Wikipedia

Willie Pastrano

Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano (November 27, 1935 – December 6, 1997) was an American former professional boxer who competed from 1951 to 1965. He held the undisputed WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles between 1963 and 1965.

Willie Pastrano
Born
Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano

(1935-11-27)November 27, 1935
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 6, 1997(1997-12-06) (aged 62)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights83
Wins62
Wins by KO14
Losses13
Draws8

Early life

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Pastrano was born in New Orleans. Pastrano's best friend, Ralph Dupas started training in boxing at a local gym. Pastrano, who weighed over 250 pounds, decided to start working out with his friend.

As Willie lost weight, he realized two things. First, he loved boxing. Second, he hated getting hit. So, Pastrano developed a style of boxing in which he hardly got hit, and in return, tried not to hurt his opponent as well.

Pastrano was already married as a teenager, and by 1962, he and his wife Faye had five children: John (born 1955), Donna (1957), Frank (1959), Nicholas (1960), and Angelo (1962).

Pro career

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Pastrano began his career at the age of 16. He fought many heavyweights and outpointed heavyweight contenders Rex Layne, Brian London, and Tom McNeeley.

Pastrano won the world light heavyweight championship when he outpointed the great Harold Johnson on a close 15-round decision. He successfully defended his crown by stopping Gregorio Peralta of Argentina on a TKO, and by coming back from a certain defeat on points to KO English challenger Terry Downes in 11 rounds in Manchester, England. Pastrano lost his crown when he was TKOed by José Torres in 10 rounds (the same fight where the ringside doctor asked if he knew where he was, leading to Pastrano's legendary line of "You're damn right I know where I am! I'm in Madison Square Garden getting the shit kicked out of me!"). In the Torres fight, Pastrano was knocked down for the only time in his career by a powerful left hook to the liver. Pastrano retired after that match and never fought again.

Managed by the legendary Angelo Dundee, Pastrano was a smooth, quick boxer with a great left hand. He was a stablemate of Cassius Clay and often sparred with the future champion early in Clay's career. His talent was dissipated by his aversion to training and a fondness for partying and carousing. His success was also limited by his lack of punching power, hence his record of only 14 knockout wins in his 84 fights. Nevertheless, he defeated most of the light heavyweight challengers of his generation. He also outpointed former light heavyweight champion Joey Maxim, and boxed a draw with the legendary Archie Moore. He retired with a record of 63 wins (14 by KO), 13 losses and 8 draws.

Perhaps in the high point of his career, Pastrano appeared on the cover of March 22, 1965, issue of Sports Illustrated with the caption reading "Light Heavyweight Willie Pastrano Ready to Defend His Title".

Life after boxing

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After he retired from boxing, Pastrano became a spokesman for a local Miami, Florida milk company. On August 30, 1966, in the Milwaukee Sentinel, it was reported that Pastrano had been secretly training for a comeback, but an auto injury had sidelined it.[1]

In 1967, Pastrano became the official host of the Presidential Steak House in Miami Beach, Florida.

However, urged on by his good friend, singer Steve Alaimo, Pastrano embarked on a film career which spanned from 1967 to 1971.[2]

In 1964, Pastrano appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show.[2]

Pastrano's best regarded acting role was in the "B" motorcycle gang film, The Wild Rebels, which starred Steve Alaimo.

Pastrano said in a 1980 interview he was a heroin addict from 1966 to 1969.[3] In the same interview, he claimed to have robbed to support his drug addiction.

He became a drifter. Owen Thomas helped him out in his time of need. He worked as a host in a restaurant in Reno, Nevada; a chip runner in Las Vegas, and a bouncer in a strip-club in Miami[3]

His well-documented party life-style led to health problems, and Pastrano's film career ended. While living in Las Vegas in the early 1970s, he claimed to be training for a comeback when interviewed for the book, In This Corner.

Pastrano was reported to be boxing in Puerto Rico in 1972, but a fighter was using a name similar to the former champion, Willie Pastrana. Pastrano never made a comeback.

