Manuel Ramos (boxer)

Manuel Ramos (November 20, 1942 – June 6, 1999), nicknamed Pulgarcito (Tom Thumb), was a Mexican boxer and actor. 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. On June 24, 1968, Ramos became the first Mexican to challenge for the heavyweight crown when he fought reigning champion Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1][2]

Manuel Ramos
Statistics
Nickname(s)Pulgarcito
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
NationalityMexican
Born(1942-11-20)November 20, 1942
Hermosillo, Mexico
DiedJune 6, 1999(1999-06-06) (aged 56)
Mexico City, Mexico
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights56
Wins24
Wins by KO19
Losses29
Draws3
No contests0

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]

Manuel Ramos died from a heart attack in Mexico City on June 6, 1999.[12]

References
  1. Fernandez, Sr., Robert F. (August 6, 2014). Boxing in New Jersey, 1900-1999. McFarland. pp. 137–138. ISBN 9781476616070. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Google Books.
  2. Roste, Travis (March 1, 2010). "Heavyweight Autographs". Autograph Magazine. Archived from the original on June 30, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  3. "Manuel Ramos - Biography". BoxRec. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  4. Amato, Jim. "Manuel Ramos - Mexican Heavyweight". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  5. "Ernie Terrell, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champ, Dies At 75". The Huffington Post. December 19, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  6. Ryan, Joe (February 21, 2013). Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s: The Great Fighters and Rivalries. McFarland. p. 39. ISBN 9780786470747. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Google Books.
  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 April 1, 2022.
  8. Ryan, Joe (February 21, 2013). Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s: The Great Fighters and Rivalries. McFarland. p. 132. ISBN 9780786470747. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Google Books.
  9. Scott, Vernon (July 21, 1987). "Former Prizefighter A Heavyweight Movie Villain". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  10. "Liston: One More Shot". The Miami News. June 30, 1970. p. 4-B. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Ryan, Joe (February 21, 2013). Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s: The Great Fighters and Rivalries. McFarland. p. 95. ISBN 9780786470747. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Google Books.
  12. "Sports Roundup: Boxing". Miami Herald. June 9, 1999. p. 223. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Manuel Ramos - Record". BoxRec. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
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