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 Undisputed Welterweight Championship 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. He had just beaten Griffith for the world Welterweight title in the same program. Moore's death 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 11th 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 after losing to Donato Paduano in Montreal. He died on 8 July 1996 at South Shore Hospital in Miami Beach.
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.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
121LossDonato PaduanoSD10Apr 12, 1971Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
120Loss107–12 Mike LankesterMD10Mar 16, 1971Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
119Win107–11 Dave HiltonUD10Nov 30, 1971Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
118Win106–11 Mike PadgettKO2 Nov 1, 1971Lander College Athletic Gym, Greenwood, South Carolina, U.S.
117Loss105–11 Rafael GutierrezTKO6 Aug 3, 1971Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
116Loss105–10 Bunny SterlingPTS10May 25, 1971Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
115Win105–9 Tony MundineKO1 Aug 7, 1971North Melbourne Oval, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
114Win104–9 Bobby CassidySD10Jan 26, 1971Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
113Win103–9 J C PonderKO5 Dec 1, 1970Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
112Win102–9 Jose GonzalezUD12Sep 24, 1970Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
111Win101–9 Fraser ScottMD10Aug 20, 1970Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
110Loss100–9 Jose GonzalezPTS10Jul 31, 1970 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
109Win100–8 Baby Boy RolleTKO5 Jun 27, 1970Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
108Win99–8 Willie WarrenUD10Apr 14, 1970Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
107Win98–8 Joe CokesTKO4 Mar 17, 1970Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
106Win97–8 Porter RolleKO4 Feb 10, 1970Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
105Loss96–8 Nino BenvenutiKO11 Nov 22, 1969Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, ItalyFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
104Win96–7 Tom BetheaUD10Sep 23, 1969Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
103Win95–7 David BecklesTKO2 Aug 12, 1969Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
102Win94–7 Eddie OwensKO7 Jul 8, 1969Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
101Win93–7 Rafael GutierrezTKO6 Mar 31, 1969Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
100Win92–7 Bobby WilliamsTKO7 Feb 20, 1969Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
99Win91–7 Doug HuntleyUD10Jan 21, 1969Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
98Win90–7 Joe ShawUD10Nov 15, 1968Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
97Win89–7 Rudy RodriguezTKO4 Sep 4, 1968Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
96Win88–7 Vicente RondónUD10Jul 18, 1968Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
95Loss87–7 Vicente RondónUD10Jun 3, 1968Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
94Win87–6 Ted WrightUD10May 5, 1968Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
93Win86–6 Carl MooreUD10Mar 26, 1968Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
92Win85–6 Charley AustinTKO6 Feb 6, 1968Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
91Win84–6 Bennie BriscoeUD10Dec 15, 1967Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
90Win83–6 Candy McFarlandPTS10Nov 16, 1967Maracaibo, Venezuela
89Win82–6 Percy ManningTKO1 Nov 6, 1967Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
88Win81–6 Phil RobinsonKO3 Sep 29, 1967Caracas, Venezuela
87Win80–6 Ferd HernandezUD10Sep 7, 1967Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
86Win79–6 Jimmy LesterUD10Jun 28, 1967Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
85Win78–6 Juan Carlos RiveroUD10Jun 4, 1967Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
84Win77–6 Bennie BriscoeUD10Mar 20, 1967Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
83Win76–6 Esteban Alfredo OsunaPTS10Feb 18, 1967 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
82Win75–6 Manuel AlvarezKO8 Jan 20, 1967Club Atletico Quilmes, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
81Win74–6 Ruben OrricoTKO4 Sep 24, 1966 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
80Win73–6 Juarez de LimaKO3 Sep 9, 1966Estadio Norte, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
79Loss72–6 Curtis CokesTKO15 Jul 6, 1966Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
78Win72–5 Tommy CaldwellTKO2 May 7, 1966Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
77Loss71–5 Percy ManningSD10Apr 11, 1966Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
76Win71–4 George BentonTKO9 Mar 7, 1966Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
75Win70–4 Joey LimasTKO4 Jan 25, 1966Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
74Win69–4 Fred McWilliamsTKO9 Jan 18, 1966Sportatorium, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
73Win68–4 Joe Louis MurphyKO4 Dec 20, 1965Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
72Win67–4 Eddie PaceUD10Dec 2, 1965Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
71Win66–4 Cecil MottTKO4 Nov 16, 1965Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
70Win65–4 Johnny MorrisTKO2 Oct 4, 1965Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
69Win64–4 Rubin CarterUD10Aug 26, 1965Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
68Win63–4 Charley AustinUD10Aug 3, 1965Sportatorium, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
67Win62–4 Jose AssuncaoUD10Jul 26, 1965Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
66Win61–4 Memo AyonRTD3 Jul 16, 1965Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
65Win60–4 Rip RandallUD10Apr 21, 1965Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
