If you feel like sharing drop it here. I’m taking my time to learn about Carlos outside the ring but the man is an enigma for such a public presence.
Carlos Monzon was born on Aug 7 1942 in a town called Santa Fe, Argentina. He used to beat up bigger boys who tried to rob him of money on street corners as he sold newspapers. His youth was filled with poverty, helping to support his siblings. He was taken under the wing by a local trainer, Amilcar Brusa, who later would train 14 world champions, and would remain his lifelong trainer. Monzon began his career in Feb 1963, stopping Ramon Montenegro. During 1964, he lost decisions to Antonio Auguilar, Felipe Cambiero, and Alberto Massi, the Massi loss on Oct 9 1964 would be his last loss as a professional, he avenged his 3 losses, began his 82 bout unbeaten streak. He defeated Jorge Fernandez for the South American Title in 1966. Carlos did have 9 draws during that unbeaten string, also avenged 8 of the 9 draws. On Nov 7 1970 in Rome Italy, stopped World Middleweight Champion Nino Benvenuti in round 12 rounds. Fought Benvenuti again in Monte Carlo, Monaco, TKO 3. Defended against Emile Griffith on Sept 25 1971 in Luna Park, stopped Griffith by TKO 14. In 1972 defeated Denny Moyer, Jean Claude Bouttier, Tom Bogs, then on Nov 11 1972 in Luna Park, defeated Bennie Briscoe by unanimous decision. In 1973 defeated Emile Griffith and Jean Claude Bouttier by decisions. On Feb 9 1974 stopped World Welterweight Champion Jose Napoles by TKO 7, in Paris, France, then on Oct 5 1974 stopped Tony Mundine, KO 7, in Luna Park. Then in his only U.S appearance, Carlos stopped U. S Champion Tony Licata, TKO 10, in Madison Square Garden. On Dec 5 1974, Monzon stopped Gratien Tonna in Paris, France, KO 5. On June 26 1976, Monzon defeated WBC champion Rodrigo Valdes, unanimous decision, in Monte Carlo, Monaco, even decking Valdes in round 14. On July 30 1977 again defeated Rodrigo Valdes by unanimous decision despite suffering a knockdown in round 2. Carlos retired with his title on August 29 1877, he did the wise thing, retiring while on top, only the foolish and greedy do not. He was a methodical boxer, sticking out his long left jab, always countering to the head and body, setting up his booming right hand, had an iron chin, never got flustered in the ring, was extremely confident, not boastful. Final record was 89-3-9 , 61 KO's. We ran into each other on March 24 1979 at the Sugar Ray Leonard vs Daniel Gonzales fight.
Excellent post. I have to ask how tall is Monzon in person if you got to make the gist of it? His height has been listed as high as 6ft1.
When I saw him, he looked about 6 ft, but he is listed at 5 ft, 11 inches. He looked as a proud confident man, he appeared friendly toward me as we approached each other, we nodded up at each other. I was leaving the restroom on my way to buy a beer at the concession stand.
This is why you need to carry pen and paper always. I carry a notebook and pen in my pocket whenever I leave my home a benefit is If I run into a bonified legend like Monzon I won't miss the chance to ask him for a signature!
When I encountered Carlos Monzon, he appeared to be on his way to catch a plane home as Daniel Gonzales was trained by his lifelong trainer Amilcar Brusa, Monzon got a standing ovation when introduced at ring center before the Sugar Ray Leonard vs Daniel Gonzales fight. I think Carlos returned home to finish a movie that he starred in, he was a movie actor following his retirement from boxing.
I remember an interview in a boxing magazine where Monzon was very critical of how American boxers sparred and basically said they went too hard instead of working on fundamental things.
I saw the same interview in 1987,Carlos did not spar much, very little. He did roadwork, worked on the heavy bag. When he did spar, his sparring partners said that he hit too hard, many refused to spar with him.
Can't remember what boxing magazine I saw it in. Think I have it somewhere. Monzon also smoked. And as camp went on supposedly smoked less and less.
Whatever his extra curricular activities were otherwise, , it seems when Monzon hit camp it was spartan like, Carlos fully respecting the importance of conditioning etc. for the best outcomes. I read a nice little anecdote a while back. Monzon was at some function, suit and tie, looking none too thrilled. A cub reporter (the scribe in this instance) began to approach Carlos who then cracked a big smile. The reporter thought, wow, how cool is that? However, the reporter turned around and saw that Bad Bennie Briscoe was approaching and Monzon’s sudden change in disposition was due to seeing his old foe. This was after both their fights I believe and they had apparently become good friends. Funny but actually understandable how the act of trying to punch each other’s lights out can ultimately yield such respect, admiration and compatibility not even seen in the best of friends who have never been combative. . It’s not at all an uncommon phenomena both in the ring and out. Great stuff!
It was in a Ring Magazine interview in 1987. Carlos Monzon appeared to be pulling for Marvelous Marvin Hagler when he fought Sugar Ray Leonard, Carlos said that Hagler was too light for that fight, should have stopped Leonard.
A short while after the Bouttier fight ( 2nd I think ) a reporter when learning that Carlos had fought the whole fight with an damaged right hand enquired of Monzon " Carlos, if your hand had been better, would you have knocked him down more times ? " came the reply " if my hand had been better, I would have only needed to have knocked him down once " there you go... keep well.
