Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas vs. Pete Ranzany ~ 'WBA Welterweight Championship'

[Bill Paxtom]

Pre-Fight

It was a 'rainy night' in Sacramento, California.

The Champion - Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas looked in 'perfect' physical shape, as he was 'rock-hard'
and finely tuned.

'Pipino' had been training in Mexico City for 3-Weeks, before arriving in Los Angeles in late-August
for 10-Days of intense sparring.

'Pipino' was sparring with both Middleweight - Marcos Geraldo and 'tough-nosed' Jose Luis Palacios

The Champion arrived in Sacramento 5-Days before the bout, to add in some fine-tuning.

'Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas >
"I do not predict a knockout. I only predict that I will win. It doesn't matter to me, just as
long as I win."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Challenger - Pete Ranzany looked both 'calm-and-cool', and very relaxed in front of his
hometown supporters.

Pete had sparred over '120-Rounds' in 5-Weeks leading up to this bout. Pete's sparring-mates
were Top 20 Welterweight - Babilah 'Babs' McCarthy and 'up-and-coming' Ronald 'Too Sweet' Cummings.

Pete Ranzany >
"I will surprise 'Pipino'. He thinks that I will box-and move, but I can slug if I have to. I will be
the best fighter that 'Pipino' has ever faced."

[Bill Paxtom]

Round 1

0:02 > Both meet quickly at Center-Ring.
0:04 > Ranzany fires out a long left-jab.
0:06 > Both trade 'stiff' left-jabs to the face.
0:08 > Ranzany connects with a long left-jab to the face, and a right to the mid-section.

0:10 > Cuevas backs up 1-Step.
0:12 > Cuevas steps in, and slams a right-hook to the body.
0:14 > Ranzany spears the Champion with '2' left-jabs.
0:16 > The Champion is not fazed, and is pressing.

0:18 > Cuevas wings in a hard right-hook to the Challenger's left-shoulder.
0:20 > Cuevas 'misses' with a wild 'double left-hook.
0:21 > Ranzany keeps a tight-guard, with both hands by his chin.
0:22 > Cuevas is aggressive, and looks strong.

0:23 > Cuevas slams in a left-hook to the body, and a right-hook to the shoulder.
0:25 > Cuevas misses with '2' big left-uppercuts as Ranzany moves along the front Ring area.
0:26 > Ranzany counters with a right-hook to the head.
0:28 > Ranzany cirlces left 180* to the back Ring area.

0:29 > Ranzany lands with a 'spearing' left-jab.
0:30 > Cuevas connects with a hard right-hook to the body.
0:30 > Cuevas 'misses' with a big left-uppercut.
0:31 > Ranzany counters with a fast right-hook to the head.

0:32 > The pace is incredibly fast.

0:33 > Ranzany sets up at Center-Ring.
0:33 > Ranzany scores with a 'light' right-hand.
0:34 > The Champion 'misses' with a hard 'left-right-left'.
0:35 > Ranzany misses with a left-and from outside.

0:37 > Cuevas moves in close, and connects with a 'hard' right-left-right.
0:38 > The Challenger is driven into the right-side Ropes.
0:40 > Cuevas steps in, but Ranzany 'ducks' and slides away to Center-Ring.
0:41 > Ranzany gets off with a fast 'left-jab', and straight right-hand.

0:42 > Cuevas counters with a left-jab.
0:45 > Ranzany lands with '2' light left-jabs.
0:48 > Cuevas 'misses' with a big sweeping right-hook.
0:50 > Cuevas comes back with a good left-jab to the head.

0:51 > Ranzany lands with '2' light left-jabs, and moves to his left.
0:52 > Both trade with 'stiff' left-jabs to the head.
0:54 > Cuevas is 'stalking' as he comes in low.
0:55 > Ranzany scores with a 'poking' right-left.

0:56 > Cuevas counters with '3' fast left-hook to the body.
0:58 > Ranzany moves to his left.
0:59 > Both trade with left-jabs.
1:00 > Again, both trade with 'stiff' left-jabs.

1:01 > The Champion 'misses' with a big sweeping left-uppercut.
1:02 > Ranzany lands with '2' left-jabs,
1:03 > Cuevas counters with a left-jab.
1:04 > Ranzany comes back with a 'double' left-jab, and straight right-hand.

