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Mando Ramos

American boxer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Armando Ramos (November 15, 1948 July 6, 2008) was an American professional boxer[1] and the former Undisputed Lightweight Champion.[2] He was born in Long Beach, California.[3] Armando "Mando" Ramos was one of the most popular fighters in Southern California during the 1960s.[4] Ramos was an outstanding amateur.[5]

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Professional career

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Mando Ramos turned pro at age 17 using a forged birth certificate.[citation needed] Mando went on to fight the main event at the Olympic Auditorium by his 8th pro fight.[6] At the age of 18 Mando defeated the reigning Jr. Lightweight Champ, Japan's Hiroshi Kobayashi, in a non-title bout. When offered a re-match for the title, Ramos refused to fight for a 'Junior' title.[7]

World Lightweight Champion

He demanded to fight dangerous Lightweight Champ Carlos Ortiz—Ortiz, who had dominated the division for over a decade.[8] Negotiations were in place, but Ortiz was upset by 'Teo' Cruz and so Ramos took the fight to the new champ, narrowly losing in a decision. Ramos won the re-match via KO to become the youngest Lightweight Champion in history.[9] Cruz would only live 11 more months. He died in a plane crash in January 1970 alongside the Puerto Rican national women's volleyball team at the Dominicana DC-9 air disaster.

When a Mando Ramos fight was held in Los Angeles, movie stars such as John Wayne, Bill Cosby, Kirk Douglas, Liz Taylor and Connie Stevens attended [citation needed]. Women caught Mandomania, and Hollywood loved 'The Wonder Boy'.[10][11]

Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Jackie McCoy,[12] Ramos fought ten World title fights, was a two-time champion and earned millions of dollars. Whilst Mickey Mantle and Joe Namath earned 100k per season, Ramos was earning 100k per fight. He was the world's highest paid teenager[citation needed] and his purses were larger than anyone but Muhammad Ali's[citation needed]. McCoy stated Mando was the most naturally talented fighter he had ever seen in his life.[13]

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Retirement

Tough fights, drugs, and alcohol put the brakes on his career. By age 24 Ramos was out of boxing.[14] With the aid of his wife, Sylvia Van Hecke, Ramos became clean and sober over his last three decades.[15] He founded a non-profit youth organization---B.A.A.D.--boxing against alcohol and drugs— and coached, mentored, and trained inner-city at-risk youths.[16][17]

Mando Ramos died suddenly at his home in San Pedro, California on July 6, 2008.[18][19]

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Professional boxing record

More information 49 fights, 37 wins ...
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Titles in boxing

Major world titles

The Ring magazine titles

Undisputed titles

See also

References

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