In 1980, Pastrano was the manager for pro-boxer, Chubby Johnson in New Orleans.[3]

After many years of failing health, Pastrano died of liver cancer on December 9, 1997, at the age of 62.[4]

Professional boxing record

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83 fights 62 wins 13 losses
By knockout 14 2
By decision 48 11
Draws 8
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
83 Loss 62–13–8 José Torres TKO 9 (15)
3:00 		Mar 30, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
82 Win 62–12–8 Terry Downes TKO 11 (15), 1:17 Nov 30, 1964 Kings Hall, Manchester, North West England, England Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
81 Win 61–12–8 Gregorio Peralta TKO 5 (15), 3:00 Apr 10, 1964 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
80 Win 60–12–8 Mike Holt PTS 10 Nov 30, 1963 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
79 Loss 59–12–8 Gregorio Peralta UD 10 Sep 20, 1963 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
78 Win 59–11–8 Ollie Wilson UD 10 Aug 31, 1963 Jacksonville Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
77 Win 58–11–8 Harold Johnson SD 15 Jun 1, 1963 Las Vegas Convention Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
76 Win 57–11–8 Wayne Thornton MD 10 May 4, 1963 Las Vegas Convention Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
75 Draw 56–11–8 Wayne Thornton MD 10 Mar 23, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
74 Loss 56–11–7 Wayne Thornton UD 10 Feb 9, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
73 Win 56–10–7 Rodolfo Diaz SD 10 Sep 8, 1962 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
72 Win 55–10–7 Billy Ryan UD 10 Jun 25, 1962 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
71 Draw 54–10–7 Archie Moore MD 10 May 28, 1962 Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
70 Win 54–10–6 Tom McNeeley UD 10 May 1, 1962 Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
69 Draw 53–10–6 Lennart Risberg PTS 12 Aug 6, 1961 Stockholm Olympic Stadium, Stockholm, Södermanland, Sweden
68 Loss 53–10–5 Jesse Bowdry UD 10 Dec 27, 1960 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
67 Loss 53–9–5 Chic Calderwood PTS 10 Sep 16, 1960 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland
66 Win 53–8–5 Sonny Ray UD 10 Jun 1, 1960 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
65 Win 52–8–5 Alonzo Johnson UD 10 May 6, 1960 Fairgrounds Coliseum, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
64 Win 51–8–5 George Kartalian RTD 6 (10) Apr 9, 1960 Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
63 Win 50–8–5 Jerry Luedee UD 10 Jan 20, 1960 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
62 Win 49–8–5 Charley Pavlis UD 10 Dec 7, 1959 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
61 Win 48–8–5 Tom Davis TKO 3 (10) Aug 20, 1959 Chilhowee Park, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
60 Loss 47–8–5 Alonzo Johnson UD 10 Jul 24, 1959 Freedom Hall State Fairground, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
59 Loss 47–7–5 Joe Erskine PTS 10 Feb 24, 1959 Wembley Stadium, London, England
58 Loss 47–6–5 Brian London TKO 5 (10) Sep 30, 1958 Harringay Arena, London, England
57 Win 47–5–5 Tommy Thompson KO 4 (10), 2:31 Aug 25, 1958 City Auditorium, Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
56 Win 46–5–5 Franco Cavicchi PTS 10 Jun 15, 1958 Sports Palace, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
55 Win 45–5–5 Joe Bygraves PTS 10 Apr 21, 1958 Granby Halls, Leicester, England
54 Win 44–5–5 Brian London PTS 10 Feb 25, 1958 Harringay Arena, London, England
53 Win 43–5–5 Willi Besmanoff UD 10 Nov 27, 1957 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
52 Win 42–5–5 Dick Richardson PTS 10 Oct 22, 1957 Harringay Arena, London, England
51 Win 41–5–5 George Peyton TKO 8 (10) Sep 10, 1957 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
50 Loss 40–5–5 Roy Harris UD 10} Jun 11, 1957 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
49 Win 40–4–5 Neal Welch UD 10 May 14, 1957 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
48 Win 39–4–5 John Holman UD 10 Feb 20, 1957 State Fairgrounds, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
47 Win 38–4–5 Charley Norkus UD 10 Dec 26, 1956 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
46 Win 37–4–5 Pat McMurtry UD 10 Aug 24, 1956 Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
45 Win 36–4–5 Chuck Spieser SD 10 May 30, 1956 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
44 Win 35–4–5 Johnny Arthur UD 10 Apr 4, 1956 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
43 Draw 34–4–5 Chuck Spieser PTS 10 Jan 27, 1956 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