1:05 > Cuevas moves in close, and wraps his left-hand over Ranzany's neck, and slams in a right-hand to the mid-section.
1:06 > Cuevas 'misses' with a sweeping right-hook.
1:07 > Cuevas 'misses' with another right-hook from the outside.
1:08 > Ranzany moves to Center-Ring, and scores with a quick left-jab.

1:09 > Cuevas counters with a right-hand to the body.
1:11 > Cuevas lands with a 'stiff' left-jab to the head.
1:13 > Ranzany circles to his left, and pecks in with a 'double' left-jab to the face.
1:14 > Cuevas 'misses' with a counter left-hook.

1:15 > Cuevas comes back with a left-jab to the face.
1:16 > Ranzany backs away, and moves to his left.
1:17 > Cuevas steps in and 'misses' with big sweeping right-hook.
1:18 > Ranzany moves inside.

1:20 > Both trade left-hands to the head.
1:22 > Ranzany scores with a fast left-jab.
1:23 > Ranzany circles 180* and to the right-side Ring area.
1:25 > Cuevas scores with a big left-uppercut to the kidney area. {The punch lifts Ranzany's right-leg up in the air 12"}.

1:26 > Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas is walking right thru Pete Ranzany's punches.

[Bill Paxtom]

Round 1

0:02 > Both meet quickly at Center-Ring.
0:04 > Ranzany fires out a long left-jab.
0:06 > Both trade 'stiff' left-jabs to the face.
0:08 > Ranzany connects with a long left-jab to the face, and a right to the mid-section.

0:10 > Cuevas backs up 1-Step.
0:12 > Cuevas steps in, and slams a right-hook to the body.
0:14 > Ranzany spears the Champion with '2' left-jabs.
0:16 > The Champion is not fazed, and is pressing.

0:18 > Cuevas wings in a hard right-hook to the Challenger's left-shoulder.
0:20 > Cuevas 'misses' with a wild 'double left-hook.
0:21 > Ranzany keeps a tight-guard, with both hands by his chin.
0:22 > Cuevas is aggressive, and looks strong.

0:23 > Cuevas slams in a left-hook to the body, and a right-hook to the shoulder.
0:25 > Cuevas misses with '2' big left-uppercuts as Ranzany moves along the front Ring area.
0:26 > Ranzany counters with a right-hook to the head.
0:28 > Ranzany cirlces left 180* to the back Ring area.

0:29 > Ranzany lands with a 'spearing' left-jab.
0:30 > Cuevas connects with a hard right-hook to the body.
0:30 > Cuevas 'misses' with a big left-uppercut.
0:31 > Ranzany counters with a fast right-hook to the head.

0:32 > The pace is incredibly fast.

0:33 > Ranzany sets up at Center-Ring.
0:33 > Ranzany scores with a 'light' right-hand.
0:34 > The Champion 'misses' with a hard 'left-right-left'.
0:35 > Ranzany misses with a left-and from outside.

0:37 > Cuevas moves in close, and connects with a 'hard' right-left-right.
0:38 > The Challenger is driven into the right-side Ropes.
0:40 > Cuevas steps in, but Ranzany 'ducks' and slides away to Center-Ring.
0:41 > Ranzany gets off with a fast 'left-jab', and straight right-hand.

0:42 > Cuevas counters with a left-jab.
0:45 > Ranzany lands with '2' light left-jabs.
0:48 > Cuevas 'misses' with a big sweeping right-hook.
0:50 > Cuevas comes back with a good left-jab to the head.

0:51 > Ranzany lands with '2' light left-jabs, and moves to his left.
0:52 > Both trade with 'stiff' left-jabs to the head.
0:54 > Cuevas is 'stalking' as he comes in low.
0:55 > Ranzany scores with a 'poking' right-left.

0:56 > Cuevas counters with '3' fast left-hook to the body.
0:58 > Ranzany moves to his left.
0:59 > Both trade with left-jabs.
1:00 > Again, both trade with 'stiff' left-jabs.

1:01 > The Champion 'misses' with a big sweeping left-uppercut.
1:02 > Ranzany lands with '2' left-jabs,
1:03 > Cuevas counters with a left-jab.
1:04 > Ranzany comes back with a 'double' left-jab, and straight right-hand.

1:05 > Cuevas moves in close, and wraps his left-hand over Ranzany's neck, and slams in a right-hand to the mid-section.
1:06 > Cuevas 'misses' with a sweeping right-hook.
1:07 > Cuevas 'misses' with another right-hook from the outside.
1:08 > Ranzany moves to Center-Ring, and scores with a quick left-jab.

