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Just read it on Boxrec.com, that Raul "Raton" Macias has died. I had heard on ESPN en Espanol or one of the main Spanish networks that he was in a hospital after undergoing surgery but his son made it sound like he was gonna be ok after the surgery.
He won the NBA world Bantamweight title and was truly one of the great ones. He later became a noted actor. Mexico (and Cuba because he was Cuban by his parents' way) has truly lost one of the great ones.
RIP, Champ
I’ve often read and been told that Mexicos 1st boxing superstar was Ruben Olivares.
As the years have passed I’ve come to realize that, that is not completely true.
From the research I’ve done it appears to me that, that title is a bit grey and it would be up to yourself to determine who that title belongs to. Luis Villanueva Paramo aka. Kid Azteca who during his career was the undisputed Mexican Welterweight champ never losing the title instead he relinquished it. Could be considered Mexicos 1st superstar. He then during his career made a move into the movie industry appearing in the film titled “El Guantes De Oro” which translates to “The Golden Gloves”. Where he was the lead role along side one of Mexicos most famous actresses of the time.
It should be noted that Juan Zurita, Rodolfo Casanova & Kid Azteca were all good friends and often trained/sparred together. I believe once Kid Azteca made it onto the screen so did Casanova. I don’t believe Zurita ever made it to film.
Also fighters like Macias, Olivares, Azteca are all from the toughest neighborhood in all of Mexico. They are from el barrio de “Tepito” in Distrito Federal.
(As for Rauls passing, may he R.I.P.)
I believe Raul Macias was the 1st highly regarded Mexican boxer ever. No other boxer prior to Macias had been ranked as high and or had been as highly regarded as he. At one point in the 50’s he was considered to be the most dangerous Bantamweight in the world quick on his feet, and could punch. History has it that he got his nickname when someone was watching him spar vs. a huge Heavyweight and Raul ran under his legs and came out the other end hence the nickname “Raton” which means “Mouse”.
As for Olivares, I believe he was the 1st World recognized Mexican boxer. Where Casanova was known in Mexico and in the US, Macias a step higher then Casanova. But Olivares captured the attention of the world defeating top rated opponents from Japan, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Philippines, UK, US and dethroning the Australian champ.
So there you have it 3 of Mexico’s finest boxers ever to grace the sport each the 1st one to accomplish something as far as Superstardom goes. I don’t think either one needs to really be caring of who was 1st as in the end all 3 are legends.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Family.
Rip
RIP champ
R.I.P.
In this June 15, 1957, file photo, Raul Macias, right, and Dommy Ursua exchange lefts during a bantamweight boxing bout in San Francisco, USA.
http://xs537.xs.to/xs537/09133/1144.jpg
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R.i.p
RIP Champ
DEP Campeon
Have never had the plessure.RIP champ