Lupe Pintor
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José Guadalupe Pintor Guzmán (born April 13, 1955), better known as Lupe Pintor, is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1995. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC bantamweight title from 1979 to 1983 and the WBC super bantamweight title from 1985 to 1986.
Early life and his career
Lupe Pintor was born into a poor, working-class family in Cuajimalpa, just outside Mexico City in 1955 and is alleged to have had an extremely violent relationship with his father, eventually forcing him to run away. He lived for some time on the city streets and began boxing professionally in 1974.
He opened his account with a second-round knockout of Manuel Vázquez and immediately stepped up to ten round bouts, claiming a decision over Francisco Nunez on his next outing. He suffered his first loss three fights later, when he was disqualified against Magarito Lozano, but claimed victory in his next eight bouts, seven by knockout, including wins over notables Juan Díaz, Rocky Mijares and Willie Jespen.
Pintor first boxed future World Bantamweight Champion Alberto Davila on 25 February 1976, losing a decision over ten rounds, then embarked on a winning streak of some twenty-two fights in a row. Amongst the fighters he beat during this period were Gerald Hayes – who later conquered Juan Laporte – and Antonio Becerra, the only man to get the better of Salvador Sánchez as a professional boxer.
He then travelled to Puerto Rico, where he lost a ten-round decision to Leo Cruz – himself a future world champion. Upon returning to Mexico, Pintor lost for the second time in a row, carelessly dropping a decision to journeyman Jose Luis Soto. Another winning streak, comprising five fights in a row, all by way of knockout and he was ready for a shot at the world title.
World championships
Carlos Zarate was Pintor's stable mate and a fellow Mexican. He was an outstanding champion and continues to be rated one of the very best of all Bantamweights. The records, however, show that Pintor edged a very close and controversial split decision, following a remarkable contest that saw him hit the canvas in round four. But the judges were so at variance when recording their verdict, that (like already stated) the contest remains a matter of controversy today. Naturally, the new world champion's relationship with Zarate – already strained – took another hit and Zarate retired in disgust.
Pintor was a busy champion and he began his reign by engaging in three non-title bouts, beating Aucencio Melendez by a knockout in the first and avenging his loss to Jose Luis Soto before losing a rematch with Manuel Vázquez by a knockout in six. Then he began to defend his title in earnest, retaining it with a knockout in twelve over Alberto Sandoval in Los Angeles and drawing over fifteen with Eijiro Murata in Tokyo.
His next bout ended tragically. He defended against Johnny Owen of Wales in Los Angeles. Many of the fans present and the authors of The Ring's Boxing in The 20th Century, have agreed that the fight should have been stopped during round ten. But it carried on until the close of the twelfth, when Pintor unleashed a savage right-hand, knocking his opponent out cold. Owen failed to regain consciousness, lapsed into a coma and died seven weeks later. This fight was documented in the film Faces of Death II.
Saddened, Pintor – encouraged by Owen's family – resumed his career by avenging his loss to Davila, retaining the title by unanimous decision. He went on to retain the belt against Jose Uziga – again by decision – and Jovito Rengifo, by a knockout in eight. He stopped Hurricane Teru in the fifteenth and final round to close 1981 and began 1982, by retaining the title against Seung-Hoon Lee with an eleventh-round knockout.
Soon after the Lee fight, Pintor vacated his world title and started eyeing the WBC Super Bantamweight crown worn by the great Wilfredo Gómez. Stepping up, he immediately beat former WBA World Bantamweight Champion Jorge Luján and then, on 3 December of that year, he and Gómez met as part of the Carnival of Champions in New Orleans. Showcased on HBO, this duel was subsequently dubbed the division's 'Fight of The Decade' by The Ring magazine. But it did not go Pintor's way. Gómez recorded a fourteenth-round knockout and relinquished his own title five months later.
Pintor was inactive throughout 1983. He returned to the ring a year-and-a-half later as a fully-fledged Super Bantamweight defeating Ruben Solorio on 16 February 1984 and busied himself thereafter trying to get another shot at the world title. his perseverance paid off when he was pitted against Juan 'Kid' Meza, the WBC's Super Bantamweight Champion on 18 August 1985. Pintor floored the defending champion three times on the way to collecting a unanimous decision and celebrated his new status as a double world title holder.
His first defense of this new crown did not go to plan. Traveling to Bangkok to meet Samart Payakaroon, Pintor exceeded the division weight limit and was subsequently stripped of his title at the scales. Payakaroon could still become champion if he defeated Pintor but if Pintor won the title would be declared vacant. Payakaroon pounded Pintor to defeat in five rounds and the ex-champion quit fighting for the next eight years.
