Luis Manuel Rodríguez

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.

Luis Manuel Rodríguez
Rodríguez (right) vs. Nino Benvenuti in 1969
Statistics
Real nameLuis Manuel Rodríguez
Nickname(s)El Feo
Weight(s)
NationalityCuban
Born(1937-06-17)17 June 1937
Camagüey, Cuba
Died8 July 1996(1996-07-08) (aged 59)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights121
Wins107
Wins by KO49
Losses13
No contests1

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3]

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.[4]

Rodriguez retired in 1972.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] 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

Professional record summary
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, time Date Location Notes
121 Loss 107–13 (1) Donato Paduano SD 10 Apr 12, 1971 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal
120 Loss 107–12 (1) Mike Lankester MD 10 Mar 16, 1971 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle
119 Win 107–11 (1) Dave Hilton UD 10 Nov 30, 1971 Convention Center, Miami Beach
118 Win 106–11 (1) Mike Padgett KO 2 (10) Nov 01, 1971 Lander College Athletic Gym, Greenwood
117 Loss 105–11 (1) Rafael Gutierrez TKO 6 (10) Aug 03, 1971 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
116 Loss 105–10 (1) Bunny Sterling PTS 10 May 25, 1971 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
115 Win 105–9 (1) Tony Mundine KO 1 (10) Aug 07, 1971 North Melbourne Oval, Melbourne
114 Win 104–9 (1) Bobby Cassidy SD 10 Jan 26, 1971 Auditorium, Miami Beach
113 Win 103–9 (1) J C Ponder KO 5 (10) Dec 01, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
112 Win 102–9 (1) Jose Gonzalez UD 12 Sep 24, 1970 Convention Center, Miami Beach
111 Win 101–9 (1) Fraser Scott MD 10 Aug 20, 1970 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle
110 Loss 100–9 (1) Jose Gonzalez PTS 10 Jul 31, 1970 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
109 Win 100–8 (1) Baby Boy Rolle TKO 5 (10) Jun 27, 1970 Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove
108 Win 99–8 (1) Willie Warren UD 10 Apr 14, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
107 Win 98–8 (1) Joe Cokes TKO 4 (10) Mar 17, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
106 Win 97–8 (1) Porter Rolle KO 4 (10) Feb 10, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
105 Loss 96–8 (1) Nino Benvenuti KO 11 (15) Nov 22, 1969 Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
104 Win 96–7 (1) Tom Bethea UD 10 Sep 23, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
103 Win 95–7 (1) David Beckles TKO 2 (10) Aug 12, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
102 Win 94–7 (1) Eddie Owens KO 7 (10) Jul 08, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
101 Win 93–7 (1) Rafael Gutierrez TKO 6 (12) Mar 31, 1969 Sports Arena, San Diego
100 Win 92–7 (1) Bobby Williams TKO 7 (10) Feb 20, 1969 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa
99 Win 91–7 (1) Doug Huntley UD 10 Jan 21, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
98 Win 90–7 (1) Joe Shaw UD 10 Nov 15, 1968 Madison Square Garden, New York
97 Win 89–7 (1) Rudy Rodriguez TKO 4 (10) Sep 04, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
96 Win 88–7 (1) Vicente Rondón UD 10 Jul 18, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
95 Loss 87–7 (1) Vicente Rondón UD 10 Jun 03, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
94 Win 87–6 (1) Ted Wright UD 10 May 05, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach
93 Win 86–6 (1) Carl Moore UD 10 Mar 26, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach
92 Win 85–6 (1) Charley Austin TKO 6 (10) Feb 06, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach
91 Win 84–6 (1) Bennie Briscoe UD 10 Dec 15, 1967 Madison Square Garden, New York
90 Win 83–6 (1) Candy McFarland PTS 10 Nov 16, 1967 Maracaibo
89 Win 82–6 (1) Percy Manning TKO 1 (10) Nov 06, 1967 Nuevo Circo, Caracas
88 Win 81–6 (1) Phil Robinson KO 3 (10) Sep 29, 1967 Caracas
87 Win 80–6 (1) Ferd Hernandez UD 10 Sep 07, 1967 Coliseum Arena, Oakland
86 Win 79–6 (1) Jimmy Lester UD 10 Jun 28, 1967 Coliseum Arena, Oakland
