Luis Manuel Rodríguez


Luis Manuel Rodríguez was a Cuban professional boxer. Known as "El Feo", he began his career in pre-Castro Havana. In Cuba, he twice defeated the ill-fated future welterweight champion Benny Paret. He held the WBA, WBC, and lineal welterweight titles in 1963, and challenged once for the WBA, and WBC middleweight titles in 1969.
After the Cuban Revolution, Rodríguez campaigned in the United States. Fighting out of Miami, Rodriguez decisioned top welterweights such as Virgil Akins and Rudell Stitch.

Professional career

He was unbeaten in 36 fights before losing a split decision to Emile Griffith in a 1960 non-title fight. In 1963, Rodriguez and Griffith fought twice for the lineal welterweight title. Rodriguez defeated Griffith by a unanimous decision to win the title, but Griffith regained it three months later with a split decision. Their fourth and final meeting came in 1964, with Griffith retaining the welterweight title with a split decision.
Rodriguez was trained by Angelo Dundee at the old 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach alongside Ralph Dupas, Willie Pastrano, Florentino Fernández and Pinklon Thomas.
Rodriguez was ringside and provided ancillary television commentary for the nationally televised Thursday night, 21 March 1963 Dodger Stadium featherweight championship bout between reigning champ Davey Moore and Sugar Ramos, won after ten rounds by technical knockout by Ramos and resulting within the hour in a comatose state for Moore, and ultimately his death on 25 March. The incident was memorialized by recording artist Bob Dylan in his long-unreleased song, "Who Killed Davey Moore?"
In November 1969, Rodriguez challenged Nino Benvenuti in Rome, Italy, for the middleweight world title. In the eleventh-round, slightly ahead on points but tiring and badly cut, Benvenuti suddenly landed a perfect left hook that left Rodriguez on the floor for 5 minutes.
Rodriguez retired in 1972. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 2009 The Ring magazine ranked Rodriguez as the third-greatest Cuban boxer of all time, behind Kid Gavilán and Kid Chocolate.

