Uncrowned World Champion Series: Armando ‘The Man’ Muniz

Published

8 months ago

May 29, 2020

Uncrowned World Champion Series: Armando ‘The Man’ Muniz

Belts, belts, everybody has a belt.

Until the 1980s there were only two world title belts in each division. It was extremely difficult to become a world champion.

Control of the world title was even more politically charged than it is today.

It was during this period on March 29, 1975, that Armando Muniz ventured to Acapulco, Mexico to face Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles and discovered that beating a world champion to a bloody pulp was not enough. In befuddlement he walked out of that battle without the WBC and WBA welterweight titles. Fans who later saw the fight on television were angered by the outcome.

Despite public outcry the WBC refused to overturn the egregious decision.

That fight remained the closest Muniz ever came to being the actual world champion though he fought several times for the WBC belt. He was not the first and definitely not the last to become an uncrowned world champion.

It gnawed at Muniz for many years who later met with WBC president Jose Sulaiman in Los Angeles to discuss it.

“We had a conference at an office in Van Nuys. And he told me ‘You don’t understand. Napoles was my friend.’ So I said, oh really. What was I,” said Muniz. “I knew he felt bad about it. But the damage was done.”

During his fighting days Muniz could fill those seats at the Olympic Auditorium. All that was necessary was to put his name on the large marquee outside of the building on the corner of 18^th Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles and fans would buy tickets.

“I guess I kind of had the style people like to see,” Muniz says.

Muniz was a go-getter type of personality who after serving the U.S. Army went directly into prizefighting with a pressure boxing style that could bend steel. He quickly climbed up the welterweight ladder into contention. Quickly. He was 24 years old.

Aside from diving into prizefighting, Muniz also enrolled at Cal State University of Los Angeles and attended classes to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. He was a go-getter.

1968 Mexico City Olympics

Born in Mexico but raised in Los Angeles, the Muniz family moved around and while at Artesia High School the future prizefighter met friends who helped guide him toward his eventual career as a professional boxer.

While in the US Army, Muniz had represented the US Boxing team in the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City. Though he did not medal he was there to witness George Foreman win the heavyweight gold medal. He was also witness to the Black Power salute by Black athletes Tommy Smith, John Carlos and Lee Evans. During these Olympic Games student demonstrations were taking place throughout the city and were violently put down by the Mexican government. Many lives were lost.

Boxing had provided Muniz with options while in the U.S. Army and as soon as he departed he looked for a place to continue in the boxing world. He found a gym at the Teamsters Gym in downtown L.A. and also found a manager and trainer there.

“I told him I would fight anyone,” said Muniz of his manager Louie Jauregui. “If I can’t beat them than why am I fighting?”

That became Muniz’s mantra.

“I remember my first fight against Joey Adams I knocked him out in the third round,” said Muniz of his pro debut that took place July 1970 at the Olympic Auditorium. “I made $200 and $100 went to me.”

His fierce fighting style and come-forward aggression quickly gained him fans. In his mere fifth pro fight he was asked to face a Philadelphia fighter named Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts. It was the same fighter that later famously battled with future middleweight champion Marvin Hagler in the famous “Phillie Wars.”

Muniz defeated Watts after six angry rounds at the Olympic Auditorium. After only two more six-round bouts he was headlining 10-round main events at the famous fight arena headed by Aileen Eaton.

He picked up a nickname that suited him well. Muniz became known as “the Man” or “El Hombre.” Every time he fought, fans expected a good fight and he delivered.

“My favorite fight was probably with Oscar “Shotgun” Albarado. I wasn’t supposed to win. He could hit hard with both hands,” said Muniz of the fight that took place on May 6, 1971 at the Olympic Auditorium. It was a 10-round welterweight fight that ended in a split draw. “We filled the seats.”

Crowds continued to fill the seats as Muniz faced top competition wherever he fought against Gil King, Clyde Gray, Emile Griffith and Adolph Pruitt in places like Long Beach, California and Anaheim. He also fought in Las Vegas, Denver and Tucson.

A win over the talented Hedgemon Lewis on December 1974 at the Inglewood Forum set Muniz up for the world title challenge against Napoles three months later. The Los Angeles-based fighter was a 10-1 underdog.

Mexican hospitality

Though Muniz was born in Chihuahua, Mexico he was not treated fondly by Mexicans when he arrived at the press conference in Acapulco. Despite having Mexican blood the Mexican fans preferred Cuba-born Napoles who had adopted Mexico City as his home after the Cuban Revolution in 1960.

For many, Muniz was the Chicano from California brought to be a punching bag for the great Mantequilla.

The term “Chicano” was used to describe those of Mexican blood who lived or were born in the U.S. Some adopt the term and some abhor it. Many in Mexico still use the term Chicano or other words to describe Mexicans living in the U.S.

