Jose 'King' Roman (Only an Opponent)

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012.


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  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Jose 'King' Roman

    Puerto Rican Heavyweight, based out of Florida.
    Age; 26
    Size; 5' 10" - 195 lbs.
    Record; 43-7-1 (21 KO's)
    Ranking; #10 WBC
    Ring Magazine; #8
    Managed by; Al Braverman

    Earns a shot at George Foreman's Heavyweight Championship in September 1973 -
    by way of default.

    With a 'rematch' with 'Smokin Joe' Frazier in the works for September 1973 -
    the typical financial problems, future rights and percentages, as well as
    ancillary rights turn the 'rematch' into 'no-match'.

    Enter, 'one safe opponent' - Jose 'King' Roman.
    Ranked #10 by the WBC, Mr. Roman actually qualifies as a non-mandatory
    Challenger for the Heavyweight Championship.

    Though, Jose 'King' Roman is regarded by many as a nice guy, most
    consider him a 'substandard boxer'. Dick Sadler, George Foremans' Manager, said,
    'No man should be called substandard. Look, he's a Challenger, and a nice guy - but he is not substandard.
    What the guy really is,,,,,,,,a stiff.'

    Despite the disparaging remarks about Jose 'King Roman and his
    qualifications, at one-time in January 1973, Ring Magazine had the guy ranked at #7, ahead of
    #8 Joe Bugner, #9 Ken Norton and #10 Jose Luis Garcia.
     
    Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012
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  2. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Jose 'King' Roman

    The 'First' Puerto Rican to fight for the Heavyweight Championship.

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    Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012
    #2
  3. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    by [url]Jim[/url] for everyone[url]
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    [url]neverlast[/url]

    THE PUERTO RICAN PARALLEL

    By Jim Amato

    In 1966 two heavyweights of Puerto Rican heritage turned professional. Each would have an impact on the talent rich heavyweight division of the late 60's and early 70's. Their careers would mirror each others and they even took the time to cross gloves on a couple of occasions.

    Pedro Agosto and Jose "King" Roman met some of the best heavyweights of the era with a varying degree of success. Agosto's career started with a bang as he reeled off twelve straight kayos. He won his first sixteen overall including a 12th round stoppage of Roman. Jose started with much less fanfare. In 1967 he dropped a decision to rugged Hal Carroll. He also suffered kayo losses to Herman Harris and Al Singletary. In 1968 Jose beat Charlie Polite and Singletary in a rematch. He was halted by Charlie Emperor" Harris and Agosto.

    Pedro had a difficult year in 1969 being shocked in one round by former amateur star Forest Ward. He also lost to Chuck Wepner. Roman used 1969 to start his march toward the big time. He beat Singletary one more time as well as Jack O'Halloran and Wepner. He lost a ten rounder to England's Jack Bodell.

    In 1970 Jose again defeated O'Halloran and former title challenger Manuel Ramos. In 1971 Jose lost to Big Roby Harris and Agosto was outscored by White Hope Jim Elder.

    The year 1972 would see Roman advance to the forefront of the division while Agosto would fail in the chance of a lifetime. On April 3rd Roman took on Spanish contender Jose Urtain. The Spaniard was being seriously considered for new heavyweight champion George Foreman's first title defense In front of a wild crowd in San Juan, Jose easily out boxed the lumbering Urtain and put himself in the thick of the title picture. Agosto would meet the comebacking former champion Floyd Patterson. Pedro was game but outclassed losing in the sixth round. It would be Floyd's last career victory. Roman closed the year with a win over Terry Daniels.

    As Roman awaited a possible title shot Pedro too on the clever Randy Neuman and was halted in the ninth. Finally on September 1st Jose entered a boxing ring in Tokyo, Japan to face the hulking George Foreman for the heavyweight championship of the world. George had dismantled the feared Joe Frazier in two rounds in January. Very few if any gave Roman a serious chance of winning. George did not disappoint as he gave Jose an unmerciful pounding with the fight ending in the first. Pedro and Jose would regroup and meet each other before the year's end with Agosto again coming out on top.

    Jose would travel to Madrid in 197 and be held to a draw by Urtain. He would then move on to Tampa and kayoed former light heavyweight title claimant Vincente Rondon in two rounds. He tested the 175 pound division in 1975 losing to Mike Quarry and beating Walter White. He returned to fighting the big boys losing to Dino Dennis and South African Mike Schuttle. Pedro would drop decisions to Bunny Johnson and Rod Bobick.