Eastern Airlines Flight 202

Rodriguez and his trainers were among 33 passengers on Eastern Airlines flight 202 from Miami to Dallas, Texas, when that flight got hijacked and taken to Cuba on July 24, 1961. Rodriguez was fearful for his life since he had escaped from Cuba recently. However, Cuban authorities allowed the plane and its passengers to return to the United States without further incident. Rodriguez was on his way to a fight versus Curtis Cokes, which he eventually lost by split decision some days later, on August 3.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
121Loss107–13 Donato PaduanoSD10Apr 12, 1971 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal
120Loss107–12 Mike LankesterMD10Mar 16, 1971 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle
119Win107–11 Dave HiltonUD10Nov 30, 1971 Convention Center, Miami Beach
118Win106–11 Mike PadgettKO2 Nov 01, 1971 Lander College Athletic Gym, Greenwood
117Loss105–11 Rafael GutierrezTKO6 Aug 03, 1971 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
116Loss105–10 Bunny SterlingPTS10May 25, 1971 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
115Win105–9 Tony MundineKO1 Aug 07, 1971 North Melbourne Oval, Melbourne
114Win104–9 Bobby CassidySD10Jan 26, 1971 Auditorium, Miami Beach
113Win103–9 J C PonderKO5 Dec 01, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
112Win102–9 Jose GonzalezUD12Sep 24, 1970 Convention Center, Miami Beach
111Win101–9 Fraser ScottMD10Aug 20, 1970 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle
110Loss100–9 Jose GonzalezPTS10Jul 31, 1970 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
109Win100–8 Baby Boy RolleTKO5 Jun 27, 1970 Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove
108Win99–8 Willie WarrenUD10Apr 14, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
107Win98–8 Joe CokesTKO4 Mar 17, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
106Win97–8 Porter RolleKO4 Feb 10, 1970 Auditorium, Miami Beach
105Loss96–8 Nino BenvenutiKO11 Nov 22, 1969 Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma For WBA, and WBC middleweight titles
104Win96–7 Tom BetheaUD10Sep 23, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
103Win95–7 David BecklesTKO2 Aug 12, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
102Win94–7 Eddie OwensKO7 Jul 08, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
101Win93–7 Rafael GutierrezTKO6 Mar 31, 1969 Sports Arena, San Diego
100Win92–7 Bobby WilliamsTKO7 Feb 20, 1969 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa
99Win91–7 Doug HuntleyUD10Jan 21, 1969 Auditorium, Miami Beach
98Win90–7 Joe ShawUD10Nov 15, 1968 Madison Square Garden, New York
97Win89–7 Rudy RodriguezTKO4 Sep 04, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
96Win88–7 Vicente RondónUD10Jul 18, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
95Loss87–7 Vicente RondónUD10Jun 03, 1968 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
94Win87–6 Ted WrightUD10May 05, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach
93Win86–6 Carl MooreUD10Mar 26, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach
92Win85–6 Charley AustinTKO6 Feb 06, 1968 Auditorium, Miami Beach
91Win84–6 Bennie BriscoeUD10Dec 15, 1967 Madison Square Garden, New York
90Win83–6 Candy McFarlandPTS10Nov 16, 1967 Maracaibo
89Win82–6 Percy ManningTKO1 Nov 06, 1967 Nuevo Circo, Caracas
88Win81–6 Phil RobinsonKO3 Sep 29, 1967 Caracas
87Win80–6 Ferd HernandezUD10Sep 07, 1967 Coliseum Arena, Oakland
86Win79–6 Jimmy LesterUD10Jun 28, 1967 Coliseum Arena, Oakland
85Win78–6 Juan Carlos RiveroUD10Jun 04, 1967 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
84Win77–6 Bennie BriscoeUD10Mar 20, 1967 Arena, Philadelphia
83Win76–6 Esteban Alfredo OsunaPTS10Feb 18, 1967 Rosario
82Win75–6 Manuel AlvarezKO8 Jan 20, 1967 Club Atletico Quilmes, Mar del Plata
81Win74–6 Ruben OrricoTKO4 Sep 24, 1966 Rosario
80Win73–6 Juarez de LimaKO3 Sep 09, 1966 Estadio Norte, Rosario
79Loss72–6 Curtis CokesTKO15 Jul 06, 1966 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans
78Win72–5 Tommy CaldwellTKO2 May 07, 1966 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
77Loss71–5 Percy ManningSD10Apr 11, 1966 Arena, Philadelphia
76Win71–4 George BentonTKO9 Mar 07, 1966 Arena, Philadelphia
75Win70–4 Joey LimasTKO4 Jan 25, 1966 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
74Win69–4 Fred McWilliamsTKO9 Jan 18, 1966 Sportatorium, Phoenix
73Win68–4 Joe Louis MurphyKO4 Dec 20, 1965 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
72Win67–4 Eddie PaceUD10Dec 02, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
71Win66–4 Cecil MottTKO4 Nov 16, 1965 Auditorium, Miami Beach
70Win65–4 Johnny MorrisTKO2 Oct 04, 1965 Arena, Philadelphia
69Win64–4 Rubin CarterUD10Aug 26, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
68Win63–4 Charley AustinUD10Aug 03, 1965 Sportatorium, Phoenix
67Win62–4 Jose AssuncaoUD10Jul 26, 1965 Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas
66Win61–4 Memo AyonRTD3 Jul 16, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
65Win60–4 Rip RandallUD10Apr 21, 1965 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa
64Win59–4 John Henry SmithKO10 Mar 26, 1965 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
63Win58–4 Rubin CarterUD10Feb 12, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York