1:09 > Cuevas counters with a right-hand to the body.
1:11 > Cuevas lands with a 'stiff' left-jab to the head.
1:13 > Ranzany circles to his left, and pecks in with a 'double' left-jab to the face.
1:14 > Cuevas 'misses' with a counter left-hook.

1:15 > Cuevas comes back with a left-jab to the face.
1:16 > Ranzany backs away, and moves to his left.
1:17 > Cuevas steps in and 'misses' with big sweeping right-hook.
1:18 > Ranzany moves inside.

1:20 > Both trade left-hands to the head.
1:22 > Ranzany scores with a fast left-jab.
1:23 > Ranzany circles 180* and to the right-side Ring area.
1:25 > Cuevas scores with a big left-uppercut to the kidney area. {The punch lifts Ranzany's right-leg up in the air 12"}.

1:26 > Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas is walking right thru Pete Ranzany's punches.

1:27 > Both trade left-jabs.
1:28 > Cuevas lands with a 'glancing' overhand right to the head.
1:29 > Cuevas 'misses' with a follow up 'left-right'.
1:30 > Ranzany counters with a fast 'left-right'.

1:31 > Ranzany 'doubles-up' a left-jab to the head.
1:33 > Cuevas moves in close, and scores with a 'hard' double-left underneath that hurts Ranzany.
1:36 > Ranzany catches Cuevas 'flush' with a tremendous 'right-left' to the chin.

1:36 > The punches don't even faze Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas.

1:37 > Ranzany adds in a 'solid' left-hook to Cuevas' chin.
1:38 > Ranzany moves to his left, and to the front Ring area.
1:39 > Cuevas sends in a light left-jab.
1:46 > Ranzany catches the Champion with a 'double-left' to the head.

1:47 > Ranzany adds in a 'big-chopping' right-hand to the jaw.

1:48 > The 17,000+ fans at the Hughes Stadium roar and cheer for their hero.

1:49 > Both trade 'stiff' left-jabs to the face.
1:50 > Ranzany circles 180* to the right-side Ring area.
1:53 > Cuevas slams in right-hand below the belt-line.
1:55 > Ranzany comes back with a fast 'right-left' to the head.

1:59 > Ranzany is continuing to 'fire-away', and scores with a left-hand high on the Champion's head.
2:00 > The Champion is 'ducking-low' to avoid the incoming jabs.
2:02 > Both trade with measuring left-jabs.
2:03 > Cuevas comes back with a hard-right to the mid-section.

2:04 > Cuevas adds in a 'double' left-jabs to the chest.
2:05 > Ranzany moves in close, and 'clinches'.
2:07 > Ranzany breaks free, and circles left.
2:09 > Ranzany lands with a left-hook.

2:11 > Ranzany is fast with a left-right' to the chin that snaps the Champion's head back.

2:12 > The crowd roars, as Pete Ranzany has taken command.

2:14 > Cuevas attacks with a left-hook to the head, but 'misses' with a follow up left-hand.
2:16 > Ranzany has his hands held up high, and moves to his left.
2:18 > Ranzany fires in a fast right-hand lead.
2:22 > Cuevas scores with a 'double' left-jab to the head.

2:24 > Cuevas is 'wild' with a 'right-left' and misses.
2:31 > Ranzany counters, and lands with a 'big' right-hand to the jaw that drives Cuevas back 1-Step.
2:34 > Both trade with left-jabs.
2:36 > Ranzany lands with another 'right-left' the face.

2:38 > Ranzany adds in a 'double-left', and comes back with a quick left-hook to the Champion's chin.
2:40 > Ranzany moves forward to Center-Ring.
2:43 > Ranzany catches Cuevas with a 'double-left', and a chopping-right to the chin.
2:44 > 'Pipino' Cuevas looks frustrated now.

2:46 > Cuevas fires in a left-jab, and ducks low to avoid a counter.
2:48 > Cuevas tries to bang in '2' big left-hooks to the head, as Ranzany covers up with his hands held high.
2:50 > Ranzany lands with a 'glancing' left-jab, as Cuevas attempts a counter.
2:52 > Ranzany scores with a 'left-right' to the head, and a good solid left-hook to the body.

2:53 > Cuevas misses with a left-hand counter.
2:54 > Ranzany circles to his left, and connects with '2' poking left-jabs.
2:56 > Ranzany catches Cuevas with a right-uppercut to the chin.
2:59 > Cuevas lands a 'stiff' left-jab to the face.

