of Fame Profile: Carlos Palomino – Ring TV". Ringtv.craveonline.com. June 14, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  4. Nadel, John (January 9, 2004). "Carlos Palomino Facing Long Odds in Comeback". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  5. "Los inmortales del boxeo mexicano – Más Deportes". mediotiempo.com. June 13, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  6. Putnam, Pat (January 22, 1979). "He was behind on points after 13 rounds, and when WBC – 01.22.79 – SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  7. "RSR Brings that '70s Show with Former WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Palomino Part I". Ringside Report. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  8. Foster, Chris (January 2, 1988). "Making a Name for Himself : Carlos Palomino Jr. Takes His Best Shots on the Basketball Court, Not in the Boxing Ring – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  9. "Opiniones de carlos palomino boxeador". Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  10. "Carlos Palomino joins CMXsports team". Eastsideboxing.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  11. "ESPN Deportes: null: Carlos Palomino". Espndeportes.espn.go.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  12. "It's Never Too late for John Stracey vs. Carlos Palomino 2! – Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. July 3, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  13. Crowe, Jerry (February 16, 2009). "Boxers took their rivalry to a higher degree". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  14. "Carlos Palomino vs. Armando Muniz (1st meeting) – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  15. "Interview with Armando Muniz – On Pacquiao vs Mayweather Prediction, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales, Shane Mosley, Israel Vasquez, Robbery and much More". Doghouseboxing.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  16. "Biografia de Armando Muñiz". Deporteshoy.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  17. "Palomino, Lopez keep WBC Titles". Daily Press. Associated Press. September 14, 1977.
  18. "Carlos Palomino: The Best I Faced – Ring TV". Ringtv.craveonline.com. January 23, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  19. "Carlos Palomino vs. Wilfred Benitez – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  20. "Roberto Duran vs. Carlos Palomino – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  21. "Mexican Boxing Legend Carlos Palomino In Profile : Idaho – Business and Finance". Idahoagbell.org. July 1, 2010. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  22. Lovece with Jules Franco, Frank (1988). Hailing Taxi: The Official Book of the Show (First ed.). New York: Prentice Hall Press. pp. 108–109. ISBN   0-13-372103-5.
  23. "Account Suspended". Aftermissjulie.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  24. "Where Are They Now? Ex-Champion Carlos Palomino". Ringtalk. February 6, 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  25. "Carlos Palomino and Allias Aguilar". BoxingSocialist.com. May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  26. "Carlos Palomino". Ibhof.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  27. U.S. Ring World Mourns Crash Deaths (UPI,) The Indianapolis Star, March 15, 1980, p. 31.
  28. "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? – Season 3, Episode 16: Episode 238". TV.com. December 19, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Sugar Ray Seales
U.S. light welterweight champion
1972
Next:
Randy Shields
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC welterweight champion
June 22, 1976 - January 14, 1979
Succeeded by
The Ring welterweight champion
June 22, 1976 - January 14, 1979