Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano (November 27, 1935—December 6, 1997) was a light heavyweight boxer who held the world crown from 1963 until 1965. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.
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Early life
Pastrano was born in New Orleans. Pastrano's best friend, Ralph Dupas started training in boxing at a local gym. Ralph Dupas (b October 14, 1935, d 25 January 2008) was a boxer from New Orleans who won the world Light middleweight 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. Rex Layne was born in Lewiston, Utah on June 7, 1928. He died on June 7, 2000 Background According to the Brian London (real name Brian Sidney Harper, born 19 June, 1934 in West Hartlepool is a retired English Heavyweight Thomas "Tom" McNeeley Jr. (born February 27, 1937) was a Heavyweight boxer in the 1950s and 1960s
The talented Pastrano won the light heavyweight championship when he outpointed the great Harold Johnson on a close 15 round decision. Harold Johnson (born August 9, 1928, in Manayunk Pennsylvania) was a professional boxer. 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. Gregorio Manuel Peralta ( May 8, 1935 &ndash October 3, 2001) better known as Gregorio "Goyo" Peralta, was an Argentine For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Terry Downes, (born in Paddington, London on May 9, 1936) is a retired British middleweight boxer England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Pastrano lost his crown when he was TKOed by Jose Torres in 10 rounds. José "Chegui" Torres, (born May 3, 1936) is a retired Puerto Rican professional boxer In the Torres fight, Pastrano was knocked down for the only time in his career by a powerful left hook to the kidney. 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. Angelo Mirena (born August 30, 1921 in Philadelphia PA) better known in the Boxing world as Angelo Dundee, is a boxing cornerman He was a stablemate of Cassius Clay and often sparred with the future champion early in Clay's career. Biography Early life Cassius Clay Jr was born on January 17 1942 His talent was dissipated by his aversion to training and a fondness for partying and carousing. 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. Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli, ( March 28 1922 &ndash June 2 2001) was an American boxer. Before Boxing Moore often found himself in trouble as a youngster and was in a reformatory until 1934 He retired with a record of 63 wins (14 by KO), 13 losses and 8 draws.
| Preceded by Harold Johnson |
World Light Heavyweight Champion 1 Jun 1963–30 Mar 1965 |
Succeeded by Jose Torres |
References
- Internet Movie Database. Harold Johnson may refer to Harold Johnson (boxer (born 1928 Harold Keith Johnson (1912&ndash1983 American general This is a chronological List of World Light Heavyweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations The World Boxing Association José "Chegui" Torres, (born May 3, 1936) is a retired Puerto Rican professional boxer
- Ring Magazine, September 1967, page 50: BRENNAN STOPS PONDER IN BAHAMAS KICKOFF, by Harley Oakes.
External links
- Professional boxing record for Willie Pastrano from Boxrec
- Willie Pastrano at the Internet Movie Database
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