    On January 2.1977, four years after relieving Frazier of the crown the now ex-champion Foreman took Agosto. Again Pedro was game to the core but he was overwhelmed by the powerful Foreman in four rounds. Then on May 17th Pedro was stopped by future champion Leon Spinks in one round.

    Although Pedro got the best of Jose in their meetings, Roman always seemed to get more press and recognition. It is too bad that Pedro and Jose were not around for the inception of the ******* cruiserweight division. It is very possible that each could have won that crown before fellow Puerto Rican's Carlos DeLeon and Ocasio made their mark.
     
    Longhhorn71, May 22, 2012
    Longhhorn71, May 22, 2012
    #3
  4. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Longhorn 71,


    As usual,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and impressive follow-up,,,,:good

    Jose 'King' Roman,,,,,

    Not sure on how he got the 'King' moniker.

    Turned Professional, June 20, 1966 - at Age 20 1/2

    * Went undefeated in 14-bouts 14-0-0 (7 KO's)
    * April 1967 - Ring Magazine - Jose 'King' Roman considered a 'future potential Top 10 contender'
    * April 24, 1967 - Loses his first fight in '15-bouts', as he is defeated by 178 lb. Hal 'TNT' Carroll 6-2-0 (3 KO's) by {L Split Dec 8}
    * April 25, 1967 thru May 19, 1968 - Goes 3-2-1 in his next '6' Bouts, and loses '2' by Knock-out
    * October 2, 1967 - Is 'shockingly stopped' (L KO 7) by 180 lb. Light-Heavyweight, Al Singletary 1-5-1 (1 KO)
    * October 2, 1967 - Drops to 15-3-1 (7 KO's)
    * April 15, 1968 - In a remtatch, decisions (W Dec 10) 180 lb. Light-Heavyweight, Al Singletary 2-6-1 (2 KO's).
    * May 20, 1968 - Is Knocked-out by '6-Bout Professional, Charlie 'The Emperor' Harris 2-3-1 (2 KO's) by {L KO 8}
    * May 20, 1968 - Drops to 17-4-1 {8 KO's} - Is listed as a '100% Flop' by Ring Magazne {June 1968}

    * November 19, 1968 - After a 6-Month Lay-Off, comes back to fight 23 year-old Puerto Rican Countryman, undefeated
    prospect Pedro Agosto 17-0-0 (15 KO's) for the Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title. In a grueling battle, gets stopped in the 12th Round. Earns a fight purse of $10,000, the highest of his professional career, to date.

    * February 13, 1969 - Returns, but struggles to stop Al Singletary 4-9-1 (3 KO's) by (KO 10). {Singletary had defeated Roman by a TKO 7 in a 1968 bout}.
    * March 15, 1969 - Upsets Jack O'Halloran 15-1-1 (7 KO's) by (W Dec 10)
    * June 22, 1969 - Upsets Chuck Wepner 18-3-2 (7 KO's) by (W Dec 10)
    * July 14, 1969 - Loses to British Heavyweight, #13-Ranked Heavyweight, Jack Bodell 51-9-0 (30 KO's) by (L Dec 10)
    * Drops to 21-6-1 (8 KO's) and is listed as a 'Full-Fledged Journeyman'
    * October 3, 1969 - Starts a 16-Bout winning streak, which includes (10 KO's)
    * May 25, 1970 - Repeats with a win over Jack O'Halloran 18-7-2 (9 KO's) by (W Dec 10)
    * October 26, 1970 - Defeats former Title Challenger Manuel Ramos 23-13-3 {18 KO's} by (W Dec 10)
    * October 26, 1970 - Improves to 34-6-1 (17 KO's) - and is the #19-Ranked Heavyweight.
    * December 1970 - Is offered a bout with #6-Ranked Mac Foster 25-1-0 (25 KO's) for $15,000 and for an NBC-TV televised bout,
    but turns it down.
    * December 17, 1970 - Jose 'King' Roman turns 24 years of age.

    * May 1, 1971 - Improves to 37-6-1 (18 KO's) - and is the #16-Ranked Heavyweight
    * October 29, 1971 - After a 6-Month Lay-Off, Jose 'King' Roman returns to the ring in a bout in Anaheim, California.
    At 188 lbs., Roman is 'upset' by 6' 5" 246 lb., Robie 'Big Roby' Harris 7-7-1 (6 KO's) by (L Split-Dec 10). Knocked down '3' times,
    and out on his feet early in the bout, Jose Roman (out-weighed by 58 lbs.) rallies over the last '4' Rounds and almost pulls out the victory.
    (Note; Robie Harris had been Knocked-out by; Joey Orbillo, Gail Wright, Pat Duncan and Ken Norton in previous bouts).
    * Drops to 37-7-1 (18 KO's) - and falls out of the Top 20 Heavyweights.

