I'll bet NO ONE has heard of these 2 fighters of yesteryear.....!

.....but if anyone has, I'd be intrigued to know something about them.

1/ King Solomon
W 7 L 1
Philadelphian, who boxed late '80's - early '90's.
Of his short (8 fight) career, won all but one - albeit via the long route - including his penultimate fight, a decision over the then unbeaten Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti at the legendary Blue Horizon venue - no mean feat!
Whatever became of this guy?
Why did he 'turn it in' with a seemingly promising boxing career still ahead of him?
Did Gatti knock the fight out of him?!
Where is he now?

2/ Luis Manuel Rodriguez
W 107 (!) L 13. Fought in the very highest company.
Opponents included Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, Bennie Briscoe, Curtis Cokes, Nino Benvenuti and the inimitable Emile Griffith.

Some online research shows that he is indeed an esteemed member of the IBHOF, but I really must confess to having no knowledge of this guy whatsoever.

How good was he? Was he revered in his country of birth (Cuba) during and after his career, and what caused his early death - at 59 - in 1996?

Any info gratefully received.

Over to you, guys!

 

You're not wrong there, Sweet Pea!

I'd hazard a guess though, and say that not many fight fans - particularly those younger than 50 - have ever even heard of this guy, whose record is absolutely phenomenal!

 

Nice one, hhascup - thanks for the info!