Pintor made a comeback of sorts in 1994, but at the comparatively advanced age of thirty-eight, he was long past his best. Winning just twice in seven contests over the next eighteen months, he was finally convinced that it was time to retire.
Honors
Pintor was named The Ring magazine Comeback of the Year fighter for 1985.
After boxing
Pintor opened a boxing school in Mexico City. In 2002, he was invited to Merthyr Tydfil by Johnny Owen's family to help unveil a bronze statue commemorating the boxer's life and career.[1]
In 2008, Pintor reunited with Carlos Zarate and joined Juan Laporte as the three former victims of Wilfredo Gómez showed up at a party dedicated to Gómez for his fiftieth birthday in Puerto Rico.
Pintor, along with Hector Camacho, Hilario Zapata, and several non-boxers, was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in December 2015 and inducted in June 2016.[2]
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | Loss | 56–14–2 | Russell Mosley | KO | 2 (10) | Jul 21, 1995 | Tijuana, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 71 | Loss | 56–13–2 | Rodrigo Cerda | PTS | 10 | Dec 2, 1994 | Houston, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 70 | Win | 56–12–2 | Kevin Sedam | TKO | 1 (10), 2:56Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 18, 1994 | International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 69 | Loss | 55–12–2 | Leonardo Mas | RTD | 8 (12) | Aug 13, 1994 | Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBC FECARBOX super lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 68 | Loss | 55–11–2 | Fernando Caicedo | UD | 12 | Apr 2, 1994 | Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBC FECARBOX lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 67 | Loss | 55–10–2 | Ramon Sanchez | PTS | 10 | Feb 25, 1994 | MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 66 | Win | 55–9–2 | Carmelo Gomez | PTS | 10 | Jan 14, 1994 | Tijuana, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 65 | Loss | 54–9–2 | Samart Payakaroon | KO | 5 (12), 1:31Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jan 18, 1986 | Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
WBC super bantamweight title at stake only for Payakaroon,Pintor missed weightScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 64 | Loss | 54–8–2 | Billy White | TKO | 10 (?) | Dec 12, 1985 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 63 | Win | 54–7–2 | Juan Meza | UD | 12 | Aug 18, 1985 | Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won WBC super bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 62 | Template:DrawDraw | 53–7–2 | Javier Marquez | SD | 10 | Jun 10, 1985 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 61 | Win | 53–7–1 | Eugenio Morgan | TKO | 2 (10), 2:37Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Apr 19, 1985 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 60 | Loss | 52–7–1 | Adriano Arreola | TKO | 7 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jan 17, 1985 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 59 | Win | 52–6–1 | Ronnie Gary | TKO | 6 (10), 0:47Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jan 1, 1985 | Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 58 | Win | 51–6–1 | Cleo Garcia | KO | 1 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Apr 26, 1984 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 57 | Win | 50–6–1 | Ruben Solorio | UD | 10 | Feb 16, 1984 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 56 | Loss | 49–6–1 | Wilfredo Gómez | TKO | 14 (15), 2:44Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Dec 3, 1982 | Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 55 | Win | 49–5–1 | Jorge Luján | UD | 10 | Sep 23, 1982 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 54 | Win | 48–5–1 | Lee Seung-hoon | TKO | 11 (15), 0:43Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jun 3, 1982 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 53 | Win | 47–5–1 | Hurricane Teru | KO | 15 (15), 2:02Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 22, 1981 | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 52 | Win | 46–5–1 | Jovito Rengifo | TKO | 8 (15), 1:21Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jul 26, 1981 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 51 | Win | 45–5–1 | Jose Felix Uziga | UD | 15 | Feb 22, 1981 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 50 | Win | 44–5–1 | Alberto Dávila | MD | 15 | Dec 19, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 49 | Win | 43–5–1 | Johnny Owen | KO | 12 (15), 2:35Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 19, 1980 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight title; Owen died of injuries sustained from the fight.[3]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 48 | Template:DrawDraw | 42–5–1 | Eijiro Murata | SD | 15 | Jun 11, 1980 | Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 47 | Win | 42–5 | Alberto Sandoval | TKO | 12 (15) | Feb 9, 1980 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 46 | Loss | 41–5 | Manuel Vazquez | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Dec 29, 1979 | Gimnasio del Estado, Hermosillo, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 45 | Win | 41–4 | Jose Luis Soto | PTS | 10 | Oct 29, 1979 | Ciudad Obregón, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 44 | Win | 40–4 | Torito Melendez | KO | 1 (?) | Oct 5, 1979 | Reynosa, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 43 | Win | 39–4 | Carlos Zárate Serna | SD | 15 | Jun 3, 1979 | Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won WBC bantamweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 42 | Win | 38–4 | Rodrigo Gonzalez | TKO | 3 (10), 2:42Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | May 1, 1979 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 41 | Win | 37–4 | Livio Nolasco | TKO | 6 (10), 2:16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mar 10, 1979 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 40 | Win | 36–4 | Agustin Vega | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 11, 1978 | Matamoros, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 39 | Win | 35–4 | Roger Buchelli | KO | 2 (10), 2:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 26, 1978 | Houston, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 38 | Win | 34–4 | Richard Rozelle | KO | 5 (10), 0:10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jul 18, 1978 | Civic Center, Houston, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 37 | Loss | 33–4 | Jose Luis Soto | PTS | 10 | Jun 30, 1978 | Culiacán, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 36 | Loss | 33–3 | Leonardo Cruz | PTS | 10 | Apr 22, 1978 | Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto RicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 35 | Win | 33–2 | Antonio Becerra | PTS | 10 | Mar 31, 1978 | Mazatlán, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 34 | Win | 32–2 | Gerald Hayes | UD | 10 | Feb 25, 1978 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Win | 31–2 | Davey Vasquez | KO | 2 (10), 2:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jan 30, 1978 | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 32 | Win | 30–2 | Joaquin Gonzalez | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 18, 1977 | Auditorio Matamoros, Matamoros, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 31 | Win | 29–2 | Baby Kid Chocolate | KO | 2 (10), 2:58Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 8, 1977 | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 30 | Win | 28–2 | Tony Rocha | KO | 4 (10), 0:33Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 8, 1977 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 29 | Win | 27–2 | Andres Torres | TKO | 4 (10), 0:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aug 20, 1977 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 28 | Win | 26–2 | Ramon Guillen | KO | 1 (?) | Jul 2, 1977 | Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 27 | Win | 25–2 | Eduardo Limon | KO | 1 (?) | Jun 17, 1977 | Reynosa, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 26 | Win | 24–2 | Tranquita Brown | KO | 1 (?) | May 20, 1977 | Ciudad Madera, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 25 | Win | 23–2 | Gabby Cantera | KO | 7 (?), 2:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Apr 12, 1977 | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Win | 22–2 | Orlando Amores | KO | 1 (?) | Mar 11, 1977 | Culiacán, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 23 | Win | 21–2 | Evaristo Perez | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 26, 1977 | Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 22 | Win | 20–2 | Babe San Martin | TKO | 7 (10) | Jan 29, 1977 | Reynosa, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Win | 19–2 | Jose Angel Cazares | KO | 1 (10) | Jan 1, 1977 | Plaza de Toros, Torreón, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 20 | Win | 18–2 | Nacho Beltran | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 13, 1976 | Estadio General Ángel Flores, Culiacán, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Jose Antonio Rosa | TKO | 6 (10), 1:23Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 2, 1976 | Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 16–2 | Samuel Machorro | PTS | 10 | Aug 1, 1976 | Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Manuel Killer | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 26, 1976 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Gallito Castro | KO | 1 (?) | Jun 2, 1976 | Tijuana, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Jose Luis Cruz | TKO | 9 (10) | Mar 27, 1976 | Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Loss | 12–2 | Alberto Dávila | UD | 10 | Feb 25, 1976 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Catalino Flores | KO | 2 (10), 1:27Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Dec 4, 1975 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Alvaro Lopez | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 11, 1975 | Auditorio Benito Juárez, Guadalajara, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Willie Jensen | KO | 7 (10), 0:58Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 20, 1975 | Forum, Inglewood, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Roberto Alvarez | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 25, 1975 | Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Rocky Mijares | TKO | 6 (10) | Apr 16, 1975 | Plaza de Toros, Torreón, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Andres Reyes | PTS | 10 | Mar 10, 1975 | Victoria de Durango, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Martin Valencia | KO | 6 (?) | Feb 19, 1975 | Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Juan Diaz | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 21, 1974 | Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Loss | 4–1 | Magallo Lozada | DQ | 4 (?) | Oct 16, 1974 | Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Salvador Martinez | PTS | 10 | Sep 10, 1974 | Mexico City, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Manuel Castanedas | TKO | 4 (?) | Jul 24, 1974 | Tijuana, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Francisco Javier Nunez | UD | 10 | May 7, 1974 | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Manuel Vazquez | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 26, 1974 | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, MexicoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
See also
References
Sources
(i) There are few online accounts of Pintor's upbringing. A sensitive description may however, be located here: [1]. (ii) For an in-depth discussion of Pintor's controversial defeat of Carlos Zarate, see: [2]. (iii) A ring report describing the Owen fight can be found here: [3]. (iv) For more on Pintor's relationship with Johnny Owen's family, see: [4]. (v) For a piece on Pintor's return fight with Albert Davila, go to Boxing Insider [5]. (vi) Details of Pintor's ring record can be found at the Boxing Records Archive: [6].