Late 70's into the early 80's boxing... just a few years off from my absolute favorite era of boxing. I love the "feel" broadcasts used to have, and that's without even talking about the dramatic loss of commentary talent over the years. What do you guys make of Ranzany? A fighter who turned in his best performance ever near the end of his career or simply one that took advantage of a relatively limited fighter in Sean O'Grady? This content is protected
Ranzany was a decent California welterweight of the Randy Shields, Clyde Gray, Jimmy Heair era that provided good fights for those CBS Sports Spectacular afternoons. Problem is, when he moved up against the "big boys" named Pipino Cuevas, SRL, Wilfred Benitez, Milt McCrory, etc., was facing a completely better opponent. Wilfred Benitez vs. Pete Ranzany 1980-12-12 : Wilfred Benitez 150¼ lbs beat Pete Ranzany 148½ lbs by UD in round 10 of 10 Location: Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, USA Referee: Larry Rozadilla 99-92 Judge: Henry Elespuru 97-94 Judge: Terry Smith 97-94 "Wilfred Benitez, fresh off a unanimous victory over Pete Ranzany, says he expects to win the WBA welterweight championship easily in his next fight. Ranzany made an aggressive attempt to use his greater height and reach. But Benitez continually slipped Ranzany's punches while counter-punching with short hard hooks to the body and head. Benitez shook Ranzany in the opening round with three consecutive right leads, staggered him in the 5th with a right cross and caught him in the 9th with a right that shook the local hero and drew blood from between his left eye and nose. Ranzany's best round was the 6th, when he jabbed well and forced Benitez into missing. In the last round, Benitez went for a knockout with a barrage of hooks and was practically hitting Ranzany at will, but the gutty loser rode out the assault." -Associated Press This bout was promoted by Muhammad Ali Professional Sports (MAPS) with Harold J. Smith. This content is protected in MSG on the infamous 'This is it' card promoted by Smith and MAPS which collapsed when bank fraud was reported. Attendance - 2,955 Gate - $89,952 Purses - The AP report stated that Benitez was guaranteed $75,000 and Ranzany $50,000, but a Sports Illustrated article stated that Benitez made $250,000 and Ranzany $75,000. Post fight comments "Ranzany made me change my mind about a 2nd round knockout. They told me he would be easy, but he gave me a hard fight." -Wilfred Benitez "He's a very difficult man to hit. He kept me off balance, and I couldn't put anything together." -Pete Ranzany
I remember this. It was hard to watch because Sean was in no way a welter ... just a bloated lightweight with his head messed up by his dad’s ridiculous shenanigans that cost him everything. Sean was a fine lightweight, far from an ATG but an action fighter with a bit more class than is generally credited (gritty loss to Jim Watt when Watt butted him repeatedly like a billy goat and dismantled Hilmer Kenty in a really nice performance). But no way was he viable at 147. Pete Ranzany was what I like to call a world-class club fighter. Nothing special about him but the whole was a bit better than the sum of his parts. He could grind out wins against those just below world class but his limitations showed against the top guys. Always came to fight, always gave everything that he had, game as all get-out. Sacramento was a great fight town and Pete was one of the first (or one of the first of whom I’m aware) to draw big crowds as the hometown hero there. Several more followed. Like both guys, but this isn’t the real O’Grady. Credit to Ranzany for the win. Pretty sure Sylvester Stallone promoted this, or fronted the promotion.
Good post. "World-class club fighter" is perfect for Ranzany, and your description of O'Grady is also spot on.
I'm embarrassed that I don't remember this fight; for years i've had it in my head that O'Grady lost to Ganigan and Verderosa in back to back fights, then retired.
