Re: Ray Lunny III 'Northern California Star'
Posted: 07 Mar 2013, 19:27
Good thing for him the fight wasn't scored on the 10-point system v. the rounds system.Il Duce wrote:Ray Lunny III -
The 'super popular fighter' from the early-1970's out of Northern California (Redwood City).
In 1970, Ray Lunny III was considered one of the best United States Amateur Featherweights,
and the 19 year-old was a rising star. At 5' 8" (just a tad under), Ray had a style much like later
Chicago Lightweight - 'Johnny Lira', a straight ahead 'banger', who fought harder when hit.
Ray Lunny III was offered a 'nice deal' to turn professional in 1970 , and decided to turn Pro
and make his Professional 'debut' at The Forum (Southern California) with a big 'fan fare'.
Instead of matching the 'teenage sensation' with an easy opponent for his 'professional debut',
'The Forum' put Ray in with a pretty good 'club-fighting scrapper' - a 'seasoned' 21 year-old
Mexican Featherweight named - Vic Jiminez - who had a record of (11-6-2), on the
Friday Night - October 21, 1970 "Ruben Olivares - Chucho Castillo II' World Bantamweight
Championship (2nd-Meeting)
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"A SECOND RAY LUNNY, HELD TO DRAW IN AUSPICIOUS DEBUT"
What Ray Lunny III soon found out, is that Vic Jiminez didn't read the 'Press Clippings' about Ray.
In front of 16,000+ fans at The Forum, who turned out for the Ruben Olivares - Chucho Castillo
Bantamweight Championship Bout, Ray Lunny III had to open the 'show'.
Ray boxed nicely in Rounds 1 and 2, and edged both Rounds. But, Vic Jiminez came on hard
in Round 3, and pounded Ray all over the ring, and eventually dropped him with a crisp right
hand - 'square-on-the-button'.
Ray also suffered a 1" gash under the right eye. Jiminez continued is aggressive attack in
Round 4, as Ray foolishly tried to slug with the stronger and more experienced Jiminiez.
The teenager, rallied in Round 5, and fought with everything he had while keeping the tough
Mexican off of him. But Ray expended alot of energy, and had nothing left to hold off
Jiminez who took Round 6 on all '3' Scorecards to earn a '6 Round Draw'.
Ray Lunny III, - 'I wasn't nervous in there, I just didn't fight too smart. I should have jabbed
more, instead of swinging wildy. I lost track of what Round it was in the 5th, and I let go
with everything I had, and used up all my energy. I had nothing left for the last Round.
I guess I blew it.'
Ray Lunny Sr. - 'Ray didn't listen to me. I told him to box this kid, because he was tough. He
didn't fight too smart after the 2nd Round. Well, at least he got his 'first fight' under his belt,
and we can move on from here. Not too many fighters have their professional debut on a
Fight Card as big as this one.'
Babe Griffin, 'I'm not worried about Ray, he's a good fighter. I have him scheduled for
October 31, 1970 at the 'Valley Music Center' in San Francisco. He'll be fine, and he
learned alot tonight. He will be a better fighter as far as I'm concerned.'
'A SECOND LUNNY'
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