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Willie Pastrano
American boxer

Willie Pastrano

The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
American boxer
Places
United States of America
was
Athlete Boxer
Work field
Sports
Gender
Male
Birth
27 November 1935 People who share this birthday
Place of birth
New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Death
6 December 1997 People who died on this day
Age
62 years
Stats
Height:
183
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano (November 27, 1935 – December 6, 1997) was a professional boxer who held the world light heavyweight crown from 1963 until 1965. He is the grandfather of New Orleans rapper Mr. Pastrano.

Early life

Pastrano was born in New Orleans. Pastrano's best friend, Ralph Dupas started training in boxing at a local gym. Pastrano, who weighed over 250 pounds, decided to start working out with his friend.

As Willie lost weight, he realized two things. First, he loved boxing. Second, he hated getting hit. So, Pastrano developed a style of boxing in which he hardly got hit, and in return, tried not to hurt his opponent as well.

Pastrano was already married as a teenager, and by 1962, he and his wife Faye, had five children; John (born 1955), Donna (1957), Frank (1959), Nicholas (1960), and Angelo (1962).

Pro career

Pastrano began his career at the age of 16. He fought many heavyweights and outpointed heavyweight contenders Rex Layne, Brian London and Tom McNeeley.

The talented Pastrano won the world light heavyweight championship when he outpointed the great Harold Johnson on a close 15-round decision. He successfully defended his crown by stopping Gregorio Peralta of Argentina on a TKO, and by coming back from a certain defeat on points to KO English challenger Terry Downes in 11 rounds in Manchester, England. Pastrano lost his crown when he was TKOed by José Torres in 10 rounds (the same fight where the ringside doctor asked if he knew where he was, leading to Pastrano's legendary line of "You're damn right I know where I am! I'm in Madison Square Garden getting the shit kicked out of me!"). In the Torres fight, Pastrano was knocked down for the only time in his career by a powerful left hook to the liver. Pastrano retired after that match and never fought again.

Managed by the legendary Angelo Dundee, Pastrano was a smooth, quick boxer with a great left hand. He was a stablemate of Cassius Clay and often sparred with the future champion early in Clay's career. His talent was dissipated by his aversion to training and a fondness for partying and carousing. His success was also limited by his lack of punching power, hence his record of only 14 knockout wins in his 84 fights. Nevertheless, he defeated most of the light heavyweight challengers of his generation. He also outpointed former light heavyweight champion Joey Maxim, and boxed a draw with the legendary Archie Moore. He retired with a record of 63 wins (14 by KO), 13 losses and 8 draws.

Perhaps in the high point of his career, Pastrano appeared on the cover of March 22, 1965 issue of Sports Illustrated with the caption reading "Light Heavyweight Willie Pastrano Ready to Defend His Title".

Life after boxing

After he retired from boxing, Pastrano became a spokesman for a local Miami, Florida milk company. On August 30, 1966 in the Milwaukee Sentinel, it was reported that Pastrano had been secretly training for a comeback, but an auto injury had sidelined it.

In 1967, Pastrano became the official host of the Presidential Steak House in Miami Beach, Florida.

However, urged on by his good friend, singer Steve Alaimo, Pastrano embarked on a film career which spanned from 1967 to 1971.

In 1964, Pastrano appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show.

Pastrano's best regarded acting role was in the "B" motorcycle gang film, The Wild Rebels, which starred Steve Alaimo.

Pastrano said in a 1980 interview he was a heroin addict from 1966 to 1969. In the same interview, he claimed to have robbed to support his drug addiction.

He became a drifter. Owen Thomas helped him out in his time of need.He worked as a host in a restaurant in Reno, Nevada; a chip runner in Las Vegas, and a bouncer in a strip-club in Miami

His well-documented party life-style led to health problems, and Pastrano's film career ended. While living in Las Vegas in the early 1970s, he claimed to be training for a comeback when interviewed for the book, In This Corner.

Pastrano was reported to be boxing in Puerto Rico in 1972, but a fighter was using a name similar to the former champion, Willie Pastrana. Pastrano never made a comeback.

In 1980, Pastrano was the manager for pro-boxer, Chubby Johnson in New Orleans.

After many years of failing health, Pastrano died of liver cancer on December 9, 1997 at the age of 62.

