You don't hear too much about him but very interesting history. He represented the US in the 1968 Olympics, losing in the quarter finals. In his 1st title attempt, he was beating all-time great Jose Napoles rather soundly, bloodying him up pretty good when the fight was stopped in the 12th and after a brief respite, the ref ended it and declared Napoles the winner, setting off a firestorm. In the rematch, Jose avenged himself by winning handily. Later, Mando lost 2 title challenges to his old friend Carlos Palomino. The first bout was a barn burner with Mando building up a lead until Carlos finally stopped him in the 15th, the 1st time Muniz had been stopped as a pro. Later, Carlos beat him again for the title with a decision. His career ended rather puzzingly. His last fight was against Sugar Ray Leonard and was supposed to be a big test for the young star. Ray had previously stopped Mando's brother Javier in the 1st round so Mando had some incentive for payback. Ray dominated although Mando had some good moments here and there. In a surprising finish, Mando quit on his stool after the 6th round despite not having received any extensive punishment. In the post-fight interview with Cosell, he sheepishly claimed his elbow was hurting him but he had wanted to continue but his corner convinced him to quit. It was only the 2nd time in his career he had been stopped. Like his contemporary, Carlos Palomino, he served in the US army and was also a college graduate. Like Carlos, he also dabbled in acting and also as a ringside commentator. In all, his pro record was 44-14 with 30 knockouts. He had 4 title challenges and lost them all although he gave a good account of himself each time. He fought all time greats in Napoles, Palomino and Leonard, all of them known as hard punchers, but interestingly enough, he claimed that Angel Espada was the hardest puncher he ever fought. In my mind, he was kind of a lesser version of Roberto Duran, strong and pugnacious but without Duran's ferocity and ring savvy. I'm thinking he would have given any fighter of any era a tough go. At this writing he is nearing his 80's. He's lived quite a life no doubt.
he is text book proof that TOP Fighters, or Prizefighters as I like to refer to them in this context, he is a 'Proof fighter', proving that TOP Fighters, Champion, Contender or on the Fringe, are indeed, Great Fighters too.
He was my mother's favorite fighter before Bobby Chacon. Big win against Ernie Lopez. Tough guy and a good guy- I met him a few times years ago and have his business card from when he was involved with the west Coast Boxing HoF.
It wasn't so cool when Chacon beat Little Red and she trash talked and laughed at her 9 year old son, which drove him to boxing gyms and a life of obsession and addiction. (To boxing)
He was training for a rematch with Indian Red when he got the call to fight Napoles for the title (the first time). His purse for the title fight (in which he got terribly robbed by any estimation) was $15K and he paid restitution to the Forum for pulling out of the Lopez fight.
