Shako Mamba 'Black Mamba Snake'

[Rover]

Interesting thread.
I enjoy the obscure fighters.

[Rover]

It was announced on March 6, 1976 - (AP, Buenos Aires)

WBA Middleweight Champion - Carlos Monzon was to defend his Championship in Kinshasha, Zaire
against #8 WBA-ranked Shako Mamba in mid-April 1976.

Carlos Monzon was to receive a fight purse of $200,000

29 year-old - Shako Mamba was listed as the African Boxing Union - Middleweight Champion, and
had an ABU listed record of 56-4-1 {49 KO's}.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... WMY9wWZdFw

Glad Carlos fought Valdez instead.

[Rover]

Yes,

But a nice easy way to pick up $29,000,000 'Pesetas'.......for an 'easy' Title Defense in Africa,
before taking on Rodrigo Valdez a few months later.

There always could've been a cut or something. A win over this opponent wouldn't have done much for Monzon's legacy. I don't hear too many cries of "he didn't fight Mamba!"

[Rover]

I have an article where Carlos Monzon's Manager 'Tito Lecture' signed the 'fight contract'.

Shako Mamba was ranked #8 by both the WBA and WBC, and the Zaire Government was
backing the fight, and had the 'guarantee' fight purse.

February 1976 (El Grafico Magazine)

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... aVyj5SuBFQ

So why didn't it occur?

[Rover]

Fght Promoter - Rodolfo Sabatini changed the venue........

Wanted to stage Shako Mamba vs. Emile Griffith in Kinshahsa, Zaire first-

But that bout fell through also.

But there was already a contract with Monzon, right?

[Rover]

Italian Fight Promoter - Rodolfo Sabatani..... 'always had the wheels turning'......

#8 WBA-ranked Shako Mamba was to face WBA Middleweight Champion - Carlos Monzon in mid-April 1976 - in Kinhsasha, Zaire

Note; The bout and promotion was cancelled, when the 'fight purse guarantee' was not delivered.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the interim, Shako Mamba was scheduled to face Emile Griffith on Saturday Night - August 21, 1976 in Kinshasha, Zaire.

But, Emile 'pulled out' when he was offered a Championship Bout (September 1976) with WBC Light Middleweight Champion -
Eckhard Dagge in Germany.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... DMan0LXhpw

Ah, that clarifies it.