Manuel Ramos (boxer)

Manuel Ramos
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Pulgarcito
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Nationality	Mexican
Born	November 20, 1942 Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Died	June 6, 1999 (aged 56)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	56
Wins	24
Wins by KO	19
Losses	29
Draws	3
No contests	0

Manuel Ramos (November 20, 1942 – June 6, 1999), nicknamed "Pulgarcito" ("Tom Thumb"), was a Mexican boxer. He was the heavyweight champion of Mexico, a top world title contender in the late 1960s, and one of Mexico's most internationally-successful heavyweights.^[1][2]

Biography

Manuel Ramos was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. He boxed professionally for two to three years in the early 1960s, but records of this period have not been preserved.^[3] He defeated Indio Lopez for the Mexican heavyweight title on June 24, 1963 by first-round knockout. He next fought a series of American opponents in Los Angeles area venues, attaining a mixed record of 5-6-2.

His fortunes improved dramatically from 1966 to 1968, with a string of 13 victories, including a split decision over former title contender Eddie Machen^[4] and a unanimous decision over former WBA champion Ernie Terrell.^[5][6] This led to him being ranked #4 by The Ring Magazine and set up a title match with NYSAC World Champion Joe Frazier.^[3]

The bout was held at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 1968. The iconic arena had just opened four months earlier, and Ramos was the first Mexican fighter to appear there.^[7] The match was an intense two-round battle,^[1][8] in which Ramos briefly staggered Frazier, but was then knocked down twice and lost by referee's stoppage when he signaled that he was unable to continue.^[3] This was to be Ramos's only world title fight.

He continued to be ranked as a top heavyweight through the end of the 1960s, but losses to George Chuvalo, Jack O'Halloran,^[9] and Chuck Wepner (in which Ramos inflicted serious cuts on his opponent but went on to lose by unanimous decision)^[1][10] marked the beginning of his decline. After a period as a gatekeeper for up-and-coming heavyweights in the early 1970s,^[11] he lost 15 straight fights and retired from boxing in 1977.

Outside of the ring, Ramos had roles in the Mexican films Nosotros los feos (1973) and El Loco Bronco (1989).

He worked as an office manager in the Mexican Navy, resigning in 1995.^[2]

Professional boxing record

References

1. Fernandez, Sr., Robert F. (August 6, 2014). Boxing in New Jersey, 1900-1999. McFarland. pp. 137–138. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
2. Roste, Travis (March 1, 2010). "Heavyweight Autographs". Autograph Magazine. Archived from the original on June 30, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
3. "Manuel Ramos - Biography". BoxRec. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
4. Amato, Jim. "Manuel Ramos - Mexican Heavyweight". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
5. "Ernie Terrell, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champ, Dies At 75". The Huffington Post. December 19, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
6. Ryan, Joe (February 21, 2013). Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s: The Great Fighters and Rivalries. McFarland. p. 39. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
7. "Margarito a imitar a otros mexicanos en el Madison" [Margarito to imitate other Mexicans at the Madison]. Mediotempo (in Spanish). December 1, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
8. Ryan, Joe (February 21, 2013). Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s: The Great Fighters and Rivalries. McFarland. p. 132. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
9. Scott, Vernon (July 21, 1987). "Former Prizefighter A Heavyweight Movie Villain". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
10. "Liston: One More Shot". The Miami News. June 30, 1970. p. 4-B. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
11. Ryan, Joe (February 21, 2013). Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s: The Great Fighters and Rivalries. McFarland. p. 95. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
12. "Manuel Ramos - Record". BoxRec. Retrieved August 23, 2016.

External links

• Manuel Ramos at the Internet Movie Database