Muniz never cared what others thought, he always believed in himself.

“I knew I was always in tremendous shape,” said Muniz who credits his wife as a major reason for his ability to concentrate on training.

Right from the opening bell Muniz showed no timidity as the slick fighting Napoles seemed puzzled by constant pressure. In the second round Napoles began using various tricks including head butts to stave off Muniz’s attacks. Cuts opened up on the world champion by the third round.

Round after round Muniz pressured intelligently and despite various Napoles fouls the Mexican referee only admonished the Californian. By the 10^th round the champion slowed down visibly and Muniz began busting up Napoles with big solid blows. A few staggered the Cuba-born fighter and the end was near.

Blood was everywhere including on Muniz’s trunks. The referee seemed worried and from outside of the ring WBC head Jose Sulaiman can be seen shouting instructions to the referee Ramon Berumen. During the 12^th round the fight was stopped. Napoles was declared the winner and the Mexican audience cheered Napoles who looked more like the victim of an East L.A. mugging.

“I was looking at my dad. He said it was incredible that we lost the fight. It was just a bad decision. I think I’m naturally a nice guy. I didn’t rebel. They robbed me and I didn’t make a big stink about it,” said Muniz. “Ninety percent of the people thought I won.”

Despite public outcry throughout California the decision was not overturned.

“I think Jose Sulaiman said this was his decision. So I lost the fight,” said Muniz of the decision in Mexico. “Napoles could do no wrong. He was like a God down there. Even in the town I was born they adored the guy.”

Final count

Muniz would fight three more times for the world title including a rematch with Napoles. All ended in losses for the fighter known as “the Man.”

Knowing he should have won the world title that night in Acapulco could have destroyed Muniz. But he later used his earnings to move to Riverside. He made $15,000 for his fight with Napoles and would later make $30,000 for his last fight against Sugar Ray Leonard. It was the most he ever earned from a prize fight.

“I owe a lot to my wife,” said Muniz who is often guided by his wife to make the right decision including to become a high school teacher. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Muniz lives in a Spanish style house near picturesque hills in Riverside, California. He’s been retired for many years as an educator. One special note was when he fought Carlos Palomino for the WBC welterweight world title in 1978, both were college graduates. It was the first time ever two college graduates fought for a world title.

Armando Muniz at Casa Muniz

A few years back an old friend named Dub Harris received a WBC world title belt from Mauricio Sulaiman who succeeded his late father Jose Sulaiman as the head of the WBC organization. Harris was told to give it to Muniz.

Now the green WBC belt hangs on display at the Muniz home in Riverside.

“Once a guy asked me why I was given the WBC belt,” said Muniz puzzled by the question from the person. I looked at him and said “because I won it.”

Photos credit: Al Applerose

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David A. Avila

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Ryan Garcia, Canelo’s Protege, Announces Fight With Manny Pacquiao

Published

16 hours ago

January 25, 2021

Kelsey McCarson

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Ryan Garcia has just about everything he needs to become the next Canelo Alvarez, even the champ’s terrific training team led by Mexico’s Eddy Reynoso.

“It’s great, man. They support me. They stay by my side. They believe in me. They know what they see, even Canelo,” Garcia told me before his last fight.

So, it should come to no surprise that the 22-year-old lightweight contender would be attempting to pull off the same kind of trick that led to Alvarez’s first and only loss in the professional ranks, but the same one that probably helped the Mexican more than any other as a learning experience inside a boxing ring.

Just as Alvarez did in securing his 12-round dance with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in 2013, Garcia wants to sign up for the same kind of tango with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

“I’ve been boxing my whole life, and I’ve been ready for the biggest fights,” Garcia said.

Lots of fighters say things like that, but almost nobody actually attempts to do it.

Alvarez does.

Now, Garcia does, too.

“Canelo brings me to the side at times out of nowhere and says ‘you’re one of the most talented fighters I’ve ever seen in my life. I just want you to work as hard as I do and you’re going to have the world’,” Garcia said.

On Sunday, Garcia posted via Instagram that his dream fight vs. Pacquiao was a done deal, though it’s important to note no other confirmations of any kind have followed that post.

Additionally, the promotional poster used by the social media superstar in his announcement didn’t look official, and Pacquiao has remained eerily silent about the matter publicly.

Still, Garcia seems to believe his next fight will be against Pacquiao, and it must be a near-enough reality that everyone else involved with the matter has decided to remain silent until everything is sorted out.

“I want to leave a true legacy when I’m done with the game,” Garcia said.

That Garcia even wants to face Pacquiao right now testifies to that truth, and it’s absolutely something worth celebrating.

The undefeated Instagram idol might have over 8.3 million followers for many reasons, but the most notable claim Garcia has to the mantle of being boxing’s next big thing is less about those attributes and more about the talent, skill, and ability he possesses inside a boxing ring.

