Víctor Galíndez

Víctor Emilio Galíndez (2 November 1948 in Vedia 25 October 1980 in Veinticinco de Mayo, Buenos Aires) was an Argentine boxer who was the third Latin American to win the world Light Heavyweight championship, after Puerto Rico's José Torres and Venezuela's Vicente Rondon.

Víctor Galíndez
Statistics
Real nameVíctor Emilio Galíndez
Nickname(s)El Leopardo de Morón
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Nationality Argentina
Born(1948-11-02)2 November 1948
Vedia, Buenos Aires
Died25 October 1980(1980-10-25) (aged 31)
25 de Mayo, Buenos Aires Province
Boxing record
Wins52
Wins by KO34
Losses9
Draws4

Galíndez was born in Vedia in the Leandro N. Alem Partido of the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina in 1948. He aspired to become both a boxer and a stock car pilot since an early age, but he was more interested in boxing. As an amateur, he compiled a winning record and participated in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where he lost in a preliminary round bout to Aldo Bentini of Italy. A year earlier he claimed the silver medal at the 1967 Pan American Games.

Galíndez then turned professional, and on 10 May 1969, he debuted as a paid fighter with a win over Ramon Ruiz by a knockout in four at Buenos Aires. After one more win, he faced Adolfo Cejas in Azul, Argentina, in a fight which resulted in a ten-round draw.

In 1970, Galíndez had 10 fights, a span during which he went 5-3-1, with one no contest. He suffered his first loss, at the hands of Juan Aguilar, by a decision in ten, and had a second and third fight with Aguilar, of which the second ended in a first round no contest, and the second in another Aguilar decision win. He began his five fight rivalry with Jorge Ahumada knocking Ahumada out in five rounds, and lost the Argentine Light Heavyweight title with a twelve-round decision defeat against Avenamar Peralta.

He and Peralta had an immediate, non-title rematch in 1971, and Galíndez won by a ten-round decision. 1971 was a year of rematches for Galíndez, the only new boxer he met that year being Pedro Rimovsky, and he too, had a rematch with Galíndez before that year was over. He lost to Ahumada in the second of the five fights between them, by a decision in Mendoza, Argentina, then beat him in fight three by a knockout in nine, and in fight four by a knockout in six, both the third and fourth fight being held in Buenos Aires. He and Rimovsky had a first round no contest in their first bout, and drew over the ten round distance in the rematch, and then Galíndez had two more fights with Peralta, losing by a knockout in nine and a decision in 10.

In 1973, Galíndez had eight fights, winning seven and drawing one. He was finally able to obtain Argentina's Light Heavyweight title, by beating Aguilar by a decision in twelve. He beat Aguilar once again, by a knockout in six, and he also beat Eddie Owens, Eddie Duncan and Raul Loyola, the latter being beaten twice, one time defending his Argentine title.

He began 1974 with a step up in class, meeting former world title challenger Ray Anderson, beating him by a knockout in two. After six more consecutive wins, he was given his first shot at a world title, facing Len Hutchins for the WBA's vacant world Light Heavyweight championship. Galíndez then joined Torres and Rondon as the only Hispanic Light Heavyweight world champions in history, and Carlos Monzón as the only Argentine world champions of that era, with a TKO of Hutchins in the thirteenth round to become the WBA's world Light Heavyweight champion.

Galíndez, who never fought outside Argentina before becoming a world champion, became a traveling fighter after that. After he beat Johnny Griffin in Buenos Aires by knockout in six in a non-title bout, it was off to South Africa, for his first international fight, which was, at the same time, his first world title defense. He beat Pierre Fourie there by a decision. Next was Las Vegas, for his first fight in the United States, another non title affair. He knocked out Ray Elson in eight there. Next stop was the Madison Square Garden in New York, where he and arch-rival Ahumada met for a fifth time, this time with the world title on the line. After beating Ahumada by a decision in 15, Galíndez returned to South Africa, where he once again beat Fourie by decision in 15.

1976 saw a trip to Norway, where he beat Harald Skog by a knockout in three to retain the title, and to Denmark, where he beat Jesse Burnett by a decision in ten in a non tite affair. Then came a third trip to South Africa, where he knocked out challenger Richie Kates in the 15th and last round, and, after a fight with Billy Douglas in Buenos Aires, (a win by decision in ten) he found himself in South Africa once again, where he beat Kosie Smith by a decision in fifteen to once again, retain the title.

After beginning 1977 by beating Guillermo Aquirrezabala by a knockout in four in Mendoza, he and Kates had a rematch in Rome, Italy, where Galíndez once again beat Kates by decision over 15. Next, the Argentine champion and challenger Yaqui López faced-off in a 15-round title bout, once again in Italy, and Galíndez retained the title by a decision in Rome. Galíndez' last fight of '77 took him to Italy for a third time, and he beat future world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (then Eddie Gregory) by a decision in fifteen.

