Eduardo Corletti RIP?

[Troiano]

It has been some time since my last posting but wanted to get this down here. While doing some research for a possible article on Eduardo Corletti, I came across what might be his obituary. The birthdate matches up with the boxer Corletti (August 1941-August 2017, deceased just short of his 76th birthday), it likely was the same man. He was listed as living in Arizona USA (not Argentina or Italy, his two favored locations while boxing), nothing further available on any boxing or celebrity death site, yet it was about 45 years since his last fight so no surprise if he was living quietly. Perhaps someone reading this "in the know" would have more information.

Eduardo Corletti, I believe he was born Hector Eduardo Corletti, "El Gato," has been mentioned from time on boxing forums. Particularly his trying to get a fight with Muhammad Ali during Ali's enforced 3 year exile from boxing. That never came off, Ali was not allowed to box in the United States nor was he able to get a passport for a fight in, say, Argentina or Italy (even had he wanted a match outside of the country and indications are he didn't). Corletti's final record was 32-16-5. Among boxers that he did fight, highlights were a decision over George Chuvalo (Chuvalo has of course said he was the real victor over Corletti, he did give EC the "mixed credit" of boxer with the "fastest feet"). Also victories against Luis Pires (before Pires was a "professional opponent") and Santiago Lovell (Pedro's brother IIRC) for the Argentine/South American title, additionally vs. South African journeyman Gerry de Bruyn and ersatz "Jewish heavyweight" Ski Goldstein.

"Lowlights" included 1 round losses to Oscar Bonavena and Jerry Quarry, plus a 2 round loss to Al "Blue" Lewis...another future Ali adversary. Somewhere in the middle would have been the decision loss to Joe Bugner, Bugner was highly regarded though not usually known as a slugger. Still, Corletti went the distance. There was a draw with Dante Cane, early in both their careers (Cane's third fight I believe) and the "fight" with Thad Spencer, another wannabe Ali opponent, that never took place either. Corletti apparently got injured so Leotis Martin was brought in as an alternate and defeated Spencer in this British bout, this was during the extended slide Thad had at the end of his career (but a bit before Corletti's own extended slide).

One more interesting fact was a Boxing Illustrated cover from August 1968. Corletti appeared on it, along with Joe Frazier, Boone Kirkman and Manuel Ramos, all on the sides, with Jimmy Ellis in appearing larger in the middle (he was WBA champion at the time) and a looming photo of Muhammad Ali over all of them. Representing I suppose the "heavyweight picture" of these contenders trying to get a fight with Ali...or at least Ellis. Only Frazier and Ellis actually wound up fighting Ali, Ramos did fight Frazier, Kirkman fought George Foreman later, Corletti fought Quarry, Chuvalo, Bugner, Bonavena et al. Anyway, a copy of this BI signed by Ali, Ellis, Frazier and Kirkman (guess they weren't able to get Corletti or Ramos) has been appraised as being worth in the hundreds of dollars. Again, RIP Eduardo.

[Kalan]

He had a good winning steak going, including Chuvalo, Bygraves, Stallings, Giorgetti, Penna, and Billy Walker when he faced the big, tall, and powerfully built, but slow swinging Alvin Lewis (who everybody called Blue).. Blue crushed Corletti in 2 rounds.. He was asked in a radio interview if Corletti was a good boxer.. Blue said "The fight didn't last long enough to measure skills, but Eduardo Corletti is a very good looking guy."

[wouter]

It has been some time since my last posting but wanted to get this down here. While doing some research for a possible article on Eduardo Corletti, I came across what might be his obituary. The birthdate matches up with the boxer Corletti (August 1941-August 2017, deceased just short of his 76th birthday), it likely was the same man. He was listed as living in Arizona USA (not Argentina or Italy, his two favored locations while boxing), nothing further available on any boxing or celebrity death site, yet it was about 45 years since his last fight so no surprise if he was living quietly. Perhaps someone reading this "in the know" would have more information.

Yes, this was Eduardo Corletti the fighter. Thanks for the information.