To put it another way, it’s one thing to be as handsome as Oscar De La Hoya. It’s quite another to actually fight like him.

Case in point, Garcia is coming off the most important win of his career.

Making good on his pre-fight promise to stop Olympic gold medalist and world title challenger Luke Campbell on January 2 was an important rung to take on the ladder to success, and that became especially true after Campbell dumped the prodigy to the canvas in the second round of the fight.

But Garcia weathered that early storm and eventually came back to pull the stoppage win over Campbell five rounds later.

Nobody had done that before. Campbell went 12 full rounds with both Vasyl Lomachenko and Jorge Linares in previous losing efforts against world-class lightweights, so Garcia’s stoppage win was more evidence that he’s legitimately special where it matters most.

After his viral knockout, Garcia was lauded by some of the most notable sports celebrities on the planet. The kid can barely purchase alcohol in all 50 states and his massive fanbase already includes the likes LeBron James, Damian Lillard, and Carlos Correa.

In some ways, that puts Garcia way ahead of Alvarez’s early all-star pace, at least at the level of notoriety.

Say what you want about Garcia’s social media-centric fanbase, the incredible level of fame the American has already achieved was previously only reserved for the likes of specific Olympic gold medal winners with a perfect mix of qualities.

De La Hoya comes to mind again, and that type of talent only comes around once a generation in our sport.

Look, Garcia isn’t ready for Pacquiao.

In fact, one can easily argue that the 23-year-old Alvarez that lost to Mayweather eight years ago was way more prepared for that fight than Garcia is right now for Pacquiao.

And we all know how that one went.

But Garcia’s daring attempt at making such a huge splash at such a young age is a wonder to behold.

A rising superstar like Garcia choosing to go against the conventional wisdom that would otherwise tell him to steer clear of fights he’ll probably lose is a breath of fresh air.

The reason he wants to do things like that is just as great.

“I have a gift. I’m a true talent. I can’t let all that go to waste,” Garcia said.

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Fulton Wins Inside War to Win WBO Title and Other Results from Connecticut

Published

2 days ago

January 23, 2021

David A. Avila

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This time Stephen Fulton passed the Covid-19 test and then out-worked Angelo Leo in a brutal inside war to take the WBO super bantamweight world title by unanimous decision on Saturday.

Philadelphia’s Fulton (19-0, 8 KOs) was supposed to box and move against the body puncher Leo (20-1, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas but instead banged his way to victory with an artful display of inside fighting at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

When Leo won the world title during this past summer, he was supposed to fight Fulton, but Fulton showed positive on a Covid-19 test and was forced out of the fight. Not this time. Instead, the Philly fighter would not be denied.

Fulton planted his feet and banged to the body against body shot artist Leo and kept it going toe-to-toe for most of the 12 rounds.

Leo had his moments and was able to start slightly quicker, but by the sixth round it seemed Fulton was the stronger fighter down the stretch.

“He started breathing a little harder,” said Fulton. “I pushed myself to the limit in training.”

It showed.

Fulton took control for the last four rounds and just seemed fresher and more active to win by unanimous decision. Despite fighting primarily inside, the Philly fighter seemed comfortable.

“The game plan was to box at first. But I had to get a little dirty,” Fulton said. “I made it a dog fight.”

All three judges scored it for Fulton: 118-110 and 119-109 twice. TheSweetscience.com scored it 115-113 for Fulton who now holds the WBO super bantamweight world title.

“I’m the only champion Philadelphia has,” said Fulton.

Aleem KOs Pasillas

A battle between undefeated power-hitting super bantamweights saw Ra’eese Aleem (18-0, 12 KOs) knock down East L.A.’s Vic Pasillas (16-1, 9 KOs) multiple times before ending the fight in the 11^th round.

“I believe I put an exclamation point in my victory,” said Aleem who trains in Las Vegas but is a native of Michigan.

Aleem showed off his quickness and power in both hands that resulted in knock downs of Pasillas in the second, sixth, ninth and 11^th rounds. It seemed that Pasillas never could figure out how to combat the awkward looping blows and quickness of Aleem.

Pasillas had a few moments with his ability to score with counter lefts and right hooks from his southpaw stance. But every time he scored big Aleem would rally back with even more explosive blows.

As Aleem mounted a large lead, Pasillas looked to set up a needed knockout blow but was instead caught with an overhand right to the chin and a finishing left that forced the referee to stop the fight at 1:00 of the 11^th round.

Aleem picks up the interim WBA super bantamweight title. It’s basically a title that signifies he is the number one contender.

Lightweights

Rolando Romero (13-0, 11 KOs) floored Avery Sparrow (10-3, 3 KOs) in the first round and then exhibited his boxing skills to win by technical knockout.

