There’s a new film within the works on former welterweight champion Carlos Palomino, and the previous champ who did some performing work after hanging up the gloves positive has some story to inform. At this time, “King Carlos” turns the milestone age of 75, but he positive seems, sounds, and comes throughout as a a lot youthful man. Palomino is among the best residing fighters, and he’s in nice form; the Mexican who was born into poverty has efficiently navigated all the harmful pitfalls the ring can throw at any fighter.
And although Palomino misplaced the 2 largest fights of his profession, these being fights with Roberto Duran (L10) and Wilfred Benitez (LS15 – a “theft” says Palomino), the person born in Sonora, Mexico, positive gained some huge ones. Palomino, for a time, was a visiting fighter who broke British hearts; his wins over John H. Stracey (from whom Palomino took the WBC welterweight title), and Dave “Boy” Inexperienced (the person Palomino says hit him the toughest he was ever hit) seeing him cease two of the UK’s hottest fighters of the day.
And in holding the crown for 3 years, throughout which era he made a powerful seven title retentions, Palomino confirmed how good he was. Astonishingly match (Carlos would run a heck of plenty of miles throughout coaching, this serving his fuel tank so nicely), Palomino was a fearsome physique puncher, he had a fantastic chin, and Palomino was a fighter who would typically come on sturdy within the later phases of a combat, the 15 spherical distance being one thing he was most comfy with and is saddened to now not see within the sport.
Palomino was by no means stopped, and he confronted each a peak Duran (the Duran Palomino fought in June of 1979, this in a non-title bout, simply may need been one of the best model of Duran the world ever noticed) and a peak Benitez (to whom Carlos misplaced the title, simply 5 months earlier than moving into with Roberto). Wins over Armando Muniz (twice) got here throughout his reign, and Palomino, win or lose, all the time gained over the followers.
After studying his craft and getting his physique in prime form within the Military – Palomino gained the Nationwide AAU title at welterweight, defeating future Olympic gold medal winner Sugar Ray Seales –the 23-year-old went professional. Quickly a significant attraction in Los Angeles, on the Olympic Auditorium, a hungry and decided, all the time fantastically conditioned Palomino labored his approach up the rankings. After an in depth factors loss to Andy Worth in August of 1974, Palomino boxed attracts with Zovek Barajas (adopted by a win over Barajas) and Hedgemon Lewis earlier than touring to London to problem Stracey in June of 1976. Palomino broke Stracey down, his hurtful physique photographs tearing the combat out of the defending champion.
The British followers beloved Palomino, this regardless of him taking down their hero. Palomino had a approach of profitable over a crowd, this resulting from his pleasing to observe combating type and his sheer class and humble persona. Palomino stopped Muniz late, whereas he survived a wobble in opposition to Inexperienced earlier than stopping him late additionally, this combat proving to be one other nice go to to London. Lastly, after a second win over the teak-tough Muniz, this time a call win, Palomino was dethroned by Benitez in Puerto Rico.
Then got here a battle with a completely fearsome, totally tuned-in Duran, and Carlos, who had promised himself he would get out at age 30, stored his phrase after seeing it to the ultimate bell in opposition to a Duran that may have made a lesser man give up on the evening he confronted him in New York.
However a comeback got here, fairly astonishingly, in 1997. Palomino, now aged 48 but trying a lot youthful, managed 4 good wins over first rate fighters earlier than he dropped a call in opposition to Wilfredo Rivera in Could of 1998. Palomino exited, for good, with a 31-4-3(19) file. In retirement, each retirements from the ring, Carlos starred in a memorable beer industrial, and he additionally popped up in TV exhibits equivalent to ‘Taxi’ and ‘Star Trek: Voyager.’
Palomino was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in the summertime of 2004.
An awesome fighter and a fantastic individual about whom no one within the sport has a nasty phrase to say, Carlos Palomino ranks proper up there with all of the Mexican warriors we so revere. That forthcoming biopic – entitled “Carlos Palomino: The Film” – must be fairly one thing.
