BoxRec

John Ruiz is by far the most successful boxer of Hispanic descent. But apart from him there wasn't that many Hispanic Heavyweights, from what I have seen anyways.

The only one worth of mention was 1950's contender Tommy Gomez. This native of Florida, had a record of 75-9-2 (65). He was at one time considered to be an opponent for Rocky Marciano, but when he faced Jersey Joe Walcott, he was blwon away in three rounds.

He beat such names as Buddy Knox, Tony Musto, Phil Muscato, Johnny Flynn...but fell short against Natie Brown and Bob Satterfield.

Anyone else know of any hispanic Heavyweights? I know there is an up and coming Latino Heavyweight but I forget his name, saw him in the NEW FACES page in RING or KO magazine.

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:John Ruiz is by far the most successful boxer of Hispanic descent. But apart from him there wasn't that many Hispanic Heavyweights, from what I have seen anyways.

The only one worth of mention was 1950's contender Tommy Gomez. This native of Florida, had a record of 75-9-2 (65). He was at one time considered to be an opponent for Rocky Marciano, but when he faced Jersey Joe Walcott, he was blwon away in three rounds.

He beat such names as Buddy Knox, Tony Musto, Phil Muscato, Johnny Flynn...but fell short against Natie Brown and Bob Satterfield.

Anyone else know of any hispanic Heavyweights? I know there is an up and coming Latino Heavyweight but I forget his name, saw him in the NEW FACES page in RING or KO magazine.

Nino Valdes was at least close to worldclass, he went 25 competitive rounds with Archie Moore and beat Ezzard Charles and Hurricane Jackson. Then there are the Argentine heavyweights - at least Boanavena and Firpo. If "Spanish" counts as "Latino", the Basque Paolino Uzcudun deserves a honoralbe notice. Finally a point could also be made for Alfredo Evangelista, who challenged both Ali and Holmes for the world heavyweight title.

Always liked Eddie The Animal Lopez. Alex Garcia was tough too.

A journeyman at best, Tony Fuente was a heavyweight of
Mexican descent who was active during the 1920s.

- Chuck Johnston

Lets not forget Oscar Bonaveda, and Peralta who got his butt handed to him by Foreman.

Puerto Ricans Ossie Ocasio and Jose Roman fought for the HW title.

It seems rather surprising that he was able to go the distance with Lewis. On the other hard that was pretty early in Lewis's career.

Alex Garcia was a moderately successful heavyweight during the late 80's and early 90's. A fringe contender with not much of a chin, he compiled a record of something like 40-6.

Other Hispanic heavyweights included Arturo Godoy,
Alberto Lovell, Luis Firpo, Quintin Romero Rojas,
Mexican Pete Everett, and Pedro Lovell.

- Chuck Johnston

1) Only Hispanic or Latinamerican born or naturallized in the United States or 2) from all the countryes of the Iberoamerican, or Latinamerican or South American world? In this moment, 1) I remember the American Joey Orbillo, but, if are too from all the other countries, there are a lot, and, as the fighters until now mentioned, 2) the Mexican Manuel Ramos, the Brazilians Luíz Pírez and Adilson Rodrigues or the Portuguese José Santa or José King Román, and many more (José Urtaín, Bernardo Mercado, José Luis García ...)

I think the Chilean Arturo Godoy is often overlooked. In addition to taking a prime Joe Louis to a split decision (one judge had Godoy winning by 8 rounds) Godoy also had KO wins over Buddy Walker, Tony Musto, Vincenz Hower, and Jack Roper, along with decisions over Tony Galento and Alberto Lovell (twice each) and Tommy Loughran, Gus Dorazio, Tony Musto, Phil Muscato, Jose Carattoli, and Roscoe Toles.

Take a look at Paolino Uzcudun's record on the BoxRec
website. Yes, it is true that Uzcudun had alot of losses,
but he beat some very good fighters in addition to being
one tough dude. I would say that he was the best
Spanish heavyweight ever.

- Chuck Johnston

Are there any?

pundit wrote:

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:John Ruiz is by far the most successful boxer of Hispanic descent. But apart from him there wasn't that many Hispanic Heavyweights, from what I have seen anyways.

The only one worth of mention was 1950's contender Tommy Gomez. This native of Florida, had a record of 75-9-2 (65). He was at one time considered to be an opponent for Rocky Marciano, but when he faced Jersey Joe Walcott, he was blwon away in three rounds.

He beat such names as Buddy Knox, Tony Musto, Phil Muscato, Johnny Flynn...but fell short against Natie Brown and Bob Satterfield.

Anyone else know of any hispanic Heavyweights? I know there is an up and coming Latino Heavyweight but I forget his name, saw him in the NEW FACES page in RING or KO magazine.

Nino Valdes was at least close to worldclass, he went 25 competitive rounds with Archie Moore and beat Ezzard Charles and Hurricane Jackson. Then there are the Argentine heavyweights - at least Boanavena and Firpo. If "Spanish" counts as "Latino", the Basque Paolino Uzcudun deserves a honoralbe notice. Finally a point could also be made for Alfredo Evangelista, who challenged both Ali and Holmes for the world heavyweight title.

valdes was defintley world class. he was the # 1 contender for two years.
he was the only fighter besides marciano,walcott from 1949-54 to have legitley beat charles. layne, johnson were robberies. nino scored a HUGE upset win over charles, who was ill prepared, overweight but nonethless made him pay. valdes fought the fight of his life in the 1955 moore fight but came up short. he was never the same or as motivated again after the 55 moore fight. when braddock raised moores hand, valdes fell to the ground whimpering like a little girl like his life was over. it was a sad sight for cuban fans to see for there cuban heavyweight worked so hard and wanted to fight for the title so bad and now he missed his chance with marciano. Valdes at 6'3 210lb was a powerful slugger, with a great long 80" jab, and he possessed decent boxing skill for a big man. his 2 round demolition of # 2 contender hurricane jackson was his power display at its best. he probably should have got a shot at marciano but didnt. he had his chance in 55, but lost the title eliminator to moore. cus D amato ducked valdes because he was a big heavyweight with power. even far past his best, valdes beat guys like joe erskine, mike de john, wayne bethea, etc. Valdes is underated IMO.

Valdes got a lot of experience fighting exhibitions with joe louis. acutally, in 1950 or 51, Louis knocked out nino valdes in exhibition. valdes greatly admired joe.


tommy gomez was one of the hardest punchers p4p of that era, he was a world ranked contender in the 1940s. he was trying to get a shot at joe louis, but walcott flattened him in 3 rounds( i have a nice pic of the KO). gomez was long past it if not retired when marciano became champ.

Seamus wrote:I think the Chilean Arturo Godoy is often overlooked. In addition to taking a prime Joe Louis to a split decision (one judge had Godoy winning by 8 rounds) Godoy also had KO wins over Buddy Walker, Tony Musto, Vincenz Hower, and Jack Roper, along with decisions over Tony Galento and Alberto Lovell (twice each) and Tommy Loughran, Gus Dorazio, Tony Musto, Phil Muscato, Jose Carattoli, and Roscoe Toles.

thanx seamus. arturo godoy IMO is one of the best heavyweights louis ever beat. he looks very good on film. he had incredible longevity and when he brought his A game, he was hard to beat.

* the only fighter who got the best of arturo godoy was roscoe toles, a HIGHLY UNDERATED FIGHTER. toles was one of the highly avoided dangerous top black heavweights of the 1940s.


http://www.boxrec.com/media/images/c/c4 ... Roscoe.jpg


nice pic of roscoe toles