62Win57–4 LC MorganKO2 Nov 14, 1964 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City
61Loss56–4 Emile GriffithSD15Jun 12, 1964 Auditorium, Miami Beach For WBA, WBC, and lineal welterweight titles
60Win56–3 Jesse SmithUD10Apr 04, 1964 Auditorium, Miami Beach
59Win55–3 Holley MimsUD10Mar 20, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York
58Win54–3 Wilbert McClureUD10Dec 27, 1963 Auditorium, Miami Beach
57Win53–3 Wilbert McClureUD10Oct 18, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York
56Win52–3 Denny MoyerTKO9 Aug 17, 1963 Convention Center, Miami Beach
55Loss51–3 Emile GriffithSD15Jun 08, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York Lost WBA, and WBC welterweight titles
54Win51–2 Emile GriffithUD15Mar 21, 1963 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Won WBA, and WBC welterweight titles
53Win50–2 Joey GiambraUD10Jan 19, 1963 Auditorium, Miami Beach
52Win49–2 Mel CollinsUD10Dec 12, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach
51Win48–2 Santiago GutierrezTKO3 Nov 06, 1962 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio
50Win47–2 Ernest BurfordTKO7 Aug 29, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach
49Win46–2 Gene ArmstrongTKO8 Jun 03, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York
48Win45–2 Yama BahamaTKO3 May 05, 1962 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
47Win44–2 Ricardo FalechTKO3 Mar 17, 1962 Auditorium, Miami Beach
46Win43–2 Luis Federico ThompsonUD10Jan 27, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York
45Win42–2 Curtis CokesUD10Dec 02, 1961 Convention Center, Miami Beach
44Win41–2 Jose GonzalezTKO7 Oct 24, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach
43Win40–2 Guy SumlinTKO5 Sep 13, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach
42Loss39–2 Curtis CokesSD10Aug 03, 1961 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
41Win39–1 Alfredo CotaKO4 May 13, 1961 Arena Mexico, Guadalajara
40Win38–1 Alvaro GutierrezTKO5 Apr 15, 1961 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
39Win37–1 Johnny GonsalvesUD10Mar 22, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland
38Win36–1 Lyle MackinTKO5 Feb 21, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland
37Loss35–1 Emile GriffithSD10Dec 17, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York
36Win35–0 Johnny GonsalvesUD10Nov 28, 1960 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
35Win34–0 Yama BahamaMD10Nov 16, 1960 Auditorium, Miami Beach
34Win33–0 Mel CollinsUD10Oct 24, 1960 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa
33Win32–0 Basil CampbellKO5 Aug 17, 1960 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
32Win31–0 Virgil AkinsUD10Jul 06, 1960 Freedom Hall, Louisville
31Win30–0 Alfredo CotaKO2 May 26, 1960 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
30Win29–0 Alvaro GutierrezTKO4 Apr 07, 1960 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
29Win28–0 Chico VejarUD10May 02, 1960 Auditorium, Miami Beach
28Win27–0 Carl HubbardKO4 Feb 10, 1960 Convention Center, Miami Beach
27Win26–0 Garnet HartUD10Dec 23, 1959 Auditorium, Miami Beach
26Win25–0 Isaac LogartUD10Oct 21, 1959 Auditorium, Miami Beach
25Win24–0 Larry BakerUD10Oct 03, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
24Win23–0 Rudell StitchSD10Aug 26, 1959 State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Louisville
23Win22–0 Virgil AkinsUD10Jun 17, 1959 Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach
22Win21–0 Cecil ShortsKO9 May 09, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
21Win20–0 Joe MiceliTKO5 Feb 21, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
20Win19–0 Juan PadillaPTS10Nov 22, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
19Win18–0 Kid FichiqueUD12Sep 20, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
18Win17–0 Benny ParetSD10Aug 09, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
17Win16–0 Charley ScottKO9 Jul 26, 1958 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
16Win15–0 Tony ArmenterosPTS10Apr 19, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
15Win14–0 Rolando RodriguezKO4 Mar 29, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
14Win13–0 Benny ParetUD10Feb 08, 1958 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
13Win12–0 Rolando RodriguezPTS8Nov 16, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
12Win11–0 Gomeo BrennanPTS8Sep 28, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
11Win10–0 Guillermo DiazDQ6 Jul 20, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
10Win9–0 Guillermo DiazPTS6Jun 22, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
9Win8–0 Vicente ReyesPTS6May 18, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
8Win7–0 Vicente ReyesPTS6Mar 23, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
7Win6–0 Guillermo DiazPTS6Feb 16, 1957 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
6Win5–0 Jose HernandezKO5 Jan 12, 1957 Arena Trejo, Havana
5NC4–0 Jose HernandezNC2 Dec 15, 1956 Arena Trejo, Havana Bout suspended by rain downpour
4Win4–0 Pablo CardenasTKO2 Nov 24, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
3Win3–0 Julian YanezPTS4Oct 20, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
2Win2–0 Vicente ReyesPTS4Jul 21, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
1Win1–0 Lazaro Hernandez KessellKO3 Jun 02, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana