How did Deleon look in training ? Terrific fighter who I feel isn't remembered enough.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 08 Oct 2025, 13:36
by Expug
Ya know, it’s been along time since that day. He was in there with Benitez.
They both sparred that day with different guys but I gotta tax my brain a little on this one to remember.
I haven’t thought about this in quite awhile.
It was 1982 or 1983.
Both guys were in shape.
I’ll look into this and see if I can remember the card they fought on.
Bruno was fighting at Davinci manor. On Chicagos west side.
He sparred with Tillis. But I think that was a different day.
Here are two forgotten fighters. Former World Jr Welterweight Champion Carlos "Morocho" Hernandez of Venezuela and big time contender Kenny Lane of Michigan
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 09 Oct 2025, 19:54
by goose 5
I hear about Laila Ali putting it on guys in a Chicago gym, but I don't remember which gym it was.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 09 Oct 2025, 22:59
by Expug
goose 5 wrote: ↑09 Oct 2025, 19:54
I hear about Laila Ali putting it on guys in a Chicago gym, but I don't remember which gym it was.
Probably Windy City gym.
She’s married to a former fighter from Chicago.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 09 Oct 2025, 23:01
by Expug
Actually I got that wrong. He’s married to another of Ali’s daughters
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 11 Oct 2025, 14:56
by The Docker
Shout out to Jose Ribalta, the definitive gatekeeper. But wow his resume is stacked. Hats of to him for taking on the talent he did. Remarkable set of names he prepared to duke it out with.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 11 Oct 2025, 17:27
by Expug
The Docker wrote: ↑11 Oct 2025, 14:56
Shout out to Jose Ribalta, the definitive gatekeeper. But wow his resume is stacked. Hats of to him for taking on the talent he did. Remarkable set of names he prepared to duke it out with.
Wow. Just looked at his record. That guy was in tough a LOT.
I’d say his best win was over Jeff Simms.
He also belongs on the list. Big , big puncher.
The Docker wrote: ↑11 Oct 2025, 14:56
Shout out to Jose Ribalta, the definitive gatekeeper. But wow his resume is stacked. Hats of to him for taking on the talent he did. Remarkable set of names he prepared to duke it out with.
Wow. Just looked at his record. That guy was in tough a LOT.
I’d say his best win was over Jeff Simms.
He also belongs on the list. Big , big puncher.
It's really a shame they stopped the fight when he was in there with Mike Tyson. Ribalta was taking a lot of punishment I admit, but he was taking it all without a backward step, and steadily fighting back. I think he would've lasted the distance with Mike. He was a tough, tough dude. Very slow, and very predictable with his attack pattern, but not a guy you're gonna get out of there easy.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 15 Oct 2025, 14:33
by Nile4000
Lonnie Smith.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 15 Oct 2025, 18:04
by Caractacus
Thomas Hauser had written an entire book about him in 1986, but when was the last time anyone here has mentioned him ?
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 15 Oct 2025, 21:42
by scartissue
Expug wrote: ↑08 Oct 2025, 13:36
Ya know, it’s been along time since that day. He was in there with Benitez.
They both sparred that day with different guys but I gotta tax my brain a little on this one to remember.
I haven’t thought about this in quite awhile.
It was 1982 or 1983.
Both guys were in shape.
I’ll look into this and see if I can remember the card they fought on.
Bruno was fighting at Davinci manor. On Chicagos west side.
He sparred with Tillis. But I think that was a different day.
Brian, I was at that show at DaVinci Manor. Felt like a kid in a candy store. It was called 'The British are coming", with Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan and Barry McGuigan on the card. I met McGuigan and his then manager Barney Eastwood coming out of the bathroom (hope they washed their hands). They were tickled that I knew who they were because it was early in Barry's career. I met him again years later when he was being inducted in the World Boxing Hall of Fame and told him of our first meeting. Really down to earth dude.
Expug wrote: ↑08 Oct 2025, 13:36
Ya know, it’s been along time since that day. He was in there with Benitez.
They both sparred that day with different guys but I gotta tax my brain a little on this one to remember.
I haven’t thought about this in quite awhile.
It was 1982 or 1983.
Both guys were in shape.
I’ll look into this and see if I can remember the card they fought on.
Bruno was fighting at Davinci manor. On Chicagos west side.
He sparred with Tillis. But I think that was a different day.
Brian, I was at that show at DaVinci Manor. Felt like a kid in a candy store. It was called 'The British are coming", with Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan and Barry McGuigan on the card. I met McGuigan and his then manager Barney Eastwood coming out of the bathroom (hope they washed their hands). They were tickled that I knew who they were because it was early in Barry's career. I met him again years later when he was being inducted in the World Boxing Hall of Fame and told him of our first meeting. Really down to earth dude.
Hi Dan. Ya , that must’ve been a great night.
Davinci manor was a great spot to watch the fights. Old school fight club type atmosphere. I think Lapaglia fought there a bunch of times. I’m not sure what’s there now. My wife grew up right down the street at North and Nagle. Galewood neighborhood.
I would’ve really enjoyed meeting Mcguigan. That must’ve been fun also.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 20 Oct 2025, 12:52
by Caractacus
Sammy Angott
Tony Janario
Charly Fusari
Steve Belloise
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 12:24
by elmersalsa
Julio "El Diablito" Valdez of Dominican Republic.
Samuel Serrano of Puerto Rico.
Who remembers their epic fight at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico?
It was February 1979.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 14:44
by Ambling Alp II
Caractacus wrote: ↑15 Oct 2025, 18:04
Thomas Hauser had written an entire book about him in 1986, but when was the last time anyone here has mentioned him ?
I remember reading that book! His manager also managed Gerrie Cooney. Costelo was a good fighter and seemed like a good guy.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 19:15
by goose 5
Serrano-Valdez was epic? I saw in on television but don't remember it being epic.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 19:44
by elmersalsa
goose 5 wrote: ↑23 Oct 2025, 19:15
Serrano-Valdez was epic? I saw in on television but don't remember it being epic.
It was a bizarre fight. After the fight, Samuel Serrano hit Julio El Diablito Valdez causing a big melee. The Puerto Rican National Guard hurt a couple of people hitting those people with sticks. It was police brutality at its finest.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 01 Nov 2025, 17:36
by Caractacus
Tavoris Cloud (Don King's last chance fighter)
-2013-
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 03 Nov 2025, 20:27
by goose 5
Johnny Persol.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 07 Nov 2025, 18:07
by Caractacus
Rocky Castellani had been a "staple" on LIVE television boxing programmes back in the 1950's.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 08 Nov 2025, 17:51
by Caractacus
Lew Tendler
Al Hostack
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 08 Nov 2025, 23:22
by witherspoon
A personal favourite of mine, maybe a stretch to say that he's been forgotten but never see him mentioned in hypotheticals or reminisced about - John John Molina.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 10 Nov 2025, 16:05
by elmersalsa
Panama Al Brown
Battling Battalino
Freddie Miller
Tommy Paul
They barely get mentioned.
Re: Forgotten champs, contenders, and others
Posted: 10 Nov 2025, 17:40
by Expug
Chico Vejar
Mainstay on Gillette and Pabst blue ribbon tv fights in the 50s.
My Dad used to mention him.
Beat Billy Graham and a couple other good fighters.
Fought everyone