Eladio Valdés


Eladio "Black Bill" Valdés was a Cuban boxer of the 1920s.
Small of stature at 5 feet, 3.5 inches and weighing between 109–115 pounds, he was managed by Luis "Pincho" Gutiérrez and trained by Moe Fleischer. He made his first official appearance on September 11, 1920 in a fight in Havana, his native city, where he defeated Diego Blanco in the fourth round.
Valdés continued to fight throughout the 1920s, dividing his fights between Havana and New York City. Although he was neither large nor a power hitter, he was known for throwing opponents off guard by attacking with agility and angled punches.

Cuban flyweight and light flyweight champion, 1921-3

On November 6, 1921, he was proclaimed Cuban Flyweight Champion after his defeat of Dixie Lewis, and presented with a belt that month. On May 7, 1923, in Havana, he defeated Genaro Pino for the Light Flyweight Championship of Cuba in 12 rounds.

Challenging for the world flyweight championship, 1930

On March 21, 1930, he unsuccessfully challenged Midget Wolgast for a version of the World Flyweight Title at Madison Square Garden.
During his career, he defeated opponents such as Johnny McCoy, Willie Davies, "Corporal" Izzy Schwartz, Sammy Bienfield, the French boxer Eugène Huat, Happy Atherton, Genaro Pino, Marty Gold, Bobby Green, Henry Catena, Pinky Silverberg, and Benny Marks.
Plagued by alcoholism and boxing-related blindness, Valdés committed suicide while in Harlem, New York, on May 14, 1933.