85 Win 78–6 (1) Juan Carlos Rivero UD 10 Jun 04, 1967 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
84 Win 77–6 (1) Bennie Briscoe UD 10 Mar 20, 1967 Arena, Philadelphia
83 Win 76–6 (1) Esteban Alfredo Osuna PTS 10 Feb 18, 1967 Rosario
82 Win 75–6 (1) Manuel Alvarez KO 8 (10) Jan 20, 1967 Club Atletico Quilmes, Mar del Plata
81 Win 74–6 (1) Ruben Orrico TKO 4 (10) Sep 24, 1966 Rosario
80 Win 73–6 (1) Juarez de Lima KO 3 (10) Sep 09, 1966 Estadio Norte, Rosario
79 Loss 72–6 (1) Curtis Cokes TKO 15 (15) Jul 06, 1966 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans
78 Win 72–5 (1) Tommy Caldwell TKO 2 (10) May 07, 1966 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
77 Loss 71–5 (1) Percy Manning SD 10 Apr 11, 1966 Arena, Philadelphia
76 Win 71–4 (1) George Benton TKO 9 (10) Mar 07, 1966 Arena, Philadelphia
75 Win 70–4 (1) Joey Limas TKO 4 (10) Jan 25, 1966 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
74 Win 69–4 (1) Fred McWilliams TKO 9 (10) Jan 18, 1966 Sportatorium, Phoenix
73 Win 68–4 (1) Joe Louis Murphy KO 4 (10) Dec 20, 1965 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
72 Win 67–4 (1) Eddie Pace UD 10 Dec 02, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
71 Win 66–4 (1) Cecil Mott TKO 4 (10) Nov 16, 1965 Auditorium, Miami Beach
70 Win 65–4 (1) Johnny Morris TKO 2 (10) Oct 04, 1965 Arena, Philadelphia
69 Win 64–4 (1) Rubin Carter UD 10 Aug 26, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
68 Win 63–4 (1) Charley Austin UD 10 Aug 03, 1965 Sportatorium, Phoenix
67 Win 62–4 (1) Jose Assuncao UD 10 Jul 26, 1965 Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas
66 Win 61–4 (1) Memo Ayon RTD 3 (10) Jul 16, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
65 Win 60–4 (1) Rip Randall UD 10 Apr 21, 1965 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa
64 Win 59–4 (1) John Henry Smith KO 10 (10) Mar 26, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
63 Win 58–4 (1) Rubin Carter UD 10 Feb 12, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York
62 Win 57–4 (1) LC Morgan KO 2 (10) Nov 14, 1964 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City
61 Loss 56–4 (1) Emile Griffith SD 15 Jun 12, 1964 Auditorium, Miami Beach For WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
60 Win 56–3 (1) Jesse Smith UD 10 Apr 04, 1964 Auditorium, Miami Beach
59 Win 55–3 (1) Holley Mims UD 10 Mar 20, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York
58 Win 54–3 (1) Wilbert McClure UD 10 Dec 27, 1963 Auditorium, Miami Beach
57 Win 53–3 (1) Wilbert McClure UD 10 Oct 18, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York
56 Win 52–3 (1) Denny Moyer TKO 9 (10) Aug 17, 1963 Convention Center, Miami Beach
55 Loss 51–3 (1) Emile Griffith SD 15 Jun 08, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring, welterweight titles
54 Win 51–2 (1) Emile Griffith UD 15 Mar 21, 1963 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
53 Win 50–2 (1) Joey Giambra UD 10 Jan 19, 1963 Auditorium, Miami Beach
52 Win 49–2 (1) Mel Collins UD 10 Dec 12, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach
51 Win 48–2 (1) Santiago Gutierrez TKO 3 (10) Nov 06, 1962 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio
50 Win 47–2 (1) Ernest Burford TKO 7 (10) Aug 29, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach
49 Win 46–2 (1) Gene Armstrong TKO 8 (10) Jun 03, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York
48 Win 45–2 (1) Yama Bahama TKO 3 (10) May 05, 1962 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
47 Win 44–2 (1) Ricardo Falech TKO 3 (10) Mar 17, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach
46 Win 43–2 (1) Luis Federico Thompson UD 10 Jan 27, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York
45 Win 42–2 (1) Curtis Cokes UD 10 Dec 02, 1961 Convention Center, Miami Beach
44 Win 41–2 (1) Jose Gonzalez TKO 7 (10) Oct 24, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach
43 Win 40–2 (1) Guy Sumlin TKO 5 (10) Sep 13, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach
42 Loss 39–2 (1) Curtis Cokes SD 10 Aug 03, 1961 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
