Very rarely mentioned fighter out of Los Angeles. A tough-banging Welterweight, who was a crowd pleaser at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. October 1973, fought one the great fights in Los Angeles with Armando Muniz. Was one of the 1973 Fights of the Year at The Olympic. Zovek was 14-2-0 (12 KO's) and took on the heavily favored #7 Ranked Welterweight, Armando Muniz 29-4-1 (21 KO's). Muniz the tough and rock-jawed California-based fighter was on a roll, and was heading for a Welterweight Title fight. Armando 'El Hombre' had won '5' straight fights, including a Knock-out over popular Ernie Lopez. Barajas, had burst upon the scene, with a major upset in January 1973, by knocking out Hawaiian sensation Young Kennedy (the #6 ranked Welterweight) in January 1973. Zovek also followed that up, with another knock-out of Young Kennedy, to confirm it was no fluke. Zovek, did something no else could do, he hurt Armando Muniz. In Round 6, he staggered Muniz and battered him, only to have Muniz come charging back. A great night and great fight The Olympic.
Shortly after that Zovek stopped Billy Backus in 3 and was poised in the top ten, but he looked like crap against a clubfighter (I think his name was Sosa) after that and then in a big upset was KOd by Philly's Billy Lloyd. In a rematch Lloyd turned the trick again. It was reported at this time that Zovek was suffering from a 'social disorder'. Heard he loved the skirts. That was really the end of Zovek. He was never the same. Muniz in turn absolutely blitzed Lloyd in the 1st round to regain his status and Ko'd Barajas in a rematch. The only brief flash Zovek ever showed again was decking Carlos Palomino to pull out a draw. A great footnote because he was only one of 3 men to deck Carlos. Muniz and Duran being the other two. I saw every one of his fights we just mentioned except for the 1st Lloyd fight. Also saw his fights with Gil King and Tony Lopez (not the world champ). Barajas could really whack in his prime. Incidentally the name Zovek (his real name is Hipolito) was derived from a traveling carnival passing through Zacatecas when he was a boy. There was a magician who called himself 'Zovek the great'. Scartissue
Nice stuff, scar 'T' That kid could whack. And he could switch from orthodox to southpaw, as good as anyone at that time. Saw the highlights of him putting away the Hawaiian, Young Kennedy. A fighter who many thought was the goods for the Welterweight Title, and ranked #6 at the time. Kennedy was 20-1-0 (17 KO's), and had won 20 straight fights, after losing his debut fight on a cut. Zovek went to Hawaii, with a 9-1-0 (7 KO's) record, and on only 5-days notice. He was supposed to be bait for the Hawaiian. He took everything Kennedy could throw for 2 rounds, then in the 3rd Round Zovek bombed him out with a left upper-cut from his southpaw-stance. One of the biggest upsets in the Hawaiian Islands.
do you guy know where can i find his figths??? i found the muniz one but they should be some more out there.. scartissue you mention that you seen his figths, any information??? thanks
I saw those fights on the old 'Boxing from the Olympic' series which aired back in the '70s. Some fights have surfaced and man, would I like to get my hands on some of them, but for the most part they rarely surface. Scartissue
Zovek Barajas also had a draw with Palomino, but stopped in the rematch... Heard he was much better than his record indicated 21-13-1-18 kos.. Lot of fights on short noticed was also matched tough in back to back fights.. Would have had a better career if managed right... Faded out and became a steppingstone late in his career.
John, this post from Il Duce was from January. As near as i can see he hasn't posted anything since March. Hope all is cool. I always liked his posts. Scartissue
Yeah just seen that. Also noticed that the thread about Il Duce by BigJake has been removed. Whats the story there? Is there something going down im not aware off?
