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Carlos Monzón
Argentine boxer

Carlos Monzón

The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
Argentine boxer
A.K.A.
Carlos Monzon
Places
Work field
Gender
Male
Place of birth
Santa Fe, La Capital Department, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Place of death
Santa Rosa de Calchines, Garay Department, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Age
52 years
Family
Spouse:
Alicia Muñiz
Stats
Height:
181
Weight:
80
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Carlos Monzón (August 7, 1942 – January 8, 1995) was an Argentine professional boxer who held the Undisputed World Middleweight Championship for 7 years. He successfully defended his title 14 times and is widely regarded as not only one of the best middleweights in history but also one of the greatest boxers of all time. Known for his speed, punching power and relentless work rate, Monzon ended his career with a record of 87-3-9 with 59 knockouts, each one of his losses were early in his career and were avenged. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, he was chosen by The Ring magazine in 2002 as the 11th greatest fighter of the last 80 years.

Argentines adored Monzon throughout his career. His glamorous and violent life was avidly followed both by the media and Argentine people. He was, however, accused many times of domestic violence by his two wives and many mistresses, and of beating paparazzi. Charged with killing his wife Alicia Muñiz in Mar del Plata in 1988, the former champion was sentenced to 11 years in jail. He died in a January 1995 car crash during a weekend furlough.

Early life

Monzón was born in the city of San Javier, Argentina. His parents were Roque Monzón and Amalia Ledesma, who were of Mocoví descent. Monzón was raised in poverty with his twelve siblings. When Monzón was six years old, his family moved to Barranquitas Oeste, a poor neighborhood, of Santa Fe, the capital of Santa Fe Province. To help out his family, he quit school in third grade, working different jobs, such as shoe shiner, paper boy and milk man. As a youngster, he showed an interest in boxing.

When he was sixteen, he met Zulema Encarnación Torres, with whom he had his first son, Carlos Alberto Monzón. Later, on May 11, 1962, he married Mercedes Beatriz García, nicknamed 'Pelusa.' They were so poor that they did not have enough money to buy the marriage license. They had three kids: Silvia Beatriz, Abel Ricardo and Carlos Raúl (adopted).

Boxing beginnings

Monzón had his first amateur fight on October 2, 1959. This first fight ended in a draw. Three years later, after a 73-6-8 amateur record, he became a professional. His first professional bout was held on February 6, 1963. He knocked out his opponent in the second round. In 1966, he won the Argentine Middleweight title. In 1967, he won the South American Middleweight title. After this success, Argentine boxing promoter Juan Carlos Lectoure pushed him into the international boxing scene by organizing fights with foreign boxers such as Douglas Huntley, Charles Austin, Johnny Brooks, Harold Richardson, Tommy Bethea, Manoel Severino and Eddy Pace.

World Middleweight Champion Nino Benvenuti had long had a distinguished career that included championships in 2 divisions and 2 wins in 3 bouts vs all-time great Emile Griffith. He had lost the year before to American Tom Bethea in Australia, but in an actual title fight in Yugoslavia, he avenged that loss.

Nobody expected Monzón to beat Benvenuti in their title match (very few knew of him). Yet Monzón applied pressure from the start, and in the 12th, a right hand landed perfectly on Benvenuti's chin, and the title changed hands. Monzón also beat Benevenuti in a rematch, this time in only three rounds in Monte Carlo when his seconds threw in the towel.

Champion

In 1971, Monzón became only the second man to stop former three-time world champion Emile Griffith in 14 rounds, and later out-pointed him over 15 in a close fight (before the fight Monzón had to spar three rounds and run three miles in order to make the weight). Monzón then scored a win over tough Philadelphian Bennie Briscoe, over-coming a shakey 9th round, in which Briscoe almost scored a knockout; a knockout in five rounds over European Champion Tom Bogs, a knockout in seven rounds over Cuban-Mexican José Mantequilla Nápoles in Paris, France and a 10-round knockout of tough Tony Licata of New Orleans at the Madison Square Garden, in what would turn out to be Monzón's only fight in the United States.

Monzón's Middleweight Championship title was lifted in 1975 by the WBC for not defending it against mandatory challenger Rodrigo Valdez. Valdez, a Colombian, won the WBC's title, while Monzón kept the WBA's Championship. In 1976, they finally met, this time, world champion vs. world champion.

Valdez's brother had been shot to death one week prior to the fight and he did not feel like fighting. Still, the fight went on, as they were both under contract. It took place in Monte Carlo. Monzón handed Valdez a beating, winning a 15-round unanimous decision and unifying the world title once again. Facing a lack of good challengers, Monzón was offered a high purse to again fight the Colombian.

