Jose Manuel Urtain vs. Alfredo Evangelista ~ "Slaughter in Spain"

[Bill Paxtom]

May 14, 1976

Palacio de los Deportes ~ Madrid, Spain

Jose Manuel Uratin vs. Alfredo Evangelista

The Skinny,

Jose Manuel Urtain, the popular and beloved 33 year-old Heavyweight from Spain that they called 'El Tigre de Cestona'.

Jose was looking to add Alfredo Evangelista to his list of wins. The word was, that if Jose was impressive, there would be
a Championship Bout with Muhammad Ali.

For this occasion, the bout was to be held on May 14th, which would be Jose's 33rd Birthday.

Jose, with a record of 52-9-4 {40 KO's} was still the Spanish Heavyweight Champion, and was still regarded as the one of
the Top 10 European Heavyweights despite a 'lull' in mid-1974 where he was stopped in back-to-back bouts.

But since July 1975 > Jose was on a decent run where he had gone 6-1-1 {2 KO's} in his last 8-Bouts over 10-Months/

Jose Manuel Urtain >
"I need one more win, and then my Manager {Alfonso Del Rio} can work on a bout with Muhammad Ali. We have been in
contact with Venezuelan Promoter ~ Rafito Cedeno, and there is a possibility of fighting for the Championship very soon."

"It will be a special occasion for my 33rd Birthday. I have to laugh at all the Boxing Press who think that a 21 year-old
prospect {Alfredo Evangelista} with only 7-Bouts can defeat me. They have called me an old worn out 'Tiger' without
sharp teeth, and with no more power in his paws anymore. I will prove them all wrong."

[p4pking]

[Bill Paxtom]

Jose Manuel Urtain

Fun Fact #22

On May 22, 1974 >
Jose Manuel Urtain 'flat out' clobbered Richard Dunn by KO 4.

Jose put Richard Dunn 'down-and-out'.

May 24, 1976 >
Muhammad Ali looked 'pathetic' in scoring a TKO 5 over the same Richard Dunn.

The 'Greatest' could not keep Richard Dunn down.

[p4pking]

[Bill Paxtom]

Jose Manuel 'Ibar' Urtain

Also knows as;
"El Tigre de Cestona"
"Morrosko"
"The Brick Layer"
"El Cid"
"The Rock Lifter"

As of July 1971, Jose was 38-2-0 {35 KO's}, and was being mentioned as a possible challenger for the
"Heavyweight Championship".

By mid-1971, the 28 year-old Spanish Heavyweight Champion was the most popular man in Spain, and packed them
in at the Palacio de los Deportes.

So much so, that the Spanish Government offered Joe Frazier $1,000,000 to defend his Championship in Madrid against
Jose in the fall of 1971.

Other opponents mentioned for "El Tigre de Cestona" in 1971;
* Jerry Quarry
* Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit
* George Foreman
* Al Jones
* Kenny Norton

Seems, none of the American Heavyweights wanted to fight Jose in Spain.

[Bill Paxtom]

Alfredo Evangelista

The young Uruguayan Heavyweight was handled by the great Cuban Trainer - 'Kid Tunero'.

Alfredo was only {Age; 21 years, 6 months}, and a shade over 6 Feet {6' 0 1/2"} at 210 lbs., but he
had only 7-Bouts under his belt in 7 months.

But despite the young career and with a record of 6-0-1 {4 KO's}, Alfredo was already being proclaimed
as a the next Superstar in Spain.

Kid Tunero >
"This kid will end the career of Jose Manuel 'Ibar' Urtain. Alfedo is a tremendous puncher with great
skill. We will have a nice Birthday Present for Senor Urtain."

Alfredo Evangelista >
"Time has past Senor Urtain. He's slow and old, and his punch has abandoned him. He's only
got 1-Round in his body, after that he's ordinary."

"I'll pick him apart and destroy him."