42 Win 34–4–4 Rex Layne UD 10 Dec 19, 1955 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
41 Win 33–4–4 Joey Rowan UD 10 Nov 18, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
40 Win 32–4–4 Paddy Young UD 10 Oct 3, 1955 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
39 Win 31–4–4 Chuck Spieser UD 10 Jul 27, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
38 Win 30–4–4 Joey Maxim UD 10 Jun 28, 1955 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
37 Draw 29–4–4 Willie Troy PTS 10 Apr 22, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
36 Win 29–4–3 Al Andrews UD 10 Mar 23, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
35 Win 28–4–3 Tony Johnson UD 10 Mar 1, 1955 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
34 Win 27–4–3 Bobby Dykes UD 10 Nov 23, 1954 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
33 Win 26–4–3 Jackie LaBua SD 10 Sep 14, 1954 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
32 Win 25–4–3 Jimmy Martinez PTS 10 Aug 24, 1954 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
31 Win 24–4–3 Tommy Bazzano TKO 8 (10) Aug 9, 1954 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
30 Win 23–4–3 Tommy Hatcher KO 1 (10) Jun 18, 1954 Abba Temple Auditorium, Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
29 Win 22–4–3 Jacques Royer-Crecy UD 10 Apr 12, 1954 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
28 Win 21–4–3 Jimmy Martinez UD 10 Mar 29, 1954 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
27 Loss 20–4–3 Italo Scortichini SD 10 Nov 30, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
26 Win 20–3–3 Elmer Beltz MD 8 Oct 5, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
25 Draw 19–3–3 Elmer Beltz PTS 10 Sep 22, 1953 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
24 Loss 19–3–2 Del Flanagan SD 8 Jul 14, 1953 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
23 Loss 19–2–2 Johnny Cesario MD 8 May 25, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
22 Win 19–1–2 Chato Hernandez UD 8 Apr 6, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
21 Win 18–1–2 Roger Trevino UD 8 Mar 16, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
20 Win 17–1–2 Chick Boucher TKO 3 (10), 1:08 Mar 3, 1953 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
19 Win 16–1–2 Emerson Butcher UD 8 Feb 24, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
18 Win 15–1–2 Alfredo LaGrutta UD 8 Jan 26, 1953 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
17 Draw 14–1–2 Alvin Pellegrini MD 8 Dec 15, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
16 Win 14–1–1 Alvin Boudreaux TKO 2 (6), 1:59 Nov 24, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Win 13–1–1 Alvin Pellegrini UD 6 Nov 17, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Win 12–1–1 Lonnie Rylant KO 3 (6), 1:44 Oct 14, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
13 Loss 11–1–1 Alvin Pellegrini PTS 6 Oct 6, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
12 Win 11–0–1 Johnny Capitano PTS 6 Sep 8, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
11 Win 10–0–1 Sonny Luciano PTS 8 Aug 19, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
10 Win 9–0–1 Sonny Luciano PTS 8 Aug 5, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
9 Win 8–0–1 Jimmy Carter KO 4 (6), 1:00 Jul 28, 1952 Sports Palace, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1 Al McCoy KO 2 (6) Jul 22, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1 John Chaney PTS 6 Jul 8, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1 Buzz Brown KO 2 (4), 2:56 Jul 1, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
5 Draw 4–0–1 Alvin Pellegrini PTS 4 Apr 21, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Alvin Boudreaux PTS 4 Apr 1, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Jimmy Conino PTS 4 Oct 1, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Frankie Speed PTS 4 Sep 17, 1951 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Domingo Rivera PTS 4 Sep 10, 1951 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Milwaukee Sentinel - Google News Archive Search". Archived from the original on 2016-05-11.
  2. ^ a b "Willie Pastrano". IMDb.
  3. ^ a b c "The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search". Archived from the original on 2016-05-27.
  4. ^ Willie Pastrano, 62, Boxing Champ in 1960's
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Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA light heavyweight champion
June 1, 1963 – March 30, 1965 		Succeeded by
WBC light heavyweight champion
June 1, 1963 – March 30, 1965
The Ring light heavyweight champion
June 1, 1963 – March 30, 1965
Undisputed light heavyweight champion
June 1, 1963 – March 30, 1965
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