    * February 14, 1972 - Returns and scores an impressive win over 'cannon-fodder' Brian O'Melia 11-8-1 (4 KO's) by (W Dec 10)

    * April 3, 1972 - Scores 'biggest win' of career, and 'upsets' #11-Ranked Heavyweight, Jose Manuel Urtain 39-3-2 (37 KO's) by (W Dec 10)
    Jose Manuel Urtain is the Euopean Heavyweight Champion, as well as the Spanish Heavyweight Champion. The 'two'
    battle it out in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the home-country Jose 'King' Roman pounding out an 'impressive' Unanimous Decision
    by a score of 6-3-1 in Rounds. Earns a fight purse of $12,000, the highest of his professional career to date.

    * The win over Jose Manuel Urtian, improves Jose Roman to 39-7-1 (18 KO's) and bumps him up to the #10-Ranked Heavyweight.

    * July 14, 1972 - Knocks-out 'perenial-loser' Charley Polite 14-21-3 (6 KO's) by (KO 1)

    * October 2, 1972 - Blasts out 'New York Club-fighter' Tony Ventura 15-9-0 (10 KO's) by (KO 2)
    * Improves to 41-7-1 (20 KO's), and is now the #8-Ranked Heavyweight.

    * November 6, 1972 - Signs contract for $7500, to fight Canadian Heavyweight and former Title Challenger #14-Ranked George Chuvalo 68-18-2 (59 KO's) at Stateline Hotel in Las Vegas.
    The bout is on the undercard of the Muhammad Alii vs. Bob Foster Heavyweight bout, which is to be televised by ABC-TV.
    Also on the undercard, Ken Norton meets Henry Clark. It will be the 'first' National Exposure for Jose 'King' Roman.

    * November 15, 1972 - George Chuvalo pulls out of the bout, unhappy with the 'financial terms'. Enter, Texas Heavyweight
    and former Title Challenger, 'unranked' Terry Daniels 28-8-1 (25 KO's) as a 6-Day sustitute.
    One-month shy of 26, Jose 'King' Roman, scores and impressive Decision (W Dec 10) over Terry Daniels. Roman, showing
    fast-hands and quick-feet, wins 9 out of 10 Rounds, and many in the boxing press are impressed with the Puerto Rican
    Heavyweights performance. The win improves Jose 'King' Roman to 42-7-1 (20 KO's), and moves him up to #7 In The Ring
    Magazine Heavyweight rankings.
     
    Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 22, 2012
    #4
  5. D9Garrard

    D9Garrard Active Member Full Member

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    I have a feeling Roman gets shorted for being a pretty decent fighter all things considered. He was too big for 175 and too small for Heavyweight and still managed to beat some contenders on the fringe. I remember he gave Walter Moore, who was on a roll and promoted heavily by Ernie Terrell, a good scrap at the tail end of his career.

    Best story was told on a wrestling board by ex-Florida wrestler Bob Roop about a late 70's toughman tournament in Tampa that was set up with a karate guy as a "ringer". The way Roop told the story on the board, the karate guy cheap shotted Roman in the groin (which supposedly ended up with Roman having surgery afterwards and losing one. Ouch) and Roman getting up off the deck and pounding the guy viciously into unconsciousness.
     
    D9Garrard, May 22, 2012
    D9Garrard, May 22, 2012
    #5
  6. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I actually had him ahead on cards versus Foreman.
     
    Seamus, May 22, 2012
    Seamus, May 22, 2012
    #6
    bolo specialist likes this.
  7. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    :lol: I deducted one point from Foreman for hitting while down and added one point to Roman when he stuck his tongue out at him, though the round hadn't technically started. :yep
     
    Boxed Ears, May 22, 2012
    Boxed Ears, May 22, 2012
    #7
  8. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Pretty brutal ko and Roman was very fortunate to come back with any sort of effectiveness after that. But what I recall is that it was Urtain being the guy groomed and then Roman got the call as sort of another Ali opponent you had barely heard of. George sure did his job.
     
    zadfrak, May 23, 2012
    zadfrak, May 23, 2012
    #8
  9. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Dick Saddler, George Foreman's Manager had stated all along that
    Big George was entitled to 'one free choice out of the candy dish'.

    In other words, an 'easy title defense'.