In 1978, Galíndez went to Italy again, retaining the title with a fifteen-round decision in a rematch with Lopez, and then he made a series of non-title bouts in Argentina before he went on the road again, this time losing his title to Mike Rossman by a knockout in 13, in the same undercard where Muhammad Ali recovered the world Heavyweight title for the third time by beating Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

After his first fight in 1979, beating Roberto Aguilar by a knockout in six back home, he and Rossman were supposed to have a rematch in February of that year, but Galíndez refused to fight, arguing that the judges selected for the rematch would probably favor Rossman. However, the rematch did come off later that year, and Galíndez recovered the world championship, once again in New Orleans, knocking Rossman out in 10 rounds. This time, however, he wouldn't last long as king of the Light Heavyweights, and he lost the title in his first defense, by a knockout in 11 to Marvin Johnson, a boxer who would later join Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Carlos De León among others as one of the few boxers to be world champions three times in the same category. The fight with Johnson also took place in New Orleans.

After losing a rematch with Burnett in 1980 by a decision in twelve in Anaheim, California, Galíndez was forced to retire because of two operations to repair his detached retinas, and then he tried to pursue his other dream of becoming a stock-car race pilot. On 25 October of that year, he participated in what would be his first and last Turismo Carretera race. After going to the pit for repairs, Galíndez was struck by a car that lost control and killed instantly while in the waiting area.

He had a boxing record of 52 wins, 9 losses and 4 draws with 2 no contests, and 34 wins by knockout. He successfully defended the WBA world light heavyweight title ten times against seven boxers.

In 2002, Galíndez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.

