Cecilio Lastra vs. Sean O'Grady '1978'

1978,,,,,,

WBA Featherweight Championship

WBA Champion Cecilio Lastra from Spain was supposed to fight
the 'Bubblegum Kid' Sean O'Grady, the #9 WBA Featherweight, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Anyone remember that.

And, who do you think 'screwed that fight up'..........

 

Cecilio Lastra, of Spain, upsets WBA Featherweight Champion, Rafael Ortega.

The 26 year-old Spaniard,,,,,Cecilio Lastra,,,,,the #7 WBA-ranked Featherweight, won
the WBA Featherweight Title by upsetting Champion Rafael Ortega of Panama.

He beat Ortega in Spain on December 17, 1977, by an upset 15-Round Split-Decision.

Nobody, except the 6300 fight fans in Spain gave the 5' 5" southpaw much of a chance
against the slick-boxing and fast-handed Champion. But the sharp-hitting Spaniard
got off to a good start, and maintained his lead throughout.

After winning the WBA Featherweight Championship,,,,,,,,

Cecilio Lastra, looked to be an easy mark for any good challenger, and father Pat O'Grady had
set his sights on a Championship for his son Sean O'Grady. Pat O'Grady worked quickly to get
the newly crowned champion (Cecilio Lastra had won the WBA Featherweight Title only 4-weeks
earlier) signed to a deal, before anyone else.

Cecilio had never fought outside of Spain (his home country), and his 25-2-0 (17 KO)
record was filled with victories over mediocre fighters. Most in the boxing community
felt that he was a 'temporary champion', and would be an ex-champion after his first defense.

In his only fight with a quality opponent before winning the WBA Championship, was
a Knock-out loss (L KO 11) to Roberto Castanon, for the Spanish Featherweight Title
on August 20, 1977. (Only 4-months before winning the WBA Championship).

On January 2 1978, Cecilio was voted, 'The Champion Most Likely to Lose in 1978'.

 

Correct,,,,,,,

It was Pat O'Grady who screwed up another one.

On Thursday, January 19, 1978, Pat O'Grady agreed in a 'joint venture' with
MagnaVerde Promotions, to sponsor a bout between WBA Featherweight
Champion Cecilio Lastra and his son Sean O'Grady.

The bout was supposed to take place on Sunday, February 5, 1978, at the Oklahoma City
Fairgrounds.

Cecilio Lastra was to receive $25,000, plus 40% of any overseas ancillary revenue.
Pat O'Grady signed a deal, that Sean was to receive $75,000 or 40% of any
ancillary revenue (television, radio and film), which ever was greater.

MagnaVerde Promotions out of Los Angeles, was the promoter of the bout, but it
was a 'joint venture' with Pat O'Grady. However, MagnaVerde wanted assurance from
Pat O'Grady, that if the promotion lost money, he would have to share in the losses
out of his advisor fee and Sean's fight purse. It appears, that Pat O'Grady agreed to
that contract verbally.

In the terms of the contract, Sean O'Grady was to be paid $25,000 on the night of the fight, and
other revenue would be reconciled after the fight by MagnaVerde Promotions and Pat O'Grady.
Part of the contract agreement was, that Sean O'Grady would be part of any local promotions,
and make himself available for radio and television talk-shows, as well as interviews for publicity purposes.

Cecilio Lastra was paid $12,500 as his pre-fight purse guarantee, as well as, up-front expenses for travel
from Spain to Oklahoma City, for himself, manager, trainer, and '2' other associates. Upon arriving in Oklahoma City,
all hotel accomadations, food and other boxing related expenses were covered by MagnaVerde Promotions.
The balance of his purse would be paid on the night of the fight, February 5, 1978.

This is where it gets fun,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

OK,,,,,,,,,,,,,

On Tuesday, January 24, 1978

Frederick Landman, Vice President of MagnaVerde Promotions sent an agreement letter
to Pat o'Grady, describing the specifics of the 'joint venture'.

Magnaverde Promotions were to cover the costs of the fighter's purse amounts,
site fee, sanctioning fee's, fight officials, promotional advertising, technical pick-up of
the telecast, television communications satellite, line and conversion charges.