3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 1 ......... Pete Ranzany

[Bill Paxtom]

Pete Ranzany

'I hit 'Pipino' Cuevas with everything in the 1st-Round. I couldn't dent him. I did send him back on his heels
a few times, but he was so strong."

"I was tagging him with good 'left-right' combinations, and I could not slow him down."

"I landed a perfect left-hook on his chin {1:37 Mark}, and my fist bounced off it like it was a block of granite.
That was the first time I was worried. I was amazed at his chin, as he took the punch like it was nothing."

"In 1978, he would have beaten Carlos Palomino or Wilfred Benitez with ease. Ray Leonard was nowhere in
his league at that time. And Roberto Duran would have been 'creamed' in 1978."

[Bill Paxtom]

Pete Ranzany

'I hit 'Pipino' Cuevas with everything in the 1st-Round. I couldn't dent him. I did send him
back on his heels a few times, but he was so strong."

"I landed a perfect left-hook on his chin, and my fist bounced off it like it was a block
of granite. That was the first time I was worried. I was amazed at his chin, as he took
the punch like it was nothing."

"In 1978, he would have beaten Carlos Palomino or Wilfred Benitez with ease. Ray Leonard
was nowhere in his league at that time. And Roberto Duran would have been 'creamed' in 1978."

"He just hit too hard."

[Bill Paxtom]

~ More Skinny ~

According to Joey Lopes {Manager for Pete Ranzany}

"We wanted to take the fight to 'Pipino' in the 1st-Round. We wanted to test both his
heart and chin."

"Well, we found out that he had both. In all honesty, we know that Pete would have had
a better chance against Carlos Palomino, based on styles."

"Carlos was a plodder, and he always got off to a slow-start. Pete wouldn't have had to
deal with the heavy-pressure early. It was my mistake, as I should have waited to get
Pete a shot at Carlos, or even Wilfred Benitez for later in 1979."

"In 1978, I can't name a better or harder hitting Welterweight than 'Pipino' Cuevas."

[Bill Paxtom]

Round 2

Pete Ranzany came out fast, to try to take advantage of his faster hand-speed.

0:02 > Both meet at Center-Ring.
0:03 > Ranzany fires first with a long left-jab to the face.
0:04 > The Champion backs up.
0:05 > Ranzany leans in.

0:07 > Both fighters circle to their left.
0:09 > Ranzany stays busy with a '4-Punch' combination.
0:11 > Cuevas is looking to counter.
0:12 > Ranzany scores with a left-jab to the face, a right to the body, and a left-hook to the head.

0:13 > The Champion backs away, and to the left-side Ring area.
0:14 > Ranzany steps in, and lands with a good 'one-two' to Cuevas' jaw.
0:15 > Cuevas backs into the left-side Ropes.
0:16 > Cuevas spins 90* to his left, and moves to the back Ring area.

0:17 > A confident Ranzany moves in.
0:18 > Ranzany looks 'too fast' for the Champion.
0:19 > Ranzany sends in '2' fast left-jabs to the head.
0:20 > Cuevas circles 180*, and out to Center-Ring.

0:21 > Cuevas flicks out a counter left-jab.
0:22 > Ranzany moves to his left, and to the right-side Ring area.
0:24 > Both duck, and move in close.
0:25 > Cuevas connects with a good left-hook to the Challenger's chest.

0:26 > Cuevas adds in a right-hook to the mid-section.
0:26 > Ranzany counters with a left-hook to the head.
0:27 > Ranzany pecks in with a left-jab.
0:28 > Cuevas rips in with a right-hook to the head.

0:29 > Both fighters are at Center-Ring, and move in close.
0:30 > Cuevas raps his right-arm over Ranzany's neck.
0:31 > Cuevas slams in '3' hard left-hooks into Ranzany's chest area.
0:33 > Ranzany backs out to the left-side Ring area.

0:34 > Both trade left-jabs.
0:35 > Ranzany circles to his left, and to the back-right Ring area.
0:36 > Ranzany fires in a left-jab, but he drops his guard low.
0:36 > Cuevas counters with a 'jarring' right-hook to the chin.

0:36 > Pete Ranzany is 'shaken'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Round 2

Pete Ranzany came out fast, to try to take advantage of his faster hand-speed.

0:02 > Both meet at Center-Ring.
0:03 > Ranzany fires first with a long left-jab to the face.
0:04 > The Champion backs up.
0:05 > Ranzany leans in.

0:07 > Both fighters circle to their left.
0:09 > Ranzany stays busy with a '4-Punch' combination.
0:11 > Cuevas is looking to counter.
0:12 > Ranzany scores with a left-jab to the face, a right to the body, and a left-hook to the head.

0:13 > The Champion backs away, and to the left-side Ring area.
0:14 > Ranzany steps in, and lands with a good 'one-two' to Cuevas' jaw.
0:15 > Cuevas backs into the left-side Ropes.
0:16 > Cuevas spins 90* to his left, and moves to the back Ring area.

0:17 > A confident Ranzany moves in.
0:18 > Ranzany looks 'too fast' for the Champion.
0:19 > Ranzany sends in '2' fast left-jabs to the head.
0:20 > Cuevas circles 180*, and out to Center-Ring.

0:21 > Cuevas flicks out a counter left-jab.
0:22 > Ranzany moves to his left, and to the right-side Ring area.
0:24 > Both duck, and move in close.
0:25 > Cuevas connects with a good left-hook to the Challenger's chest.

0:26 > Cuevas adds in a right-hook to the mid-section.
0:26 > Ranzany counters with a left-hook to the head.
0:27 > Ranzany pecks in with a left-jab.
0:28 > Cuevas rips in with a right-hook to the head.

0:29 > Both fighters are at Center-Ring, and move in close.
0:30 > Cuevas raps his right-arm over Ranzany's neck.
0:31 > Cuevas slams in '3' hard left-hooks into Ranzany's chest area.
0:33 > Ranzany backs out to the left-side Ring area.

0:34 > Both trade left-jabs.
0:35 > Ranzany circles to his left, and to the back-right Ring area.
0:36 > Ranzany fires in a left-jab, but he drops his guard low.
0:36 > Cuevas counters with a 'jarring' right-hook to the chin.

0:36 > Pete Ranzany is 'shaken'.

0:37 > Cuevas moves in fast, and 'slams' in a left-hook to the head.
0:37 > Ranzany covers up along the right-side Ropes.
0:38 > Cuevas digs in with a 'right-left' to the body, and a right-left' to the head.
0:40 > Ranzany fires back with a fast 'right-left'.

0:41 > The bout is now a 'Slugfest'.
0:42 > Cuevas 'misses' with a right-left.
0:43 > Ranzany 'misses' with a big left-hook as Cuevas ducks.
0:44 > The fighters are now toe-to-toe.

0:45 > Cuevas slams in a 'double' left to the head, and comes back with a 'digging' right-hook to the body.
0:46 > Ranzany is pinned on the right-side Ropes and covers up.
0:47 > Cuevas wings in a hard 'right-left, but both punches glance off Ranzany's gloves.
0:48 > Ranzany counters with a left-hook to the head.

0:49 > Cuevas is slugging 'wildly'.
0:50 > Ranzany moves to the front-right Corner, and is covering up.
0:51 > Cuevas 'misses' with a wild 'left-right-left'.
0:52 > Ranzany 'ducks low' to avoid the bombs.

0:53 > Cuevas catches Ranzany with a left-hook to the 'top-of-the-head' as Ranzany bends low.
0:55 > Cuevas is still firing 'wildly'.
0:56 > Cuevas sticks out a measuring right-hand.
0:57 > Cuevas scores with a 'big' left-hook to the head.

0:58 > Cuevas comes back with a 'tremendous' clubbing-right to Ranzany's jaw.

0:59 > Pete Ranzany is 'hurt', as he is driven into the front-right Corner.

0:59 > The Champion 'winds up', and unleashes a big left-hook to the head.
1:00 > Cuevas comes back with a 'vicious' right to the jaw, and just misses with a 'wicked' left hook as Ranzany 'sags'.

1:01 > Pete Ranzany 'collapses' in the front-right Corner.

1:04 > Amazingly, Pete Ranzany gets up quickly at the '3-Count'.
1:10 > Referee - Isidoro Rodriguez 'grabs' Ranzany's gloves, and asks him if he's ready to go on.
1:11 > Pete Ranzany nods 'Yes'.
1:12 > Pete moves out to Center-Ring, just as Cuevas is running across the Ring.

1:13 > At Center-Ring, Cuevas just misses with big sweeping right-hook.
1:14 > Ranzany counters with a long left-jab to the Champion's face, just as Cuevas is loading up to throw a left-hook.
1:15 > Ranzany backs to the left-side Ring area, as Cuevas moves in.