Brit Forum's Mexican Tribute Thread......**Pipino Cuevas**

Raul Macias

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This guy was a massive star in Mexico, and even had thousands turn out to cheer him after losing his title. He retired aged 25 after pretty much 7 years of serious fighting, to become an actor I think (and because his Mother asked him to) He was a boxer-puncher with serious power who was equally adept pressure fighting in the clasic Mexican mould.

He'd represented Mexico in the Olympics, and had earned a shot at the World Bantamweight title after 15-0 and beating Olympic Gold medalist and top prospect Nate Brooks. World Bantamweight Champion Robert Cohen refused to defend against him, so in March '55 he got a chance to take the vacant title (NBA version) in a fight against ex-Muay Thai fighter, and Thailand's first top level boxer (arguably, for reasons I'll go into in a second) Chamroen Songkitrat.

Now, the Thai only went 7-5-1 in his boxing career. His two fights prior to facing Macias where shots at the World title, against Cohen, and Jimmy Carruthers (first World title fight involving a Thai, first title fight in Thailand, the only title fight ever contested barefoot, monsoon weather saw a downpour but the fight was too big an event to call off), but he got another shot here for the 'vacant' title. Ring editor, judge, and all-round influential boxing man Nat Fleischer had been courted by the Thai establishment, and he was pally with King Bhumibol.

Saying that, Songkitrat looks decent here, tough and determined, and Macias looks beastly, finally forcing the nails Thai policeman to wilt under his assault.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-eVeFjQPg[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ro0Jldbjnw&feature=related[/ame]

Macias fought again in April (KO6) May (KO5) and June, but it was his fourth bout of the year that saw him beaten for the first time, in a non-title fight against Billy Peacock, a fighter he'd battered previously. Macias suffered a broken jaw here. Considering the talk over the past few days of in-fighting ability, as well as contenders of yesteryear being as skilled as the so-called elite of today, the below clip demonstrates this point superbly IMO. Peacock had mixed in quality competition (and had beaten Songkitrat) but was not one of the very best (he ended his career 42-34-1). A must see, short, good display of both, and a crushing K.O.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clXu8Vy26vU[/ame]

However, Macias was still the champion, and he made 2 successful defences following this loss.

The below footage is the best we have of him IMO. Larry Bataan was a good fighter from the Phillipines, who had wins over Songkikrat (W 12) a still learning future ATG Flash Elorde (UD 12) and Speedy Cabanella (W 12).

Here you really see the best of Macias. His all-round game; perfect inside game; ripping body shots; punch variety and two-fisted assault; and then mid-range boxer puncher mode as well, as he executes an absolutely perfect one-two that nearly smashes the Filipino's head off. Savage.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EMzqV3t7PU[/ame]

That's all I know on him I'm afraid, just the key stuff and the footage that's out there. Nearly an encyclopedia article nonetheless Enjoy it Pike, I think you will f'n love this fighter :good

 

I like to come on to threads like these and chuck out names that some people might not recognise or know too much about, presenting a modest, affable exterior while my insides are secretly immolated by a raging furnace of misguided self-importance. Anyway, Flea went and **** all over my vivid internal metaphor with his hoyty-toyty mentions and highly unimpressive breakdowns of Saldivar, Zamora, Medel, Avelar, Arizmendi and Pimental. ****. And El Bujia stuck his oar in all the way from the other ****ing side of the Atlantic (they're always drawn back home regardless of how independent they think they are, like rebellious sprogs who wisely see the error of their ways. 235 years and still speaking the same language).

Anyway, since they're such good posters (nice Zamora-Pedroza stuff Flea) and I can't remember anyone mentioning Chucho Castillo, Jose Becerra or Raul Macias, I'm going to mention Chucho Castillo, Joe Becerra and Raul Macias.

There's plenty of great stuff of Castillo on youtube including Rose, Herrera and Olivares I (I think). He was an outstanding fighter and a sublime counterpuncher, very smooth and well-rounded. I got bollocked by some mates for suggesting that he was just as good as the modern trinity, if not better. Check him out if you haven't watched him.

Becerra and Macias are less well known and seem to have suffered by way of fighting during the somewhat ignored stretch of the bantam timeline that connects Ortiz to Jofre. Plus they both packed in before they were 25 and robbed us of the potential chance to see them in action against Jofre himself. Becerra had a trilogy of fights with the aforementioned Medel, who was a bit green at the time, and notable wins over future champion Alphonse Halimi (x2) and former champion Mario D'Agata in addition to the usual contender types. There's just the one snippet on youtube of him knocking out Halimi I believe. Macias' excellent title-winning effort against Songkitrat is on there, as are snippets of his KO of Larry Bataan and loss to the dangerous Billy Peacock via a broken jaw. He was a smooth, stand-up, counter-pressure type: well-rounded and good puncher if a touch methodical and one paced, something that seemed to cost him in the questionable loss of his title at Halimi's hands. Clearly an excellent fighter though and a a figure of immense idolatry in Mexico owing to his looks, easy charisma and religious convictions. There are similarities with Castillo and especially Herrera in the way he fought, something which makes me think that he might have been a good foil for Olivares. He was then what someone like Morales is now in the eyes of the Mexican populace in terms of how revered he was, only he didn't have the global exposure that the latter did.


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qctouyEBWg[/ame]


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-eVeFjQPg[/ame]


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHirHiKvD9k[/ame]


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RqmM6c19T4[/ame]

 

How mad then that I've mentioned Macias just before you then Ribs :good

F'n love it when you turn up unexpectedly :bowdown

 

And Chucho was ****ing incredible!

 

Had to learn more about Macias as of late, currently researching Songikrat like **** for the book :good

I agree the post-Ortiz Bantams get overlooked (the Aussies had a really good scene) and the more I delve into it the more I appreciate it.

 

Jaysus, how did I not see a great, ****off post like that? (which was better than mine, as usual :twisted::|). Done again. Although nobody's ever bowed to me before I have to say. I feel nice now.....

First time I've been on in a bit mate. You're writing a book? On the Thai scene I take it? Buzzing :smoke. Most of the top minds I've come across concerning boxing have been on the net, so we probably need your like to be doing this. I aim to write one myself in the end but that's another story; one likely to evolve into something non-boxing related, I think. Keep me updated, will you please? Regardless of when it all comes to fruition in terms of timescale, I'll be the first to buy a copy.

Castillo was the ****, no doubt. I'm thinking about trying to delve a bit deeper into the catacombs of Becerra's era, the fights with Medel in particular. The Mexican scene was stacked, much like the Aussie one as you say. Work's thin on the ground at present, so I have plenty in the way of time and **** all in the way of finance.

Edit: Flea, do you know if there's any footage out there of Macias-Halimi? I've read all sorts of wild, conflicting **** about that fight and wouldn't mind seeing it to form my own view. Caldwell-Halimi too, if only to see Johnny in a winning effort for once.

 

No I've never seen anything on it knocking about. From what I've read Macoas got old in the last five rounds and got soundly

Yep, book is on Thai's. I'll Get a copy over to ya' in the next decade or so ;-)

 

Glad you liked it mate. And yes, that was brutal

Knowing how Peacock was inconsistent was consistently mixed in quality opposition THEN seeing what a quality fighter he was, well it certainly gives me an appreciation for that era, which gets quite overlooked.

Macias' one-two though :scaredas:

 

Chucho Castillo and Rafael Herrera were both neck-and-neck with Olivares, who I know you're a fan of.

3 of Mexico's most talented fighters, do NOT be deceived by Castillos record, he was a tremendous fighter.

As for Herrera....watch him Vs Borkhorsor :tong