1972/1973 'The Other Lightweight Champions'

Sometimes, lost in the Lightweight World, there were other Champions from the WBC.

From Mexico - Chango 'Erubey' Carmona

On September 15, 1972 - Chango Carmona destroyed {TKO 8} Mando Ramos to with the WBC Lightweight Championship.

At the time, the 28 year-old, 5' 8" orthodox-stance, with a record of 50-10-2 (40 KO's), was regarded as quite possibly
the 'hardest hitter' in the 135 lb. Division.

Though from Mexico, in 1972 Chango was campaigning primarily in California. Chango, was hoping for a 'potential'
bout with the 'new' WBA Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran for sometime in 1973.

What seemed like a 'great potential bout' for the future in 1973, never got close, as Chango lost in his '1st-Defense',
when on November 10, 1972 - Chango was battered and stopped (RTD 12) by Rodolfo 'Gato' Gonzalez on November 10, 1972.

It was a 'shocking upset', as Chango had entered that bout versus 'Gato' Gonzalez as a heavily bet 3-1 Favorite.

Chango 'Erubey' Carmona's (WBC Lightweight Reign) was short-lived, as it lasted only 56-days.

Following the loss to Rodolfo 'Gato' Gonzalez in November 1972, Chango lost his next '2-Bouts',
in March 1973 (L Dec 10) Jimmy Heair, and July 1973 (L KO 7) Shinichi Kadota.

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Mando Ramos (Los Angeles, California)

The super popular, and exciting bomber.

A 'two-time' Lightweight Champion.

Was a Champion (at age 20) in February 1969 and held the title until March 1970.

Regained the WBC Lightweight Championship on February 18, 1972, and held it
for 'one successful defense' before being 'battered' and stopped {L TKO 8} by
Chango Carmona on September 15, 1972.

His 'second reign' had only lasted '7-months'.

As of November 1972, the 24 year-old, 5' 9" - Mando Ramos had compiled a record
of 33-6-1 (20 KO's).

The slow-footed, but powerful Mando had fallen prey to the Los Angeles 'night-life'.

Discussions of fighting Roberto Duran in Los Angeles seemed possible for early-1973,
but, Mando forgot about training.

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Mr. Baltazar,,,,,,,,,

My error,,,,,,you are correct. I posted the wrong stance.

Thankfully, I got the other information correct.

On Mando, he took off for almost 1-year, after getting demolished by Chango Carmona,
only to come back and get 'demolished' again by - Arturo 'Tury the Fury' Pineda
in August 1973.

I wonder if he would have lasted '3-Rounds' with Roberto Duran in January 1973.

 

Pedro Carrasco

The Darling of Spain

A classic stand-up - 5' 9" tall boxer, with a snappy left jab. Quick-hands, and with swift footwork.
A bit on the 'frail side' at 135 lbs., but ring smart and crafty.

By September 1971, the Spaniard had compiled an incredible record of 103-1-2 (64 KO's) dominating the
European 'scene', by defeating nearly every top Lightweight and Light-Welterweight, while winning both European crowns.

The 28 year-old, was the #1 WBC Lightweight, and earned a Title Bout versus WBC Champion - Mando Ramos.
In a 'controversial bout' held in Spain In October 1971, Pedro emerged as the Champion by 12th Round Disqualification.

Due to the controversy, a rematch was held in February 1972, where Mando Ramos regained his Championship, but by
a controversial 15-Round Decision.

The third bout was scheduled for June 1972 but in Spain, where again Mando Ramos won, but - again another controverial
15-Round Decision.

The WBC President (Ramon Velasquez) demanded an unheard of 4th-bout, and to be held within 90-Days. But Pedro Carrasco was unhappy with both the 'financial terms' and 'venue location', and pulled out of the Championship bout.

Later, the #1 WBC-ranked Pedro was offered a bout with the 'new' WBC Lightweight Champion - Chango Carmona,
but again Pedro refused the 'fight purse offering'.

Pedro fought 'twice' more in Spain, and won both bouts, but decided to end his career at the end of 1972, with a
record of 106-3-2 (66 KO's).

In early-1973, the 29 1/2 year-old Pedro, may have had the skills to hold off Roberto Duran for 7 or 8 Rounds, but
not for the full 15-Rounds.

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Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez

Another tall (5' 9") Los Angeles-based Lightweight, with rocks for fists.

By November 1972, the 27 year-old Rodolfo had compiled a record of 74-6-1 (61 KO's),
while positioning himself as the #2 WBC Lightweight.

Being at the right place at the right time, Rodolfo filled in for #1 WBC-ranked Spaniard
- Pedro Carrasco, and challenged WBC Champion - Chango Carmona for the title on
November 10, 1972.

Rodolfo was 'the man', as he battered, broke down and stopped the Champion by a RTD 12.

Through 1973, Rodolfo had '4-bouts' ('2' Title Defenses and '2' non-title bouts), and scored '4' knockouts.

At the end of 1973, the 28 year-old Champion, at 79-6-1 (66 KO's), was asking for a bout with
Roberto Duran by stating - 'Let's get this thing over with already.'

Unfortunately, age and the demands to make 135 lbs. had taken their toll on the 'West Coast Bomber', and in 1974........

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March 17, 1973

The Streets of Los Angeles.

WBC Lightweight Champion - Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez points to the 'sky' to show
Roberto 'Manos De Piedra' Duran where the 'fight purse' would be if the two unified
the Lightweight Championship.

That night, at the Los Angeles Sports Arena - in front of 16,146 boxing fans,
Rodolfo Gonzalez defended his WBC Championship by stopping (TKO 9) Ruben Navarro.

On the undercard, Roberto Duran won a 10-Round Decision over the hard-punching
Javier Ayala in a 'over-the-weight' non-title bout.

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It looks like,

Rodolfo Gonzalez, Chango Carmona and Mando Ramos wanted that
WBC Lightweight Championship to 'stay' on on the 'west coast'.

As for a Lightweight Championship 'unification', after Roberto Duran lost
to Esteban De Jesus in November 1972 - he now had '2' more important rivals.

Esteban De Jesus and Ken Buchanan,