BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Oakland Tribune (August 23, 1975)

'RAY LUNNY UPSET BY VILOMAR FERNANDEZ'

Ray Lunny is undefeated no more, as New York's - Vilomar Fernandez scored with repeated
right hands and won a one-sided 10-Round Unanimous Decision in a Nationally Televised
bout.

The bout was only 'one-minute old', when Fernandez landed an overhand right to the chin that
staggered the (133 lbs.) Redwood City locale, and had him wobbling. From there, it was
all Vilomar Fernandez.

The 'unranked' Fernandez had an easy time finding Ray with right-hands, as he 'staggered' Ray
in Round 3, when he scored with a hard right cross, forcing Ray to take 'Standing 8-Count'.

The pattern continued, and in Round 5 another right-cross by Fernandez (133 lbs.) caused
Ray's left eye to swell.

In Round 8, Ray was again staggered by another right-cross, and in Round 9 Fernandez dropped
him for a 'second-time' when he landed a hard right-cross and followed up with a left hook
that put Ray down. A 'dazed' Lunny survived Round 9 by hanging on. Ray left Round 9 on
'rubbery-legs' and a nearly closed left eye.

Vilomar hurt Ray again in Round 10 with several right hands, and then taunted the Redwood City
plumber by dancing-and-circling with his hands held low by his side.

Scorecards;
* Referee - Hank................7-2 (In points for Vilomar Fernandez)...(5-2-3 in Rounds)
* Judge - Jack Campbell......8-1 (In points for Vilomar Fernandez)...(6-1-3 in Rounds)
* Judge - Jack Downey........8-2 (In points for Vilomar Fernandez)...(6-2-2 in Rounds)

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Il Duce wrote:Wednesday Night - October 22, 1975 (Circle Star Theatre)

'SLEEP PROVES A CURE, EASY NIGHT FOR LUNNY'

Redwood City's - Ray Lunny had the right cure for Wednesday Night's NABF Super Featherweight
Championship, as it was 8-Hours of sleep at his Dad's house.

Ray Lunny (130 lbs.) showing off a crisp left hand in the 1st-Round, stayed with that routine for
the entire 12-Rounds, in winning an easy Unanimous Decision over Eduardo 'The Invader' Santiago.

Using a bob-and-glide style, Ray relied on his sharp left jab and boxing skills, as his New York
opponent was unable to get close to land his own hard left hand.

Though Ray won easily, he did not escape without the usual marks, a nearly closed left eye and
a split lower lip as a result of an 'accidental butt' midway through the bout.'

Ray Lunny III, 'My left eye got laced in the 1st-Round, and by the 5th-Round it was closing. So
I just stayed with boxing, and it was an easy night.

Ray Lunny III improves to 23-1-3, and retains his 'NABF' Super Featherweight Championshhip.

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Il Duce wrote:Referee - Elmer Costa.......10-1-1....(Ray Lunny)
Judge - John Campbell.......9-1-2.....(Ray Lunny)
Judge - Johnny Lotsey........9-1-2.....(Ray Lunny)

San Mateo Times...............8-1-3.....(Ray Lunny)

Il Duce wrote:The Big Fight was next........

For the USBA Super Featherweight Championship.........

Tyrone Everett vs Ray Lunny III

Winner gets WBC Champion - Alfredo Escalera or WBA Champion - Ben Villalfor

Both fighters claimed that each Champion was avoiding them.

Couldn't argue their case.

Il Duce wrote:Monday - February 6, 1976 (Civic Auditorium, San Francisco)

'RAY LUNNY III COMEBACK GO TONIGHT'

Ray Lunny was depressed following his 'loss' to Tyrone Everett back in December 1975. But
the Redwood City boxer vowed to continue, and would not let the loss upset his quest for
a future World Title bout.

Over the past few weeks, Ray a has been working out with strong Lightweight-sparring partners
at the Armory Gym on Mission Street, and has put in 55-Rounds of good sparring. Lunny, with a
record of 23-2-3 still hopes 'one-more-win' will do the trick for a Championship Bout.

Ray's original opponent - Jose Fernandez who he fought previously (1974) has been replaced by
Arizona Lightweight - Arturo Leon 25-10-0 {8 KO's}, as Jose Fernandez has signed to challenge
WBC Super Featherweight Champion on February 20, 1976.