    In June 1973, Dick Saddler put together a 'List of Stiffs' for a 'First Title Defense'
    A) Joe Bugner
    B) Jose Manuel Urtain
    C) Chuck Wepner (Again)
    D) Larry Middleton
    E) Jose 'King' Roman

    As listed in Sports Illustrated (June 18, 1973)

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    Jose 'King' Roman at an August 1, 1973 Press Conference in New York City. (Signs to fight George Foreman).

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    Senor Pepe', May 23, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 23, 2012
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  10. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Lots of those are Al Braverman opponents. The thing is Braverman would sign anything and put his guys in against anyone for any kind of a payday. Al can't be accused of trying to build his guys up to any sort of undefeated record, can he?
     
    zadfrak, May 23, 2012
    zadfrak, May 23, 2012
    #10
  11. AREA 53

    AREA 53 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    As i recall, the Japanese paying customers did not feel in anyway cheated by the meagre offering, instead choosing to nod their approval of Foreman as a beast of destruction, it seems Godzilla and other such cinematic flame-belching beastly "town Destroying" Icons had engrained themselves in the Japanese warrior mentality to a large extent, Foremanzilla Lives....

    They were apparently looking for something of a destructive replay with Tyson against Douglas...and it took them awhile to realize what they were seeing...the Lance of sound fundermentals...slaying the beast.
     
    AREA 53, May 23, 2012
    AREA 53, May 23, 2012
    #11
  12. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Surprise Rankings,,,,,

    On November 21, 1972 -

    After Jose 'King' Roman defeated Texas Heavyweight Terry Daniels on the
    Muhammad Ali vs Bob Foster Heavyweight Bout, and Ken Norton vs. Henry Clark 'Main Underrcard' -

    In December 1972, Jose 'King' Roman at Age 26, with a record of 42-7-1 (20 KO's) was ranked #7 by Ring Magazine.

    Jose Roman was ranked ahead of;
    #8-- Joe Bugner
    #9-- Ken Norton
    #10- Jose Luis Garcia

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    On June 18, 1973 - The George Foreman Team was trying to decide on an 'opponent'.
    Negotiations with a 'rematch' with 'Smokin Joe' Frazier were stalled, and that bout was put on hold
    for November/December 1973, and tentatively set to be held at the Houston Astrodome.

    Ken Norton turned down $250,000 - so he could fight Muhammad Ali in a 'rematch'.

    In Line for a Heavyweight Championship Bout;

    Ernie Terrell who was 'in-line' for a bout with George Foreman, was facing 'club-fighting journeyman'
    Chuck Wepner in 5-Days, for some 'phony title' called the 'National Americas Heavyeight Title',
    in what appeared to a an easy 'tune-up' fight for the former WBA Champion.

    And inactive Jose 'King' Roman, the 26 year-old Puerto Rican Heavyweight, who had not fought in 7-Months, since
    defeating Terry Daniels by Decision (W Dec 10) in Las Vegas, back on November 21, 1972 - was rated #10 by the WBC.

    In an intervirew regarding the Heavyweight Championship, Teddy Brenner the Matchmaker for Madison Square Garden
    stated, - 'The WBC will rank anyone for the right price, and ranking Roman at #10 is just terrible.'
     
    Senor Pepe', May 25, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 25, 2012
    #12
  13. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Roman paid for his impertinence...his sassing big George before the bell by getting nearly exterminated. Never seen George fight with such pent up rage..he was just swinging to kill Roman..and he nearly did.
     
    red cobra, May 25, 2012
    red cobra, May 25, 2012
    #13
  14. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Enjoy:D..
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhL0AICQ1O8[/ame]
     
    red cobra, May 25, 2012
    red cobra, May 25, 2012
    #14
  15. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    A Deliberate Foul,,,,,,,,,,On a Defenseless Fighter

    Did this warrant a 'Disqualification' - or a Point Deduction - or a 5-Minute Rest-Period for Jose 'King' Roman.

    After being 'knocked down' by a grazing right hook to the top of the head, Jose 'King' Roman,
    while seated on the canvas in a defenseless position is walloped by a 'wicked' right hand from
    a 'chiseled' 220 lb. 'muscle-machine' George Foreman.

    Immediately, Al Braverman (Jose 'King' Roman's Trainer) and Bill Daly (Jose King' Roman's Manager)
    jump up from the ring apron, and screamed at Referee Jay Edson to Disqualify George Foreman or give
    their fighter a rest-period for a blatant foul.

    Jay Edson, 'a complete numbskull' disregards their complaint, and after administering the mandatory 8-Count,
    allows George Foreman to move in to 'annihilate' a stunned Jose 'King' Roman.

    Referee, Jay Edson seemed 'clueless' as usual.

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    Senor Pepe', May 25, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 25, 2012
    #15
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