SPORTS: Luis Manuel Rodríguez, professional boxing champion. (born in Camaguey)
Luis Manuel Rodríguez was born in Camaguey on March 14, 1937 and died in Miami, Florida July 8, 1996 (59 years old), he was a professional boxing champion. Known as “El Feo”, Rodriguez began his career in pre-Castro Havana. In Cuba, Rodriguez twice defeated the ill-fated future welterweight champion Benny Kid Paret.
After the Cuban Revolution, Rodríguez campaigned in the United States. Fighting out of Miami, Rodriguez decisioned top welterweights such as Virgil Akins and Rudell Stitch.
He was unbeaten in 36 fights before losing a split decision to Emile Griffith in a 1960 non-title fight. In 1963, Rodriguez and Griffith fought twice for the World Welterweight Championship. Rodriguez defeated Griffith by a unanimous decision to win the title, but Griffith regained it three months later with a split decision.
Their fourth and final meeting came in 1964, with Griffith retaining the welterweight title with a split decision.
In November 1969, Rodriguez challenged Nino Benvenuti in Rome, Italy, for the World Middleweight Championship. In the 11th round, slightly ahead on points but tiring and badly cut, Benvenuti suddenly landed a perfect left hook that left Rodriguez on the floor for 5 minutes.
Boxing record, total fights-121, Wins-107, Wins by KO-49, Losses-13.
Rodriguez retired in 1972. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.
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The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnoldo Varona, Editor.