Don't be fooled by Arturo's spotty record, as he is a 'good little fighter' who can take punches, and
still battle back. Back in January 1975, Arturo 'upset' Jimmy Heair, and Arturo was offered a
WBA Championship Bout with Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran.

But, Arturo passed up the bout when he was unhappy with the fight purse offer. Since then,
Arturo had a 'bad run' by losing '5-Straight' and fell into 'trial-horse status'. Arturo has bounced
back a bit by winning his last '2-Bouts'. Arturo has 'never' been floored or stopped, and is
considered one of the most durable Lightweight boxers. The fighters have signed to come
in at {134 lbs.} or less.

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'RAY LUNNY SCORES WIN, IN LACKLUSTRE DECISION'

Ray Lunny moved back to his winning ways, but his Unanimous 10-Round Decision win over durable Arturo Leon
from Tucson, Arizona lacked excitement.

The Redwood City Lightweight used a solid left jab, and boxed by hitting-and-moving, as the the smaller
visitor followed and got hit. Neither fighter was in any trouble during the bout, and Ray kept up the pace
with a steady volley of left jabs. Most observers had the 24 1/2 year-old Lunny winning 8 of the 10 Rounds.

Ray Lunny improved to 24-2-3. and there looks to be a possibility of a Championship Bout later this year.

Il Duce wrote:September 3, 1976 (Oakland Tribune)

'I DO MY BEST AS AN UNDERDOG' - RAY LUNNY

25 year-old Ray Lunny III will finally get his chance at a World Super Featherweight Championship
when he challenges WBC Champion - Alfredo Escalera on Saturday Night, September 18, 1976 in
Puerto Rico.

Ray who has been working out daily at the Oakland Gym, spars 4 or 5 Rounds with Stockton Welterweight -
Rudy Barro, and another 5-Rounds with 'fast-stepping' Cloverdale Featherweight - Fidel Frajo.

Ray Lunny Sr. 'We know all about the Champion Escalera. He moves right in on you, and has a quick
right hand. He's a good fighter, but he's not as quick as Ben Villaflor, who Ray handled fairly well in
November 1974, before the cut ended the bout. I'm a little nervous about fighting in Puerto Rico,
under a Promoter who also is the Manager for the Champion. But Ray will be well prepared, and
I expect it to be a close bout.'

Ray Lunny III, 'I have seen Escalera fight before. He was not that impressive in his last fight with
Buzzsaw Yamabe. They say I have to win by a Knockout to get a win there, but I'm not going to
change my fight plan. But, I do predict I'll win by a Knockout.'

Sam Esposito (Trainer), 'We have made great improvements with Ray's defense. He made alot of
mistakes with that South African (Blakeney Kid Matthews) in Australia, though I still believe he won
that fight. After were done here, we will make a stop in Orlando, Florida to get adjusted to the high
humity. We're planning a coupe of sparring sessions with Termite Watkins and Frankie Santore, before
heading into San Juan.'

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Il Duce wrote:I think he's one and the same,,,,,,,,from Florida....

Odd situation,,,,,,,,

Ray Lunny loses to Tyrone Everett (12/75) , yet gets a Title opportunity 'first' (9/76).

Ray Lunny beat Jose Fernandez (1/75), who then went on to get a Title chance 'first' (12/75).

Ray Lunny beat Buzzsaw Yamabe (7/74) ,who then went on to get a Title chance 'first' (4/76) and (7/76).
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Saturday Night - September 18, 1976

Tale Of The Tape

* WBC Champion ~ Aflredo Escalera ~ 35-7-2 (23 KO's) ~ Age; 24 years, 6 months ~ Height; 5' 8" ~ Reach; 69"
vs.
#5 WBC ~ Ray Lunny III ~ 25-3-3 (10 KO's) ~ Age; 25 years, 3 months ~ Height; 5' 8" ~ Reach; 68"

Alfredo Escalera (Puerto Rico) will be making his '6th' Title Defense, and is a 2-1 Betting-Favorite. The 'winner' of
this bout must face #1 WBC Challenger - Tyrone Everett by the end of 1976.

Ray Lunny III predicts a victory, and states that, 'The bout will not go the distance, and I will 'knockout' the Champion.
If I lose I will retire.'