The second fight was different. Monzón-Valdez II is a classic. Valdez came out roaring this time. In the second round, right cross to the chin put Monzón down for the first and only time in his career. Valdez built a lead through the first part of the fight. Monzón, however, mounted a brilliant comeback and outboxed Valdez for the last 8 rounds, winning a unanimous decision to retain the title and score his 14th title defense.

Retirement

Monzón retired after the second Valdez fight defense. His record stands at 87 wins, only three losses, nine draws and one no contest. Of his wins, 59 came by knockout. His only losses were by points and early in his career. In 2003, he was named by the Ring Magazine as one of the 100 greatest punchers of all time. On the independent computer-based ranking of boxrec.com, he is listed as the second best middleweight boxer of all time after Sugar Ray Robinson.

Following Monzón's victory Mantequilla Nápoles, Angelo Dundee said: "Monzón is the complete fighter. He can box, he can hit, he can think, and he is game all the way."

Before retirement, in 1974, he starred in La Mary, a hit movie directed by Daniel Tinayre. After retirement, he participated as an actor in a couple of Argentine movies, which were not very successful, and TV shows.

A monument to him stands in Santa Fe, Argentina.

Personal life

Monzón was tremendously popular throughout his career. During Monzon's fights, Argentina would stand still, cities had no traffic, and all TV sets and radios were tuned to the fight. While filming La Mary, he met famous Argentine actress and model Susana Giménez. They started a tumultuous relationship, which led to Monzón's divorce. Since then, his glamorous and sometimes violent life was avidly followed by the media. He toured Latin America and Europe with Argentine and Italian models and actresses.

While still a champion, a darker side of Monzón began to emerge. In 1973, Monzón was shot in the leg by his wife, requiring seven hours of surgery to remove the bullet. In 1975, he began a very publicized romance with Susana Giménez; they had previously met in the 1974 thriller La Mary, directed by Daniel Tinayre, where the two played husband and wife. Monzón hated paparazzi who detailed his affairs. He went to Italy with Giménez to participate in a movie, and started increasingly traveling with her to locations in Brazil and the rest of Latin America, allowing himself be seen with her, although still married. He was accused of domestic violence and of beating paparazzi.

Soon the beatings he gave Giménez became public knowledge. Monzón was repeatedly detained by the police. Giménez began wearing sunglasses more often, presumably to hide her bruises, and many times, paparazzi had to be hospitalized from the beatings suffered at the hands of Monzón, who had unpredictable violent outbreaks. During this period, Monzón divorced his wife.

Susana Giménez left him in 1978. After the breakup, Monzón's private life was fairly low key. In 1979, he met Uruguayan model Alicia Muñiz, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship for many years. They eventually married and had a child together, Maximiliano Roque. But his violent behavior continued. In 1988, while vacationing in the resort city of Mar del Plata, after a heated argument, he beat Muñiz, followed her to the balcony of their second floor apartment and, presumably after a physical fight, threw her off the balcony and jumped after her. According to the investigation he strangled her, picked her up and pushed her off the balcony, killing her, after which he followed her in the fall, injuring his shoulder. In 1989, he was found guilty of homicide. He received an 11-year prison sentence.

On January 1995, Monzón was given a weekend furlough while serving his term in Cárcel de Las Flores, Santa Fe Province, to visit his family and children. On January 8, 1995, when returning to jail after the weekend, he and a passenger, Gerónimo Domingo Mottura, were killed instantly when the vehicle rolled over near Santa Rosa de Calchines. The other passenger, Monzon's sister-in-law Alicia Guadalupe Fessia, was injured.

Even in death, Monzón drew a crowd. Thousands sang "Dale campeón" ("Go Champ") during his funeral.