64Win59–4 John Henry SmithKO10 Mar 26, 1965Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
63Win58–4 Rubin CarterUD10Feb 12, 1965Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
62Win57–4 LC MorganKO2 Nov 14, 1964El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
61Loss56–4 Emile GriffithSD15Jun 12, 1964Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. For WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
60Win56–3 Jesse SmithUD10Apr 4, 1964Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
59Win55–3 Holley MimsUD10Mar 20, 1964Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
58Win54–3 Wilbert McClureUD10Dec 27, 1963Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
57Win53–3 Wilbert McClureUD10Oct 18, 1963Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
56Win52–3 Denny MoyerTKO9 Aug 17, 1963Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
55Loss51–3 Emile GriffithSD15Jun 8, 1963Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring, welterweight titles
54Win51–2 Emile GriffithUD15Mar 21, 1963Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
53Win50–2 Joey GiambraUD10Jan 19, 1963Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
52Win49–2 Mel CollinsUD10Dec 12, 1962Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
51Win48–2 Santiago GutierrezTKO3 Nov 6, 1962Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
50Win47–2 Ernest BurfordTKO7 Aug 29, 1962Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
49Win46–2 Gene ArmstrongTKO8 Jun 3, 1962Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
48Win45–2 Yama BahamaTKO3 May 5, 1962St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
47Win44–2 Ricardo FalechTKO3 Mar 17, 1962Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
46Win43–2 Luis Federico ThompsonUD10Jan 27, 1962Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
45Win42–2 Curtis CokesUD10Dec 2, 1961Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
44Win41–2 Jose GonzalezTKO7 Oct 24, 1961Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
43Win40–2 Guy SumlinTKO5 Sep 13, 1961Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
42Loss39–2 Curtis CokesSD10Aug 3, 1961Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
41Win39–1 Alfredo CotaKO4 May 13, 1961Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
40Win38–1 Alvaro GutierrezTKO5 Apr 15, 1961Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
39Win37–1 Johnny GonsalvesUD10Mar 22, 1961Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
38Win36–1 Lyle MackinTKO5 Feb 21, 1961Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
37Loss35–1 Emile GriffithSD10Dec 17, 1960Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
36Win35–0 Johnny GonsalvesUD10Nov 28, 1960Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
35Win34–0 Yama BahamaMD10Nov 16, 1960Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
34Win33–0 Mel CollinsUD10Oct 24, 1960Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
33Win32–0 Basil CampbellKO5 Aug 17, 1960Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
32Win31–0 Virgil AkinsUD10Jul 6, 1960Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
31Win30–0 Alfredo CotaKO2 May 26, 1960Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
30Win29–0 Alvaro GutierrezTKO4 Apr 7, 1960Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
29Win28–0 Chico VejarUD10May 2, 1960Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
28Win27–0 Carl HubbardKO4 Feb 10, 1960Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
27Win26–0 Garnet HartUD10Dec 23, 1959Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
26Win25–0 Isaac LogartUD10Oct 21, 1959Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
25Win24–0 Larry BakerUD10Oct 3, 1959Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
24Win23–0 Rudell StitchSD10Aug 26, 1959State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
23Win22–0 Virgil AkinsUD10Jun 17, 1959Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
22Win21–0 Cecil ShortsKO9 May 9, 1959Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
21Win20–0 Joe MiceliTKO5 Feb 21, 1959Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
20Win19–0 Juan PadillaPTS10Nov 22, 1958Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
19Win18–0 Kid FichiqueUD12Sep 20, 1958Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
18Win17–0 Benny ParetSD10Aug 9, 1958Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
17Win16–0 Charley ScottKO9 Jul 26, 1958Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
16Win15–0 Tony ArmenterosPTS10Apr 19, 1958Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
15Win14–0 Rolando RodriguezKO4 Mar 29, 1958Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
14Win13–0 Benny ParetUD10Feb 8, 1958Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
13Win12–0 Rolando RodriguezPTS8Nov 16, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
12Win11–0 Gomeo BrennanPTS8Sep 28, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
11Win10–0 Guillermo DiazDQ6 Jul 20, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
10Win9–0 Guillermo DiazPTS6Jun 22, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
9Win8–0 Vicente ReyesPTS6May 18, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
8Win7–0 Vicente ReyesPTS6Mar 23, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
7Win6–0 Guillermo DiazPTS6Feb 16, 1957Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
6Win5–0 Jose HernandezKO5 Jan 12, 1957Arena Trejo, Havana, Cuba
5NC4–0 Jose HernandezNC2 Dec 15, 1956Arena Trejo, Havana, Cuba Bout suspended by rain downpour
4Win4–0Pablo CardenasTKO2 Nov 24, 1956Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
3Win3–0Julian YanezPTS4Oct 20, 1956Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
2Win2–0Vicente ReyesPTS4Jul 21, 1956Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
1Win1–0Lazaro Hernandez KessellKO3 Jun 2, 1956Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba