Lupe Pintor

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Lupe Pintor
Born
José Guadalupe Pintor Guzmán

(1955-04-13) April 13, 1955 (age 69)
Cuajimalpa, Mexico City, Mexico
Other namesEl Grillo de Cuajimalpa
("The Cuajimalpa Cricket")
El Indio
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 4+1⁄2 in (164 cm) [1]
Reach66 in (168 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights72
Wins56
Wins by KO42
Losses14
Draws2

José Guadalupe Pintor Guzmán (born April 13, 1955), better known as Lupe Pintor, is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1995. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC bantamweight title from 1979 to 1983 and the WBC super bantamweight title from 1985 to 1986.

Contents

Early life and his career

Lupe Pintor was born into a poor, working-class family in Cuajimalpa, just outside Mexico City in 1955 and is alleged to have had an extremely violent relationship with his father, eventually forcing him to run away. He lived for some time on the city streets and began boxing professionally in 1974.

He opened his account with a second-round knockout of Manuel Vázquez and immediately stepped up to ten round bouts, claiming a decision over Francisco Nunez on his next outing. He suffered his first loss three fights later, when he was disqualified against Magarito Lozano, but claimed victory in his next eight bouts, seven by knockout, including wins over notables Juan Díaz, Rocky Mijares and Willie Jespen.

Pintor first boxed future World Bantamweight Champion Alberto Davila on 25 February 1976, losing a decision over ten rounds, then embarked on a winning streak of some twenty-two fights in a row. Amongst the fighters he beat during this period were Gerald Hayes – who later conquered Juan Laporte – and Antonio Becerra, the only man to get the better of Salvador Sánchez as a professional boxer.

He then travelled to Puerto Rico, where he lost a ten-round decision to Leo Cruz – himself a future world champion. Upon returning to Mexico, Pintor lost for the second time in a row, carelessly dropping a decision to journeyman Jose Luis Soto. Another winning streak, comprising five fights in a row, all by way of knockout and he was ready for a shot at the world title.

World championships

Carlos Zarate was Pintor's stable mate and a fellow Mexican. He was an outstanding champion and continues to be rated one of the very best of all Bantamweights. The records, however, show that Pintor edged a very close and controversial split decision, following a remarkable contest that saw him hit the canvas in round four. But the judges were so at variance when recording their verdict, that (like already stated) the contest remains a matter of controversy today. Naturally, the new world champion's relationship with Zarate – already strained – took another hit and Zarate retired in disgust.

Pintor was a busy champion and he began his reign by engaging in three non-title bouts, beating Aucencio Melendez by a knockout in the first and avenging his loss to Jose Luis Soto before losing a rematch with Manuel Vázquez by a knockout in six. Then he began to defend his title in earnest, retaining it with a knockout in twelve over Alberto Sandoval in Los Angeles and drawing over fifteen with Eijiro Murata in Tokyo.

His next bout ended tragically. He defended against Johnny Owen of Wales in Los Angeles. Many of the fans present and the authors of The Ring's Boxing in The 20th Century, have agreed that the fight should have been stopped during round ten. But it carried on until the close of the twelfth, when Pintor unleashed a savage right-hand, knocking his opponent out cold. Owen failed to regain consciousness, lapsed into a coma and died seven weeks later. This fight was documented in the film Faces of Death II .

Saddened, Pintor – encouraged by Owen's family – resumed his career by avenging his loss to Davila, retaining the title by unanimous decision. He went on to retain the belt against Jose Uziga – again by decision – and Jovito Rengifo, by a knockout in eight. He stopped Hurricane Teru in the fifteenth and final round to close 1981 and began 1982, by retaining the title against Seung-Hoon Lee with an eleventh-round knockout.

Soon after the Lee fight, Pintor vacated his world title and started eyeing the WBC Super Bantamweight crown worn by the great Wilfredo Gómez. Stepping up, he immediately beat former WBA World Bantamweight Champion Jorge Luján and then, on 3 December of that year, he and Gómez met as part of the Carnival of Champions in New Orleans. Showcased on HBO, this duel was subsequently dubbed the division's 'Fight of The Decade' by The Ring magazine. But it did not go Pintor's way. Gómez recorded a fourteenth-round knockout and relinquished his own title five months later.

Pintor was inactive throughout 1983. He returned to the ring a year-and-a-half later as a fully-fledged Super Bantamweight defeating Ruben Solorio on 16 February 1984 and busied himself thereafter trying to get another shot at the world title. his perseverance paid off when he was pitted against Juan 'Kid' Meza, the WBC's Super Bantamweight Champion on 18 August 1985. Pintor floored the defending champion three times on the way to collecting a unanimous decision and celebrated his new status as a double world title holder.

His first defense of this new crown did not go to plan. Traveling to Bangkok to meet Samart Payakaroon, Pintor exceeded the division weight limit and was subsequently stripped of his title at the scales. Payakaroon could still become champion if he defeated Pintor but if Pintor won the title would be declared vacant. Payakaroon pounded Pintor to defeat in five rounds and the ex-champion quit fighting for the next eight years.