The Championship Bout is held at the Roberto Clemente Stadium, and is attended by 10,500 Puerto Rican fans who
are in support of their Champion. This bout will be broadcast by 'Closed Circuit' and will take place at 9:00 PM
Saturday Night. It will be promoted by Salinas Promotions, who just happens to be run by Jose 'Pepito' Cordero,
the Manager of the WBC Champion - Alfredo Escalera.

Fight Purses (approximate)
* Alfredo Escalera.....$80,000
* Ray Lunny III........$28,000

The Skinny,

Alfredo Escalera is a 'rising star' with his exciting style and powerful right hands. But in is last Title Defense on
(July 1, 1976 )- he was 'not' overly impressive in scoring a 15-Round Decision over Japan's Buzzsaw Yamabe.

Ray Lunny is a 'good fighter', but he can be 'tagged' and has been on the canvas more than a few times.
And, Ray usually gets 'rocked' in every one of his bouts, as he is susceptible to right hands, and his chin can be 'tagged.
In his previous bout (June 1976), Ray struggled with Rogelio Casataneda and narrowily won a 10-Round
Split-Decision.

Il Duce wrote:'LUNNY LOSES, RETIRES'
'ESCALERA RETIRES FOE IN 13TH'
'WBC CHAMP ESCALERA STOPS LUNNY, FATHER HALTS BOUT AT END OF 12TH'
'LUNNY NO MATCH FOR CHAMP, WILL RETIRE'

WBC Super Featherweight Champion - Alfredo Escalera retained his Title last night by
scoring a TKO, as Challenger Ray Lunny could not come out for the 13th Round.

The Challenger was 'dazed' after taking a 'lathering of punches' from the Champion in
Round 12. Ray Lunny Sr., his son's Chief Cornerman told Referee - Waldemar Schmidt
that his son/fighter could not continue, awarding the Champion the victory by way of a
TKO 13.

The Challenger was able to 'out-punch' the Champion over the first '4-Rounds', and
won each of the Rounds, including opening up a small nick over Escalera's left eye
in Round 3.

But Escalera had a 'solid' 5th-Round, as he used his hard left jab as a slashing punch,
which opened a cut on the inside corner of the Challenger's right eye.

That 'cut' seemed to to take the fight out of Ray Lunny, and the Champion displayed harder
punching by using sharp left hands in Rounds 6, 7 and 8, as the Challenger was on the
defensive.

In a moment of frustration in Round 9, during a close exchange Ray Lunny picked the Champion
up, and threw him over his shoulder to the delight of his supporters.

Alfredo Escalera had a 'solid' 10th Round, as he landed several right upper-cuts which opened
a gash under the Challenger's chin, and 'left-hook' also opened a cut over Lunny's right eye.

But, the Challenger was able to mount a rally in Round 11, as he got under Champion's long
reach and scored with his own right hands.

But the Champion displayed his punching power in Round 12, and took command as he landed
several right uppercuts that 'staggered' the Challenger, and several follow up punches had
Lunny 'dazed' and 'reeling' at the Bell.

With Ray Lunny sitting on his stool 'cut' and 'too dazed' to continue, Ray Lunny Sr. told
the Referee that it was over.
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Ray Lunny Sr. 'There was no reason to continue. I made the call, and Ray was too dazed to let
it go on. I would not let Ray continue. The Champion punched harder, and he was a little too strong
for my son.'

Ray Lunny III, 'It wasn't my father who stopped the fight. It was me, I was cut and it did effect
my vision. But I'm true to my word, and will retire.'

Alfredo Escalera, 'He was pretty good for the first few rounds. But after I cut him, he didn't really
want to fight anymore.'

Tyrone Everett (at ringside), 'I wasn't that impressed. He has a good left hand, but even when he had
Ray in trouble, he couldn't land his best right hand.'

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Il Duce wrote:No names on the Scorecard results

* 117-113.......(7-3-2 in Rounds) Alfredo Escalera
* 118-114.......(6-2-4 in Rounds) Alfredo Escalera
* 116-113.......(7-4-1 in Rounds) Alfredo Escalera

After a good 11th-Round by Ray Lunny, Alfredo Escalera was up
by {3} {3} and {2} Points.

But after a 'brutal' 12th Round, Papa Lunny must have felt that his
son wasn't going to win by a 'Knockout', and winning a Decision
in Puerto Rico wasn't going to happen.

Smart move to 'end the fight' on that note.