MagnaVerde Promotions, in turn would receive the 'net ancillary revenues' which was;
the gross revenues derived from television, motion picture, radio and merchandising rights,
less actual costs and expenses for MagnaVerde Promotions.

MagnaVerde, would gain all profits from their promotion. If the promotion lost money, the
difference would be made up by deducting that amount from Pat O'Grady's
advisor contract and Sean O'Grady's fight purse.

In other words, Pat O'Grady would share in any losses that MagnaVerde Promotions
incurred for this promotion, but would 'not' share in any profits.

Pat O'Grady, hungry for a Championship Title for his son, agreed verbally, but was
reluctant to sign the contract, making him responsible for any losses. But, it was
Pat O'Grady himself, who guaranteed to MagnaVerde Promotions that a Championship Fight
in Oklahoma City for his son Sean, would be a 'blockbuster promotion that would reap amazing
amounts of money'.

While negotiations were ongoing with NBC-Television to purchase the rights to
broadcast the fight, other issues still had to be resolved.

MagnaVerde Promotions, had the O'Grady's agree to a contract, which was, that in the event that
Sean O'Grady was triumphant in his 'title quest' (which was expected), MagnaVerde would
get the promotional rights and other 'certain things' to Sean O'Grady's first 'two' title defenses.

More to come,,,,,,,,,

 

During this time period,,,,,,,,,,Wednesday, January 25th thru Friday, January 27th,,,

John R. Brooks, a 'radio sportscaster' in Oklahoma City for 1000 KTOK-AM, was pretty much ripping
the O'Grady's on his radio show. Not a favorite of Pat O'Grady's business deals,
Brooks would routinely criticize the way that "Papa O'Grady" orchestrated his son,
and more or less called Pat O'Grady,,,,,,, 'a carny at a circus sideshow'.

Mr. Brooks, did state, that Sean O'Grady,,,,,, 'was extremely popular in Oklahoma, and
whose ability in the boxing ring has been sufficiently outstanding, to make him a
serious contender for the World Featherweight Title.'

But, during the last days of January 1978, John R. Brooks was criticizing the proposed
World Championship Bout, stating,,,,,,,, 'that Pat O'Grady and MagnaVerde Promotions would
mutually benefit in future profits, if Sean won the World Featherweight Championship.'

Brooks, on his radio show, stated that,,,,,,, 'Pat O'Grady is willing to sell his soul to get his
son a World Championship, and as a Father and Manager of his boxer son, that is
all well and good. But, Pat O'Grady has crossed the line when he is the promoter,
or at least a 'silent partner' in a joint venture, as he will have a vested interest in
getting his son a Championship, which means not giving the opponent a fair chance,
or at least making it extremely difficult for him to defeat his son Sean.''

Mr. Brooks, said,,,,,, 'Pat O'Grady gets to pick the venue, the referee, the judges and
boxing officials for his sons bouts. What opponent, can get a fair deal here with all
those obstacles stacked in front of him.'

Mr. Brooks further stated on his radio sports show,,,,,,,, 'that Pat O'Grady, though not employeed by
MagnaVerde Promotions, is quietly entered into a 'joint venture' with the California-based
Promotional Corporation, and that makes this Championship Bout highly suspicous. As it appears on
the surface, that Mr. O'Grady' is buying his son Sean, a World Championship.'

More to come,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Monday, January 30, 1978

MagnaVerde Promotions has scheduled a 'Press Conference' for Monday Evening,
January 30, 1978 at the Ramada Inn in Oklahoma City.

But before the Evening Press Conference, John R. Brooks, the radio sportscaster
for 1000 KTOK-AM spends all day ripping Pat O'Grady on the radio.

Mr. Brooks asks questions,,,,,, Did Pat O'Grady pay off the WBA (World Boxing Association)
to sanction this bout, and has he quietly made a back-room deal with the organization
to sanction the next '2' title defenses, providing that Sean O'Grady defeats Cecilio Lastra...???