Pintor made a comeback of sorts in 1994, but at the comparatively advanced age of thirty-eight, he was long past his best. Winning just twice in seven contests over the next eighteen months, he was finally convinced that it was time to retire.

Honors

Pintor was named The Ring magazine Comeback of the Year fighter for 1985.

After boxing

Pintor opened a boxing school in Mexico City. In 2002, he was invited to Merthyr Tydfil by Johnny Owen's family to help unveil a bronze statue commemorating the boxer's life and career. [2]

In 2008, Pintor reunited with Carlos Zarate and joined Juan Laporte as the three former victims of Wilfredo Gómez showed up at a party dedicated to Gómez for his fiftieth birthday in Puerto Rico.

Pintor, along with Hector Camacho, Hilario Zapata, and several non-boxers, was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in December 2015 and inducted in June 2016. [3]

Professional boxing record

72 fights56 wins14 losses
By knockout427
By decision146
By disqualification01
Draws2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
72Loss56–14–2Russell MosleyKO2 (10)Jul 21, 1995Tijuana, Mexico
71Loss56–13–2Rodrigo CerdaPTS10Dec 2, 1994Houston, Texas, US
70Win56–12–2Kevin SedamTKO1 (10), 2:56Nov 18, 1994 International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, US
69Loss55–12–2Leonardo MasRTD8 (12)Aug 13, 1994Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USFor WBC FECARBOX super lightweight title
68Loss55–11–2Fernando CaicedoUD12Apr 2, 1994Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USFor WBC FECARBOX lightweight title
67Loss55–10–2Ramon SanchezPTS10Feb 25, 1994Mexico
66Win55–9–2Carmelo GomezPTS10Jan 14, 1994Tijuana, Mexico
65Loss54–9–2 Samart Payakaroon KO5 (12), 1:31Jan 18, 1986 Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand

WBC super bantamweight title at stake only for Payakaroon,Pintor missed weight

64Loss54–8–2Billy WhiteTKO10 (?)Dec 12, 1985Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
63Win54–7–2 Juan Meza UD12Aug 18, 1985 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, MexicoWon WBC super bantamweight title
62Draw53–7–2Javier MarquezSD10Jun 10, 1985Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico
61Win53–7–1Eugenio MorganTKO2 (10), 2:37Apr 19, 1985Forum, Inglewood, California, US
60Loss52–7–1Adriano ArreolaTKO7 (10), 3:00Jan 17, 1985Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
59Win52–6–1Ronnie GaryTKO6 (10), 0:47Jan 1, 1985 Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico
58Win51–6–1Cleo GarciaKO1 (10), 3:00Apr 26, 1984Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
57Win50–6–1Ruben SolorioUD10Feb 16, 1984Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
56Loss49–6–1 Wilfredo Gómez TKO14 (15), 2:44Dec 3, 1982 Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, USFor WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles
55Win49–5–1 Jorge Luján UD10Sep 23, 1982Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
54Win48–5–1 Lee Seung-hoon TKO11 (15), 0:43Jun 3, 1982Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USRetained WBC bantamweight title
53Win47–5–1Hurricane TeruKO15 (15), 2:02Sep 22, 1981 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, JapanRetained WBC bantamweight title
52Win46–5–1 Jovito Rengifo TKO8 (15), 1:21Jul 26, 1981 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USRetained WBC bantamweight title
51Win45–5–1Jose Felix UzigaUD15Feb 22, 1981Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USRetained WBC bantamweight title
50Win44–5–1 Alberto Dávila MD15Dec 19, 1980Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, USRetained WBC bantamweight title
49Win43–5–1 Johnny Owen KO12 (15), 2:35Sep 19, 1980Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USRetained WBC bantamweight title;
Owen died of injuries sustained from the fight. [4]
48Draw42–5–1Eijiro MurataSD15Jun 11, 1980 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBC bantamweight title
47Win42–5 Alberto Sandoval TKO12 (15)Feb 9, 1980 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USRetained WBC bantamweight title
46Loss41–5Manuel VazquezRTD5 (10), 3:00Dec 29, 1979 Gimnasio del Estado, Hermosillo, Mexico
45Win41–4Jose Luis SotoPTS10Oct 29, 1979 Ciudad Obregón, Mexico
44Win40–4Torito MelendezKO1 (?)Oct 5, 1979Reynosa, Mexico
43Win39–4 Carlos Zárate Serna SD15Jun 3, 1979 Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, USWon WBC bantamweight title
42Win38–4Rodrigo GonzalezTKO3 (10), 2:42May 1, 1979 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
41Win37–4Livio NolascoTKO6 (10), 2:16Mar 10, 1979Forum, Inglewood, California, US
40Win36–4Agustin VegaKO3 (?)Nov 11, 1978Matamoros, Mexico
39Win35–4Roger BuchelliKO2 (10), 2:59Sep 26, 1978Houston, Texas, US
38Win34–4Richard RozelleKO5 (10), 0:10Jul 18, 1978Civic Center, Houston, Texas, US
37Loss33–4Jose Luis SotoPTS10Jun 30, 1978Culiacán, Mexico
36Loss33–3 Leonardo Cruz PTS10Apr 22, 1978 Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico
35Win33–2Antonio BecerraPTS10Mar 31, 1978 Mazatlán, Mexico
34Win32–2Gerald HayesUD10Feb 25, 1978Forum, Inglewood, California, US
33Win31–2Davey VasquezKO2 (10), 2:05Jan 30, 1978Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
32Win30–2Joaquin GonzalezKO2 (10)Dec 18, 1977Auditorio Matamoros, Matamoros, Mexico
31Win29–2Baby Kid ChocolateKO2 (10), 2:58Nov 8, 1977Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
30Win28–2Tony RochaKO4 (10), 0:33Oct 8, 1977Forum, Inglewood, California, US
29Win27–2Andres TorresTKO4 (10), 0:59Aug 20, 1977Forum, Inglewood, California, US
28Win26–2Ramon GuillenKO1 (?)Jul 2, 1977Mexico City, Mexico
27Win25–2Eduardo LimonKO1 (?)Jun 17, 1977Reynosa, Mexico
26Win24–2Tranquita BrownKO1 (?)May 20, 1977 Ciudad Madera, Mexico
25Win23–2Gabby CanteraKO7 (?), 2:41Apr 12, 1977 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
24Win22–2Orlando AmoresKO1 (?)Mar 11, 1977Culiacán, Mexico
23Win21–2Evaristo PerezKO1 (?)Feb 26, 1977Mexico City, Mexico
22Win20–2Babe San MartinTKO7 (10)Jan 29, 1977 Reynosa, Mexico
21Win19–2Jose Angel CazaresKO1 (10)Jan 1, 1977Plaza de Toros, Torreón, Mexico
20Win18–2Nacho BeltranKO3 (?)Nov 13, 1976 Estadio General Ángel Flores, Culiacán, Mexico
19Win17–2Jose Antonio RosaTKO6 (10), 1:23Oct 2, 1976 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, US
18Win16–2Samuel MachorroPTS10Aug 1, 1976Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
17Win15–2Manuel KillerKO2 (10)Jun 26, 1976Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico
16Win14–2Gallito CastroKO1 (?)Jun 2, 1976Tijuana, Mexico
15Win13–2Jose Luis CruzTKO9 (10)Mar 27, 1976Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey, Mexico
14Loss12–2 Alberto Dávila UD10Feb 25, 1976Forum, Inglewood, California, US
13Win12–1Catalino FloresKO2 (10), 1:27Dec 4, 1975Forum, Inglewood, California, US
12Win11–1Alvaro LopezKO2 (10)Oct 11, 1975Auditorio Benito Juárez, Guadalajara, Mexico
11Win10–1Willie JensenKO7 (10), 0:58Sep 20, 1975 Forum, Inglewood, California, US
10Win9–1Roberto AlvarezKO1 (10)Jul 25, 1975Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Mexico
9Win8–1Rocky MijaresTKO6 (10)Apr 16, 1975Plaza de Toros, Torreón, Mexico
8Win7–1Andres ReyesPTS10Mar 10, 1975 Victoria de Durango, Mexico
7Win6–1Martin ValenciaKO6 (?)Feb 19, 1975Mexico City, Mexico
6Win5–1Juan DiazKO2 (10)Dec 21, 1974 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
5Loss4–1Magallo LozadaDQ4 (?)Oct 16, 1974Mexico City, Mexico
4Win4–0Salvador MartinezPTS10Sep 10, 1974 Mexico City, Mexico
3Win3–0Manuel CastanedasTKO4 (?)Jul 24, 1974Tijuana, Mexico
2Win2–0Francisco Javier NunezUD10May 7, 1974Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Mexico
1Win1–0Manuel VazquezKO2 (10)Mar 26, 1974Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Mexico

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Wilfredo Gomez fight.
  2. ↑ "Crowds remember boxing legend". 2 November 2002.
  3. ↑ "Hector 'Macho' Camacho highlights International Boxing Hall of Fame's Class of 2016". 16 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Johnny Owen - BoxRec".

Sources

(i) There are few online accounts of Pintor's upbringing. A sensitive description may however, be located here: . (ii) For an in-depth discussion of Pintor's controversial defeat of Carlos Zarate, see: . (iii) A ring report describing the Owen fight can be found here: . (iv) For more on Pintor's relationship with Johnny Owen's family, see: . (v) For a piece on Pintor's return fight with Albert Davila, go to Boxing Insider . (vi) Details of Pintor's ring record can be found at the Boxing Records Archive: .

Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC bantamweight champion
June 3, 1979 – July 9, 1983
Stripped		Vacant
Title next held by
Alberto Davila
Preceded by WBC super bantamweight champion
August 18, 1985 – January 18, 1986		Succeeded by
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