Manuel 'Pulgarcito' Ramos 'Mexican Heavyweight'

The 6' 4" Mexican Heavyweight, who came on strong in 1966, 1967 and
early 1968,,,,,,,

A 208 lb. right-hand bomber, who was the 'hottest' Heavyweight Challenger
out there before his bout with 'Smokin' Joe Frazier on June 24, 1968.

Manuel 'Tom Thumb' Ramos, had scored '15-Straight' wins with '12' coming via
the knockout. He was fast, well-schooled and had a good punch.

The 25 1/2 year-old, was a 'live underdog' when he walked into the
Madison Square Garden ring with a 20-6-2 (16 KO's) record on
June 24, 1968, to challenge undefeated Champion - Joe Frazier 20-0-0 (18 KO's).

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'Smokin' Joe Frazier floored Manuel Ramos 'twice' in Round 2.

The ring physician, after examining Ramos in the corner after the Round,
advised the Referee to end the matters.

In his previous '28-bouts' Manuel Ramos had never been floored.

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Manuel 'Pulgarcito' Ramos,,,,,,,

May 16, 1966

His first 'big' win, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Manuel with a 'paltry record' of 8-6-2 (7 KO's) scored an 'upset' win {TKO 8} over
'Arizona Heavyweight' Archie Ray 20-4-2.

Archie had won '6-Straight', and was the #20 ranked Heavyweight, and a heavy-favorite to
make Manuel - 'number 7' in a row.

'Pulgarcito' also had good wins over;
* June 3, 1966..........(W Spilt Dec 10)...Eddie Machen.....47-7-3
* October 22, 1966....(KO 2).................Don Koontz.......12-2-0
* January 29, 1967.....(KO 2)................James J. Woody..10-1-0
* May 25, 1967..........(KO 2)................Floyd Joyner......22-13-3
* August 9, 1967........(TKO 3).............Johnny Featherman...27-7-1

Following the win over Johnny Featherman, Manuel Ramos 17-6-2 (15 KO's),
was ranked as the #6 Heavyweight

 

Archie Ray 20-4-2 (12 KO's) was competing at 6' 1" and 192 lbs. in 1966.

Nobody said Archie was a Top Heavyweight Challenger, but that
he had just reached the #20 ranking.

Manuel Ramos was brought in from Mexico, to fight Archie in some
Southwest Heavyweight Championship 'make believe title', that
the Phoenix promoters thought would be a good fight to sell.

By the way, the May 16, 1966 bout at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in
Phoenix, Arizona - a Monday Night bout,,,,,,,,,,,,

Drew more fans than Cassius Clay - versus- Brian 'The Blackpool Rock' London
World Heavyweight Championship bout in August 1966.

 

Manuel 'Pulgarcito' Ramos peeking at the scale.

Manuel Ramos, 'Hitting Joe Frazier will be easy, as I know I will not
have to go looking for him. The Champion is 'muy pequeno.'

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Sunday - January 29, 1967

El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos - Mexico City

In front of 40,000 Mexican fans,,,

Manuel Ramos brings some attention to the Mexican Heavyweight region, by
scoring an impressive 'knockout (KO 2) over one-time heavyweight prospect,
27 year-old New York Heavyweight - James J. Woody.

Woody, who had entered the ring at 10-1-0, was in 1966, considered a better
heavyweight prospect than Joe Frazier.

After a feeling out 1st-Round, 'Pulgarcito' floored the New York Heavyweight
with a crushing left-hook and right-cross. Woody recovered briefly, but was
again floored by another 'two-punch' attack. After rising one more time,
the American was dropped for the 'count' by a big right uppercut.

The 24 year-old - 6' 4" 210 lb. - Mexican Heavyweight, improves to 15-6-2 (13 KO's).

Offers to several ranking Heavyweights to come to Mexico to fight 'Pulgarcito',
have gone unanswered.

 

James J. Woody, Jerry Quarry and Joe Frazier all fought on the same
'fight bill' one night,,,,,,,,,,,,,March 4, 1966 at Madison Square Garden

James J. Woody got the highest praise, as the one with the 'best' boxing skills.

A very rare 'southpaw Heavyweight', who can box better than most at 200 lbs.

In January 1967,,,,,
He was brought in to Mexico, to test Manuel Ramos, who many weren't sure about.

A 'knockout' by KO 2, convinced people he could at least punch.