It looked like the fight was going to end early when Romero caught Sparrow with a left hook. But Philadelphia’s Sparrow survived the first round and the next few rounds to slow down the attacking Romero. Things settled down but Romero kept winning the rounds.

Sparrow dropped to the floor during an exchange of blows in the sixth round which the referee quickly ruled “no knockdown.” Noticeably in pain Sparrow was under full assault from Romero and resorted to firing low blows. The referee deducted two points from Sparrow for the infraction.

The Philadelphia fighter limped out with a still gimpy knee to compete in the seventh round but within a minute Sparrow’s corner signaled to the referee to stop the fight. The stoppage gave Romero the win by technical knockout at 43 seconds into the round.

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Boxers Fighting the Best and Doing It Again for the First Time: Part Two

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2021

Ted Sares

Boxers Fighting the Best and Doing It Again for the First Time: Part Two

As mentioned in Part One, the phrase “cherry picking” gained meaningful traction during the time “Money” Mayweather was making his run. A new and very simple business model seemed to fuel it; namely, make the most money the quickest way with the least amount of risk and that translated into fewer fights. The change was almost imperceptible.

WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. (31-1) has fought once a year sine 2014. WBO middleweight king Demetrius Andrade (39-0) started out fast but then fell into a less active mode. Wlad Klitschko began to pick his spots with more caution as he met the likes of Francesco Pianeta and Alex Leapai. Shane Mosley slowed down towards the end and even Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-1) has faded from the headlines after being stopped by Vasyl Lomachenko.

Back to the Future

Suddenly, however, a twist has emerged that suggests a new model may well be in the offing; to wit: make the most money the quickest way but with lesser regard to risk. Perhaps Daniel Dubois fighting Joe Joyce last November was an example. Translated, it could mean that the best will fight the best as they did in days of yore. If so, Mega- possibilities await.

“I Want All The Belts, No Easy Fights, I Want To Face The Best.” –Virgil Ortiz

Ryan “King Ry” Garcia (21-0) has called out everyone and anybody and it appears he might get his wish in Devin “The Dream” Haney (25-0) or maybe the exciting Gervonta “Tank” Davis (24-0).

The new breed of Davis, Garcia, Haney and Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez is being is being compared to the “Four Kings” (Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Duran) but a flattered Devin Haney wisely notes “those guys fought each other.”

In this connection, writer James Slater nails it as follows: “Right now, in today’s boxing world, Haney, Lopez, Davis and Garcia could all do well, they could win a title or two and they could pick up some huge paydays, without fighting each other. This is the state the sport is in these days. It’s up to the fighters to really WANT to take take the risks, to take on their most dangerous rivals. The ‘Four Kings’ did it, time and again, and this is what added enormously to their greatness.”

Teofimo Lopez did it. After shocking Richard Commey, he beat Vasyl Lomachenko in an even more shocking outcome and now wants George Kambosos, Jr. to step aside for a Devin Haney fight.

It doesn’t get any better than the specter of Errol Spence Jr. (27-0) fighting “Bud” Crawford (37-0) unless it’s Tyson Fury (30-0-1) meeting Anthony Joshua (24-1.) If Covid 19 is under control, they could do this one in front of 100,000 fans.

Josh Taylor has talked about challenging Lopez even if it means dropping down to lightweight, and then moving up to 147 to challenge Crawford or Spence.

Dillian Whyte rematching with Alexander Povetkin is another highly anticipated fray and has the added dimension of being a crossroads affair. Oleksandr Usyk will likely face off with Joe Joyce in Usyk’s first real test as a heavyweight.

In late February there’s a big domestic showdown in New Zealand between heavyweights Joseph Parker and Junior Fa. On that same date In London, Carl Frampton squares off with slick WBO 130-pound champion Jamel Herring.

And Juan Francisco Estrada rematching with a rejuvenated Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez has everyone’s attention.

Super exciting Joe Smith Jr. meets Russia’s Maxim Vlasov for the vacant WBA light heavyweight belt. What’s not to like?

The showdown between Miguel Berchelt (38-1) and Oscar Valdez (28-0) is the best on the February docket and could end up being a FOTY.

Speaking of FOTY’s, the prospect of Naoya “Monster” Inoue vs. Kazuto Ioka is as mouthwatering as it can get and has global appeal.

Meanwhile, Artur Beterbiev looms and it’s not a question of opponents as much as it’s a question of who wants to contend with his bludgeoning style of destruction.

Claressa Shields, Marie Eve Dicaire, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Delfine Persoon, Jessica McCaskill, and Layla McCarter are prepared to make female boxing sizzle. In the final analysis, when Vasyl Lomachenko becomes an opponent, you know something is very different.

You can read Part One HERE

Ted Sares can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com

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