Professional boxing record

87 Wins (59 knockouts, 28 decisions), 3 Losses, 9 Draws, 1 No Contest
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRd., TimeDateLocationNotes
Win87-3-9Colombia Rodrigo ValdézUD151977-07-30Monaco Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monte CarloRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win86-3-9Colombia Rodrigo ValdézUD151976-06-26Monaco Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monte CarloRetained WBA, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Won WBC Middleweight title.
Win85-3-9France Gratien TonnaKO5 (15)1975-12-13France Nouvelle Hippodrome, Paris, Île-de-FranceRetained WBA, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win84-3-9United States Tony LicataTKO10 (15), 2:431975-06-30United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New YorkRetained WBA, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win83-3-9Australia Tony MundineKO7 (15)1974-10-05Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalRetained WBA, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win82-3-9Cuba José NápolesRTD7 (15), 3:001974-02-09France Puteaux, Hauts-de-SeineRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win81-3-9France Jean-Claude BouttierUD151973-09-29France Stade Roland Garros, Paris, Île-de-FranceRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win80-3-9United States Virgin Islands Emile GriffithUD151973-06-02Monaco Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monte CarloRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win79-3-9United States Roy DaleKO5 (10)1973-05-05Italy Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome, LazioA non-title fight.
Win78-3-9United States Bennie BriscoeUD151972-11-11Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win77-3-9Denmark Tom BogsTKO5 (15)1972-08-19Denmark Idraetsparken, CopenhagenRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win76-3-9France Jean-Claude BouttierTKO13 (15)1972-06-17France Colombes Stadium, Paris, Île-de-FranceRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win75-3-9United States Denny MoyerTKO5 (15), 1:501972-03-04Italy Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome, LazioRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win74-3-9United States Fraser ScottTKO3 (10), 0:011971-12-04Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalA non-title fight.
Win73-3-9United States Virgin Islands Emile GriffithTKO14 (15), 2:321971-09-25Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win72-3-9Italy Nino BenvenutiTKO3 (15), 1:051971-05-08Monaco Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monte CarloRetained WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
Win71-3-9United States Roy LeeKO2 (10)1971-03-06Argentina Santa Fe, Santa FeA non-title fight.
Win70-3-9Argentina Domingo GuerreroKO2 (10)1971-02-19Argentina Salta, SaltaA non-title fight.
Win69-3-9United States Charley AustinKO2 (10)1970-12-19Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalA non-title fight.
Win68-3-9Italy Nino BenvenutiTKO12 (15)1970-11-07Italy Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome, LazioWon WBA, WBC, The Ring & Lineal Middleweight titles.
The Ring magazine's "Fight of the Year" (1970)
Win67-3-9Dominican Republic Santiago RosaKO4 (10)1970-09-19Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win66-3-9United States Eddie PacePTS101970-07-18Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win65-3-9Argentina Adolfo Jorge CardozoTKO3 (10)1970-04-18Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win64-3-9Argentina Juan AguilarRTD9 (10)1970-03-07Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win63-3-9Argentina Antonio AguilarKO5 (12)1970-02-11Argentina Mar del Plata, Buenos AiresRetained Argentina (FAB) Middleweight title
Win62-3-9Peru Carlos EstradaKO2 (10)1969-12-12Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win61-3-9Brazil Manoel SeverinoKO6 (12)1969-09-27Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalRetained South American Middleweight title
Win60-3-9Argentina Emilio Ale AliTKO7 (10)1969-09-05Argentina San Miguel, Tucumán
Win59-3-9United States Tom BetheaPTS101969-08-09Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win58-3-9United States Harold RichardsonKO3 (10)1969-07-05Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win57-3-9Argentina Carlos Alberto SalinasTKO7 (10)1969-06-06Argentina Paraná, Entre Ríos
Draw56-3-9Argentina Carlos Alberto SalinasPTS101969-04-25Argentina Recreativo Bochas Club, Paraná, Entre Ríos
Win56-3-8Argentina Mario TabordaKO3 (10)1969-03-14Argentina Club Sportivo, Presidencia Roque Saenz Pena, Chaco
Win55-3-8Uruguay Ruben OrricoKO9 (12)1969-01-10Argentina Santa Fe, Santa FeRetained South American Middleweight title
Win54-3-8Argentina Emilio Ale AliPTS101968-12-20Argentina Mendoza, Mendoza
Win53-3-8United States Johnny BrooksPTS101968-12-07Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win52-3-8United States Charley AustinUD101968-10-23Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win51-3-8United States Doug HuntleyKO4 (10)1968-08-14Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win50-3-8Argentina Benito SanchezKO4 (10)1968-07-05Argentina Chaco, Chaco
Win49-3-8Argentina Juan AguilarPTS101968-06-20Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win48-3-8Argentina Alberto MassiPTS101968-05-17Argentina Córdoba, Córdoba
Draw47-3-8Argentina Juan AguilarPTS101968-04-05Argentina Mendoza, Mendoza
