Armando Muñíz


Armando Muñíz is a Mexican-born American former professional boxer and former [North Americans|American Boxing Federation|NABF] welterweight Champion. Muñiz was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic boxing team.

1968 Olympic record

Below are the results of Armando Muñiz, an American boxer, who competed at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics:
  • Round of 64: bye
  • Round of 32: defeated Marian Kasprzyk on points, 4-1
  • Round of 16: defeated Max Hebeisen on points, 4-1
  • Quarterfinal: lost to Mario Guilotti on points, 1-4

Professional career

In November 1971, Muniz knocked out title contender Clyde Gray to capture the NABF Welterweight Championship. The bout was held at the Auditorium in Long Beach, California.
Muniz made the last defense of his title in 1972 when he knocked out the favored Adolph Pruitt in eight sizzling rounds. Muniz, one of the most popular fighters in Southern California, fought twenty-three times at the historic Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles. In 1975, Muniz traveled to Acapulco, Mexico to challenge welterweight kingpin Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles. A 6-1 underdog at the opening bell, Muniz pounded on Napoles for 12 rounds. With the champion bleeding from both eyes, referee Ramon Berumen, raised the arm of Napoles after consulting with the WBC officials at ringside. Most boxing experts have referred to the Napoles "victory" as one of the worst robberies in boxing history. Muniz was cited as the "uncrowned" champion until Napoles defeated him in a rematch. Muniz made two more unsuccessful attempts at the title in 1977, losing to Carlos Palomino. He retired in 1978.
Muniz, a college graduate, taught at Rubidoux High School in Riverside, California, for over twenty years.
Muniz starred in Taxi (TV series) in season 2, episode 15 "The Reluctant Fighter". He portrayed a retired, former champion boxer named Benny Foster trying to make a comeback. He also acted in 1989's film "Fists of Steel".