Sot a 22 year old up and comer rebounding from his loss to Chnag, Charlie on the dusty road to retirement. Not exactly career defining but It was a good flyweight scrap and Charlie was game.
My father's friend was a well noted amateur Boxer and was friends with Magri, at one point living with him around the start (?) of his career (if I am remembering old man recollections correctly lol). He said that at one point Magri was eating one piece of toast a day to make the weight. Magri was a good fighter, game, skilled and strong. He was just dealing with a prime beast in Chitalada - I doubt he'd ever beat him. I've wanted to see Magri's bout with Laciar for a long time to see how he won it. @Tin_Ribs has said that footage exists and that he has seen it, but I can't find it on the internet.
I’ve never actually watched any of Charlie’s best work. Suggestions? Interesting stuff- did your old man say much about Charlie?
I can't remember much to be honest mate, but I can actually go ask him today. I do remember them saying that Magri was a super strong straight puncher and that he always had weight troubles. Off the top of my head, I'd suggest taking a look at his fight with Alfonso Lopez, who in his pomp was an effective and flashy Boxer. Other than that, I'd just check them all out - he was an exciting and vulnerable fighter. He had some very good fights at the British / Euro level. I also just found out he has a Twitter. https://twitter.com/CharlieMagri This content is protected
Thanks man always nice to have original content. I’d even be interested if you did your own ring style best jab ect with your dad tbh.
I spoke to my dad. He doesn't have much more to add today unfortunately. He said that Magri and his friend (who I won't name for obvious reasons) lived and trained together for just shy of 2 years. Apparently both were of a similar, if not same, level of talent. The difference was the almost ascetic level of eating and weight stress. He didn't go pro because he couldn't handle the dieting Magri and other top guys were doing. As I said, Magri would do things such as live on single pieces of toast before the weigh in. Apparently the stress was ridiculous. It gave the guy a bit of a shock, and this is someone who had 100+ bouts with pretty regular consistency at a high level. Sorry I don't have much more to add, but is is possible this guy is coming to visit my gym again soon, coincidently. If he does turn up, I'll try and get some stories for you.
Some great stuff here. I like this fight. Chitalada was an absolute animal at his peak. I seem to remember him having an uppercut which he whipped in like a Scythe. That great jab, combined with a sizzling right and deft feet meant he was a horrible match-up for most around that level. He does seem to have a bit of an issue with 'off-beat' brawlers. He showed this flaw vs Bernal, Kittikasem and to a lesser extent, even Kim. He seemed to get a little flustered by their pressure and power. Makes me think he would've have gotten past guys like Antonio Avelar or Tae-Shik Kim. Maybe not, though. That said, he was an extraordinary fighter and a collosal flyweight. Pretty sure he was cutting down from above super-feather to get to fly. Insane weight cutting. Magri gave him a good fight here. This fight is an awesome battle, but quite possibly, not even top three on hy list of favourite Magri fights. There's parts of Magri's style/attributes which really remind me of Bobby Chacon. Massive heart, entertaining style and freakish talent, but a tough life and loved a scrap. Obviously Chacon was more talented, had a harder life and was even more entertaining, but Magri was definitely a great watch. Easily one of the most entertaining flyweights. Check out his fights with Eleoncio Mercedes and Frank Cedeno. Both are unbelievable back and forths, and really show what Charlie was made of, as well as his limitations. Rough's right, the Lopez fight is a good un too. The Torres and Diaz fights should be wicked too, but I can't seem to find them. @roughdiamond, Magri vs Laciar is out there. I bought part of it off Woller, and from the five/six rounds or so I've got, it looks legit. Very fun scrap, constant action and a disciplined performance from Magri. Charlie just kept turning and jabbing when Laciar tried to close the gap. Santos didn't look like the finished article, which is a little strange given how great he looked not too long after, vs Mathebula. IIRC, Magri actually even dropped Laciar in the final round. Will dig it out when I get home.