Win47-3-7Panama Tito MarshallPTS101967-11-18Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win46-3-7Argentina Ramon D RochaKO7 (10)1967-10-20Argentina San Juan, La Rioja
Win45-3-7Peru Carlos EstradaKO7 (10)1967-10-06Argentina Trelew, Chubut
Win44-3-7Argentina Ramon D RochaPTS101967-09-08Argentina Rosario, Santa Fe
Win43-3-7Panama Tito MarshallPTS101967-08-16Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win42-3-7Argentina Antonio AguilarKO9 (10)1967-07-29Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win41-3-7Argentina Jorge FernandezUD121967-06-10Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalWon South American Middleweight title
Draw40-3-7United States Bennie BriscoePTS121967-05-06Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win40-3-6Argentina Benito SanchezTKO3 (10)1967-04-09Argentina Santa Elena, Entre Ríos
Win39-3-6Argentina Angel Alberto CoriaKO6 (10)1967-03-25Argentina Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires
Win38-3-6Argentina Osvaldo MarinoKO7 (10)1967-03-09Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win37-3-6Argentina Alberto MassiPTS101967-02-15Argentina San Francisco, Santa Fe
Win36-3-6Argentina Eudoro RobledoKO4 (10)1967-01-27Argentina Charata, Chaco
Win35-3-6Argentina Carlos Alberto SalinasKO8 (10)1967-01-13Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win34-3-6Uruguay Marcelo FariasKO3 (10)1966-12-23Argentina San Cristóbal, Santa Fe
Win33-3-6Argentina Alberto MassiTKO8 (10)1966-12-02Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win32-3-6Uruguay Luis Antonio PereyraTKO2 (10)1966-11-18Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win31-3-6Argentina Angel Alberto CoriaPTS101966-10-01Argentina Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires
Win30-3-6Argentina Jorge FernandezUD121966-09-03Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito FederalWon Argentina (FAB) Middleweight title
Win29-3-6Argentina Benito SanchezKO4 (10)1966-07-08Argentina San Pereyra
Draw28-3-6Argentina Ubaldo Marcos BustosPTS101966-06-03Argentina Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz
Win28-3-5Argentina Ismael HamzeTKO9 (10)1966-04-29Argentina San Nicolas, Santiago del Estero
Win27-3-5Argentina Norberto JuncosKO7 (10)1966-02-17Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win26-3-5Argentina Ramon D RochaPTS101966-02-04Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Win25-3-5Argentina Carlos Alberto SalinasPTS101965-12-29Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win24-3-5Argentina Antonio AguilarPTS101965-12-08Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win23-3-5Argentina Celedonio LimaKO5 (10)1965-11-17Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win22-3-5Argentina Gregorio GomezPTS101965-10-06Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Draw21-3-5Brazil Manoel SeverinoPTS81965-08-28Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Draw21-3-4Brazil Manoel SeverinoPTS81965-08-14Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Win21-3-3Brazil Felipe CambeiroPTS81965-08-01Brazil São Paulo, São Paulo
Win20-3-3Argentina Alberto RetondoTKO8 (10)1965-07-14Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win19-3-3Argentina Anibal CordobaPTS101965-05-19Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Draw18-3-3Argentina Emilio Ale AliPTS101965-04-09Argentina San Miguel, Tucumán
Win18-3-2Argentina Andres Antonio SelpaPTS101965-03-11Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
Draw17-3-2Argentina Andres Antonio SelpaPTS101965-01-08Argentina Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires
Draw17-3-1Argentina Celedonio LimaPTS101964-11-18Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win17–3Argentina Francisco GilabertRTD4 (10)1964-10-28Argentina Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Loss16–3Argentina Alberto MassiUD101964-10-09Argentina Cordoba Sport Club, Córdoba, Córdoba
Win16–2Argentina Francisco OleaKO9 (10)1964-09-25Argentina Tostado, Santa Fe
Win15–2Argentina Americo VaccaKO3 (10)1964-09-04Argentina Paraná, Entre Ríos
Win14–2Argentina Juan Carlos DiazKO9 (10)1964-08-14Argentina Villa Ángela, Chaco
Win13–2Argentina Walter VillaKO9 (10)1964-07-24Argentina Ceres, Santa Fe
Win12–2Argentina Roberto Eduardo CarabajalPTS101964-07-10Argentina Tostado, Santa Fe
Loss11–2Brazil Felipe CambeiroPTS81964-06-28Brazil Auditorium Río TV, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Win11–1Argentina Angel Alberto CoriaPTS81964-06-13Argentina Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires
Win10–1Argentina Roberto Eduardo CarabajalKO8 (8)1964-01-17Argentina Paraná, Entre Ríos
Win9–1Argentina Rene SosaKO6 (8)1963-12-06Argentina Paraná, Entre Ríos
Win8–1Argentina Benito SanchezKO8 (10)1963-10-18Argentina Reconquista, Santa Fe
Loss7–1Argentina Antonio AguilarPTS101963-08-28Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win7–0Argentina Lisandro GuzmánKO3 (8)1963-08-09Argentina Córdoba, Córdoba
Win6–0Argentina Andres CejasKO4 (6)1963-07-17Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
Win5–0Argentina Jose N RodriguezKO5 (6)1963-05-31Argentina Paraná, Entre Ríos
Win4–0Argentina Raul Elio RivasKO5 (10)1963-05-03Argentina Posadas, Misiones
Win3–0Argentina Mario SuarezTKO8 (10)1963-04-12Argentina Posadas, Misiones
Win2–0Argentina Albino VeronTKO2 (6)1963-04-09Argentina Santa Fe, Santa Fe
NC1–0Argentina Albino VeronN/D1 (6)1963-03-13Argentina Vila, Santa Fe
Win1-0Argentina Ramón MontenegroKO2 (6)1963-02-06Argentina Club Sportivo Ben Hur, Rafaela, Santa FeProfessional Debut
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