Professional boxing record

62 Wins (14 knockouts), 13 Losses (2 knockouts), 8 Draws
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRound
Time		DateLocationNotes
Loss62–13–8Puerto Rico José TorresTKO9 (15)
3:00		1965–03–30United States Madison Square Garden,
New York City		Lost WBA, WBC and Lineal Light heavyweight titles.
Win62–12–8England Terry DownesTKO11 (15)
1:17		1964–11–30England Kings Hall,
Manchester, North West England		Retained WBA, WBC and Lineal Light heavyweight titles.
Win61–12–8Argentina Gregorio PeraltaTKO5 (15)
3:00		1964–04–10United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans, Louisiana		Retained WBA, WBC and Lineal Light heavyweight titles.
Win60–12–8South Africa Mike HoltPTS101963–11–30South Africa Rand Stadium,
Johannesburg, Gauteng		Non-title fight.
Loss59–12–8Argentina Gregorio PeraltaUD101963–09–20United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida		Non-title fight.
Win59–11–8United States Ollie WilsonUD101963–08–31United States Jacksonville Coliseum,
Jacksonville, Florida		Non-title fight.
Win58–11–8United States Harold JohnsonSD151963–06–01United States Las Vegas Convention Center,
Paradise, Nevada		Won WBA, WBC and Lineal Light heavyweight titles.
Win57–11–8United States Wayne ThorntonMD101963–05–04United States Las Vegas Convention Center,
Paradise, Nevada
Draw56–11–8United States Wayne ThorntonMD101963–03–23United States Madison Square Garden,
New York City
Loss56–11–7United States Wayne ThorntonUD101963–02–09United States Madison Square Garden,
New York City
Win56–10–7Argentina Rodolfo DiazSD101962–09–08United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win55–10–7United States Billy RyanUD101962–06–25United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Draw54–10–7United States Archie MooreMD101962–05–28United States Los Angeles Sports Arena,
Los Angeles
Win54–10–6United States Tom McNeeleyUD101962–05–01United States Boston Arena,
Boston
Draw53–10–6Sweden Lennart RisbergPTS121961–08–06Sweden Stockholm Olympic Stadium,
Stockholm, Södermanland
Loss53–10–5United States Jesse BowdryUD101960–12–27United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Loss53–9–5Scotland Chic CalderwoodPTS101960–09–16Scotland Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Win53–8–5United States Sonny RayUD101960–06–01United States Chicago Stadium,
Chicago, Illinois
Win52–8–5United States Alonzo JohnsonUD101960–05–06United States Fairgrounds Coliseum,
Louisville, Kentucky
Win51–8–5United States George KartalianRTD6 (10)1960–04–09United States Bell Auditorium,
Augusta, Georgia
Win50–8–5United States Jerry LuedeeUD101960–01–20United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win49–8–5Canada Charley PavlisUD101959–12–07United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory,
Tampa, Florida
Win48–8–5United States Tom DavisTKO3 (10)1959–08–20United States Knoxville, Tennessee
Loss47–8–5United States Alonzo JohnsonUD101959–07–24United States Freedom Hall State Fairground,
Louisville, Kentucky
Loss47–7–5Wales Joe ErskinePTS101959–02–24England Wembley Stadium,
London
Loss47–6–5England Brian LondonTKO5 (10)1958–09–30England Harringay Arena,
London
Win47–5–5United States Tommy ThompsonKO4 (10)
2:31		1958–08–25United States City Auditorium,
Columbus, Georgia
Win46–5–5Italy Franco CavicchiPTS101958–06–15Italy Sports Palace,
Bologna
Win45–5–5Jamaica Joe BygravesPTS101958–04–21England Granby Halls,
Leicester
Win44–5–5England Brian LondonPTS101958–02–25England Harringay Arena,
London
Win43–5–5Germany Willi BesmanoffUD101957–11–27United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win42–5–5Wales Dick RichardsonPTS101957–10–22England Harringay Arena,
London
Win41–5–5United States George PeytonTKO8 (10)1957–09–10United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Loss40–5–5United States Roy HarrisUD101957–06–11United States Houston
Win40–4–5United States Neal WelchUD101957–05–14United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win39–4–5United States John HolmanUD101957–02–20United States State Fairgrounds,
Louisville, Kentucky
Win38–4–5United States Charley NorkusUD101956–12–26United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win37–4–5United States Pat McMurtryUD101956–08–24United States Lincoln Bowl,
Tacoma, Washington
Win36–4–5United States Chuck SpieserSD101956–05–30United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
Win35–4–5South Africa Johnny ArthurUD101956–04–04United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
Draw34–4–5United States Chuck SpieserPTS101956–01–27United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win34–4–4United States Rex LayneUD101955–12–19United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
Win33–4–4United States Joey RowanUD101955–11–18United States Madison Square Garden,