Furthermore, Mr. Brooks hinted,,,,,,,,,,, that Pat O'Grady would get to pick the challengers
to fight his son for the WBA Featherweight Title, and that the WBA would approve
any fighter that Pat O'Grady chooses.

Also, all WBA Title defenses would take place in Oklahoma City, and that
MagnaVerde Promotions would be the promoter, with Pat O'Grady acting as an
advisory representative.

These comments would lead to a 'boiling point' at the Press Conference later.

More To Come,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Monday, January 30, 1978

'Cecilio Lastra vs Sean O'Grady,,,,,,,, WBA Featherweight Championship Press Conference'

Ramada Inn, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

7:00 PM

The conference room was filled with local newspaper reporters, radio broadcasters and
several Oklahoma Television news outlets, approximately 60 people.

The Principals;

The WBA Featherweight Champion, Cecilio Lastra from Spain, and his manager were there.
They had arrived the previous day, after a 17-hour airline flight from Spain,
and the Champion and his group were staying at the Ramada Inn, where they had set up
camp.

Sean O'Grady, the #9 WBA-ranked Challenger, and his father Pat O'Grady were obviously present.

MagnaVerde Promotions, the promoter had 'two representatives', a consultant and
a publicist there.

The bout, which was to take place on Sunday, February 5th, would be held at the
Oklahoma State Fair Grounds Arena, and a sell-out crowd of 11,000 was expected.

 

January 30, 1978

Suprisingly, for a World Championship bout held in the obscure
location of Oklahoma City, the Monday Night press conference at the
Ramada Inn, was well attended.

Televison outlets, KFOR-TV Channel 4 (The NBC-affiliate who was broadcasting
the late-efternoon bout) was there.

KWTV-TV Channel 9 (The CBS affiliate who was covering the press conference,
and who also employeed John R. Brooks, the radio sportscaster)

Oklahoma Newpapers, including the largest daily newspaper, The Daily Oklahoman,
with sports columnist Dean Bailey.

Covering the press conference for the Spaniard Champion Cecilio Lastra, was El Pais
(Spains largest newspaper), Marca (Spains sports newspaper) and El Diario Montanes
(Cecilio Lastra's hometown newspaper from Cantanbria, Spain).

Also, several local Spanish radio and television affiliates were present.

But, the 'major player' of the Championship Bout who had no representative there, the World Boxing Association...???

More to come,,,,,

 

At the Press Conference,,,,,,,,

Pat O'Grady, Manager and Trainer for son Sean O'Grady, and John R. Brooks, the
Oklahoma City radio broadcaster got into shouting match.

Mr. Brooks who had a 'radio talk show' on 1000 KTOK-AM, had criticized
Pat O'Grady on his Monday show, prior to the Press Conference.

During the back-and-forth shouting match, Pat O'Grady attacked
Mr. Brooks, and struck a 'heavy blow' to his face, and followed up by
'slapping' him in the face, in front of the stunned reporters.

Mr. O'Grady, then went on a verbal assualt, by calling John R. Brooks
'a filthy man' and a 'Son-of-a-*****'.

As the confontation settled down, Mr. O'Grady perked up again, by telling
the reporters and audience, 'I don't like the man'.

Sitting stunned, were the representatives for MagnaVerde Promotions, and
the fight television broadcaster representatives for the NBC-affiliate, KFOR Channel 4 TV.

To make matters worse, the World Boxing Association (WBA) announced that they would
not sanction the bout for a World Championship.

This put the 'proverbial nail in the coffin' as NBC-Televsion pulled out of broadcasting the bout,
stating that without a World Championship, the bout would not be worth televising.

With NBC out of the picture, that meant the $100,000 site fee would be gone, and MagnaVerde Promotions
would be 'on-the-hook' for a major loss in this promotion.

Two days later, on Wednesday, February 1st, MagnaVerde Promotions
cancelled the bout.

And things were not over for Pat O'Grady, as John R. Brooks filed suit against Pat O'Grady,
for assualt, battery and slander.

Mr. Brooks was seeking $510,000 in damages, the amount of $210,000 in actual damages for,
personal injuries, pain, humiliation and public scorn. And an additional $300,000 for punitive damages.