Professional boxing record

55 Wins (34 knockouts, 21 decisions), 9 Losses (3 knockouts, 6 decisions), 4 Draws, 2 No Contests
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 54–9–4 (2) Jesse Burnett UD 12 14 June 1980 Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, California, United States
Loss 54–8–4 (2) Marvin Johnson KO 11 30 November 1979 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Lost WBA light heavyweight title
Win 55–7–4 (2) Mike Rossman RTD 9 14 April 1979 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Won WBA light heavyweight title
Win 54–7–4 (2) Roberto Gustavo Aguilar RTD 8 9 March 1979 San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
Loss 53–7–4 (2) Mike Rossman TKO 13 15 September 1978 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Lost WBA light heavyweight title
Win 53–6–4 (2) Marcos Antonio Tosto KO 6 19 August 1978 General Pico, Argentina
Win 52–6–4 (2) Waldemar de Oliveira KO 9 8 July 1978 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 51–6–4 (2) Juan Antonio Musladino KO 9 16 June 1978 Mendoza, Argentina
Win 50–6–4 (2) Yaqui Lopez UD 15 6 May 1978 La Bussola Teatro Tenda, Viareggio, Italy Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 49–6–4 (2) Ramon Reinaldo Cerrezuela PTS 10 8 April 1978 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 48–6–4 (2) Eddie Mustafa Muhammad UD 15 20 November 1977 Palazzo dello Sport di Parco Ruffini, Torino, Italy Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 47–6–4 (2) Yaqui Lopez UD 15 17 September 1977 Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome, Italy Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 46–6–4 (2) Richie Kates UD 15 18 June 1977 Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome, Italy Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 45–6–4 (2) Guillermo Aguirrezabala KO 4 6 April 1977 Mendoza, Argentina
Win 44–6–4 (2) Kosie Smith UD 15 5 October 1976 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 43–6–4 (2) Billy Douglas PTS 10 21 August 1976 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 42–6–4 (2) Richie Kates KO 15 22 May 1976 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 41–6–4 (2) Jesse Burnett SD 10 8 April 1976 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 40–6–4 (2) Harald Skog KO 3 28 March 1976 Ekeberg Hall, Oslo, Norway Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 39–6–4 (2) Pierre Fourie SD 15 13 September 1975 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 38–6–4 (2) Jorge Ahumada UD 15 30 June 1975 Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 37–6–4 (2) "Communist" Ray Elson TKO 8 16 May 1975 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, South Africa
Win 36–6–4 (2) Pierre Fourie UD 15 7 April 1975 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained WBA light heavyweight title
Win 35–6–4 (2) Johnny Griffin KO 6 15 February 1975 Balcarce, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Win 34–6–4 (2) Len Hutchins TKO 13 7 December 1974 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Won vacant WBA light heavyweight title
Win 33–6–4 (2) Domingo Silveira KO 4 5 October 1974 Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina
Win 32–6–4 (2) Angel Oquendo PTS 10 14 September 1974 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 31–6–4 (2) Domingo Silveira KO 5 1 September 1974 San Juan, La Rioja, Argentina
Win 30–6–4 (2) Domingo Silveira KO 4 12 July 1974 San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina
Win 29–6–4 (2) Jose Gonzalez PTS 10 8 June 1974 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 28–6–4 (2) Ruben Macario Gonzalez KO 3 5 April 1974 Rio Cuarto, Cordoba, Argentina
Win 27–6–4 (2) Ray Anderson KO 2 16 February 1974 Balcarce, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Win 26–6–4 (2) Eddie Duncan KO 2 8 December 1973 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 25–6–4 (2) Raul Arturo Loyola TKO 8 10 November 1973 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 24–6–4 (2) Raul Arturo Loyola PTS 12 7 September 1973 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina FAB Argentina Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 23–6–4 (2) Juan Aguilar KO 6 10 August 1973 San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
Win 22–6–4 (2) Karl Zurheide KO 2 14 July 1973 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 21–6–4 (2) Eddie Owens KO 3 12 May 1973 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 20–6–4 (2) Juan Aguilar PTS 12 14 April 1973 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina FAB Argentina Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 19–6–4 (2) Ruben Macario Gonzalez KO 3 29 January 1973 Salta, Argentina
Draw 18–6–4 (2) Juan Aguilar PTS 10 15 December 1972 Mendoza, Argentina
Win 18–6–3 (2) Oscar Wondryk KO 7 10 November 1972 Venado Tuerto, Argentina
Win 17–6–3 (2) Avenamar Peralta PTS 12 7 October 1972 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina South America Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 16–6–3 (2) Avenamar Peralta PTS 12 2 September 1972 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina FAB Argentina Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 15–6–3 (2) Adolfo Jorge Cardozo TKO 4 19 August 1972 Rosario Teatro Real, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Win 14–6–3 (2) Juan Aguilar PTS 12 22 July 1972 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina FAB Argentina Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 13–6–3 (2) Eddie Jones PTS 10 6 May 1972 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 12–6–3 (2) Carlos Santagada TKO 8 22 January 1972 Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Loss 11–6–3 (2) Avenamar Peralta PTS 10 18 December 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 11–5–3 (2) Juan Aguilar PTS 10 20 November 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 10–5–3 (2) Jorge Ahumada KO 6 30 October 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Loss 9–5–3 (2) Avenamar Peralta TKO 9 11 September 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 9–4–3 (2) Jorge Ahumada KO 9 31 July 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Draw 8–4–3 (2) Pedro Rimovsky PTS 10 12 June 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Loss 8–4–2 (2) Jorge Ahumada PTS 10 24 May 1971 Mendoza, Argentina
NC 8–3–2 (2) Pedro Rimovsky NC 1 7 April 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 8–3–2 (1) Avenamar Peralta PTS 10 9 January 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Loss 7–3–2 (1) Avenamar Peralta PTS 12 28 November 1970 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina FAB Argentina Light Heavyweight Title.
Loss 7–2–2 (1) Juan Aguilar PTS 10 18 September 1970 Mendoza, Argentina
NC 7–1–2 (1) Juan Aguilar NC 1 14 August 1970 Mendoza, Argentina
Win 7–1–2 Jorge Ahumada KO 5 22 July 1970 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Draw 6–1–2 Juan Aguilar PTS 10 24 June 1970 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 6–1–1 Alfredo Segura KO 3 20 May 1970 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 5–1–1 Ramon Reinaldo Cerrezuela TKO 9 9 May 1970 Lujan, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Loss 4–1–1 Juan Aguilar PTS 10 8 April 1970 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 4–0–1 Ramon Rocha KO 9 13 March 1970 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Win 3–0–1 Adolfo Jorge Cardozo KO 5 17 January 1970 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Draw 2–0–1 Adolfo Cejas PTS 10 16 August 1969 Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Win 2–0 Ruperto Robledo KO 3 28 June 1969 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 1–0 Ramon Ruiz KO 4 10 May 1969 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

References

    Achievements
    Preceded by
    Bob Foster
    Retired
    WBA Light Heavyweight Champion
    7 Dec 1974 15 Sep 1978
    Succeeded by
    Mike Rossman
    Preceded by
    Mike Rossman
    WBA Light Heavyweight Champion
    14 April 30 November 1979
    Succeeded by
    Marvin Johnson
    Light heavyweight status
    Preceded by
    Dick Tiger
    Latest born world champion to die
    October 26, 1980 July 29, 2008
    Succeeded by
    Mate Parlov
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