41 Win 39–1 (1) Alfredo Cota KO 4 (10) May 13, 1961 Arena Mexico, Guadalajara
40 Win 38–1 (1) Alvaro Gutierrez TKO 5 (10) Apr 15, 1961 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
39 Win 37–1 (1) Johnny Gonsalves UD 10 Mar 22, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland
38 Win 36–1 (1) Lyle Mackin TKO 5 (10) Feb 21, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland
37 Loss 35–1 (1) Emile Griffith SD 10 Dec 17, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York
36 Win 35–0 (1) Johnny Gonsalves UD 10 Nov 28, 1960 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
35 Win 34–0 (1) Yama Bahama MD 10 Nov 16, 1960 Auditorium, Miami Beach
34 Win 33–0 (1) Mel Collins UD 10 Oct 24, 1960 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa
33 Win 32–0 (1) Basil Campbell KO 5 (10) Aug 17, 1960 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
32 Win 31–0 (1) Virgil Akins UD 10 Jul 06, 1960 Freedom Hall, Louisville
31 Win 30–0 (1) Alfredo Cota KO 2 (10) May 26, 1960 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
30 Win 29–0 (1) Alvaro Gutierrez TKO 4 (12) Apr 07, 1960 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
29 Win 28–0 (1) Chico Vejar UD 10 May 02, 1960 Auditorium, Miami Beach
28 Win 27–0 (1) Carl Hubbard KO 4 (10) Feb 10, 1960 Convention Center, Miami Beach
27 Win 26–0 (1) Garnet Hart UD 10 Dec 23, 1959 Auditorium, Miami Beach
26 Win 25–0 (1) Isaac Logart UD 10 Oct 21, 1959 Auditorium, Miami Beach
25 Win 24–0 (1) Larry Baker UD 10 Oct 03, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
24 Win 23–0 (1) Rudell Stitch SD 10 Aug 26, 1959 State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Louisville
23 Win 22–0 (1) Virgil Akins UD 10 Jun 17, 1959 Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach
22 Win 21–0 (1) Cecil Shorts KO 9 (10) May 09, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
21 Win 20–0 (1) Joe Miceli TKO 5 (10) Feb 21, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
20 Win 19–0 (1) Juan Padilla PTS 10 Nov 22, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
19 Win 18–0 (1) Kid Fichique UD 12 Sep 20, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
18 Win 17–0 (1) Benny Paret SD 10 Aug 09, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
17 Win 16–0 (1) Charley Scott KO 9 (10) Jul 26, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
16 Win 15–0 (1) Tony Armenteros PTS 10 Apr 19, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
15 Win 14–0 (1) Rolando Rodriguez KO 4 (10) Mar 29, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
14 Win 13–0 (1) Benny Paret UD 10 Feb 08, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
13 Win 12–0 (1) Rolando Rodriguez PTS 8 Nov 16, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
12 Win 11–0 (1) Gomeo Brennan PTS 8 Sep 28, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
11 Win 10–0 (1) Guillermo Diaz DQ 6 (8) Jul 20, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
10 Win 9–0 (1) Guillermo Diaz PTS 6 Jun 22, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
9 Win 8–0 (1) Vicente Reyes PTS 6 May 18, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
8 Win 7–0 (1) Vicente Reyes PTS 6 Mar 23, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
7 Win 6–0 (1) Guillermo Diaz PTS 6 Feb 16, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
6 Win 5–0 (1) Jose Hernandez KO 5 (6) Jan 12, 1957 Arena Trejo, Havana
5 NC 4–0 (1) Jose Hernandez NC 2 (6) Dec 15, 1956 Arena Trejo, Havana Bout suspended by rain downpour
4 Win 4–0 Pablo Cardenas TKO 2 (6) Nov 24, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
3 Win 3–0 Julian Yanez PTS 4 Oct 20, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
2 Win 2–0 Vicente Reyes PTS 4 Jul 21, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
1 Win 1–0 Lazaro Hernandez Kessell KO 3 (4) Jun 02, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana

See also

  • List of welterweight boxing champions

References

Achievements
Preceded by
Emile Griffith
WBA Welterweight Champion
WBC Welterweight Champion

1963 Mar 21 – 1963 Jun 8
Succeeded by
Emile Griffith
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