New York City
Win32–4–4United States Paddy YoungUD101955–10–03United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
Win31–4–4United States Chuck SpieserUD101955–07–27United States Chicago Stadium,
Chicago
Win30–4–4United States Joey MaximUD101955–06–28United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
Draw29–4–4United States Willie TroyPTS101955–04–22United States Chicago Stadium,
Chicago
Win29–4–3United States Al AndrewsUD101955–03–23United States Chicago Stadium,
Chicago
Win28–4–3United States Tony JohnsonUD101955–03–01United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win27–4–3United States Bobby DykesUD101954–11–23United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win26–4–3United States Jackie LaBuaSD101954–09–14United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win25–4–3United States Jimmy MartinezPTS101954–08–24United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win24–4–3United States Tommy BazzanoTKO8 (10)1954–08–09United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win23–4–3United States Tommy HatcherKO1 (10)1954–06–18United States Abba Temple Auditorium,
Mobile, Alabama
Win22–4–3France Jacques Royer-CrecyUD101954–04–12United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win21–4–3United States Jimmy MartinezUD101954–03–29United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Loss20–4–3Italy Italo ScortichiniSD101953–11–30United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win20–3–3United States Elmer BeltzMD81953–10–05United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Draw19–3–3United States Elmer BeltzPTS101953–09–22United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Loss19–3–2United States Del FlanaganSD81953–07–14United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Loss19–2–2United States Johnny CesarioMD81953–05–25United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win19–1–2Mexico Chato HernandezUD81953–04–06United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win18–1–2United States Roger TrevinoUD81953–03–16United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win17–1–2United States Chick BoucherTKO3 (10)
1:08		1953–03–03United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win16–1–2United States Emerson ButcherUD81953–02–24United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win15–1–2Italy Alfredo LaGruttaUD81953–01–26United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Draw14–1–2United States Alvin PellegriniMD81952–12–15United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win14–1–1United States Alvin BoudreauxTKO2 (6)
1:59		1952–11–24United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win13–1–1United States Alvin PellegriniUD61952–11–17United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win12–1–1United States Lonnie RylantKO3 (6)
1:44		1952–10–14United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Loss11–1–1United States Alvin PellegriniPTS61952–10–06United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win11–0–1United States Johnny CapitanoPTS61952–09–08United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win10–0–1United States Sonny LucianoPTS81952–08–19United States Miami Beach, Florida
Win9–0–1United States Sonny LucianoPTS81952–08–05United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win8–0–1United States Jimmy CarterKO4 (6)
1:00		1952–07–28United States Sports Palace,
Pensacola, Florida
Win7–0–1United States Al McCoyKO2 (6)1952–07–22United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win6–0–1United States John ChaneyPTS61952–07–08United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Win5–0–1United States Buzz BrownKO2 (4)
2:56		1952–07–01United States Miami Beach Auditorium,
Miami Beach, Florida
Draw4–0–1United States Alvin PellegriniPTS41952–04–21United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win4–0United States Alvin BoudreauxPTS41952–04–01United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win3–0United States Jimmy ConinoPTS41951–10–01United States Coliseum Arena,
New Orleans
Win2–0United States Frankie SpeedPTS41951–09–17United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
Win1–0Puerto Rico Domingo RiveraPTS41951–09–10United States Municipal Auditorium,
New Orleans
The contents of this page are sourced from Wikipedia article. The contents are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Lists
Willie Pastrano is in following lists

By field of work

Notable American athletes

Gender:Male, Born in:Years 1930 to 1969

By work and/or country

Notable American Athletes

Gender:Male, Born in:Years 1930 to 1969

Notable American Boxers

Gender:Male, Born in:Years 1930 to 1969
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