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

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ September 9, 1978

Charles C. Hughes Stadium ~ Sacramento, California

Attendance ...... 17,000

* Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas - 22-6-0 {20 KO's} ~ 5' 8" ~ 146 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 7 months}
vs.
* Pete Ranzany - 40-2-1 {26 KO's} ~ 5' 10 1/2" ~ 146 1/2 lbs. {Age; 26 years, 5 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

WBA Welterweight Champion - Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas was making the '7th' Title Defense of the
Championshio he won 2-Years earlier {July 17, 1976}.

Cuevas had 'stopped' each of his previous Challengers, as well as stopping then WBA Champion
Angel Espada when the young 18 year-old Mexican had won the Title.

There was no doubt that 'Pipino' was a vicious puncher, but there still remained the question,
as to whether he could handle a real good boxer over a long distance.

Lupe Sanchez {Manager for Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas}
"We are not here to prove if we can win over 15-Rounds. We're here to put Pete Ranzany
down and out on his back, and fast."

"We have never been worried about whether or not a fight goes longer than 5 or 6 Rounds.
'Pipino' is well-trained, and he can go 15-Rounds if he has to."

"Look, we are coming into Ranzany's home-town to fight him. Do we have any fears or worries.
No not really. We just asked to have WBA Officials as Judges, to insure a proper and fair Decision if
it goes 15-Rounds."

[Bill Paxtom]

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Mexican Skinny ~

Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas did not need this Title bout.

Though Pete Ranzany was ranked as the #1 WBA Challenger, the bout was not a 'mandatory'
within the required time span.

This bout was promoted by MagnaVerde Promotions {Dan Villanueva} who offered Lupe Sanchez
an excellent fight purse for his fighter.

But, there was $400,000 {and more} waiting for 'Pipino', if he signed to fight a unification bout
with WBC Champion - Carlos Palomino.

[Bill Paxtom]

Pete Ranzany

Sacramento's Favorite Son

In 1978, Pete Ranzany was the NABF Welterweight Champion, as well as the #1 WBA Welterweight.

A tall-and-lanky boxer {5' 10 1/2"} with a 72" reach. Pete was a smooth-aggressive fighter, and carried
fast-accurate fists

Back on May 3, 1978 >

Pete originally signed to challenge WBC Champion - Carlos Palomino on September 15, 1978
on the undercard of the Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali 'II" bout in New Orleans.

But, Carlos injured himself in early-August and their bout was dropped.

In mid-August 1978 > the bout with Pipino Cuevas was put together for the WBA Championship.

[Bill Paxtom]

WBA Ratings {August 1978}

*** Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas
#1 .. Pete Ranzany
#2 .. Armando Muniz
#3 .. Harold Weston Jr.
#4 .. Davey Green
#5 .. Clyde Gray
#6 .. Floyd Mayweather
#7 .. Ryu Sorimachi
#8 .. Randy Shields
#9 .. Everaldo Costa Acevedo
#10 . Mimoun Mohatar

Pete Ranzany had scored recent wins over >

* June 25, 1978 ........ KO 2 .......... Santiago Valdez
* May 2, 1978 ........... W Dec 10 ... Rafael Rodriguez
* March 14, 1978 ...... KO 4 .......... Joe Grier
* February 14, 1978 .. TKO 11 ...... Randy Shields ...... { NABF Championship }

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Welterweight Happenings ~

On May 29, 1978

It was announced that Carlos Palomino 'fractured' his left-hand in the 9th Round, in his
WBC Championship Bout with Armando Muniz on May 28th.

Manager - Jackie McCoy stated that his fighter {Carlos Palomino} would require at least
2 to 3 months rest, to allow for the left-hand to heal.

Jackie McCoy said that Carlos would most likely resume training in late-August and would
'now' make his next defense against #1 WBC-ranked - Wilfred Benitez in October 1978.

Carlos had signed a Fight Contract on May 2, 1978 - to make his next defense against
#2 WBC-ranked Pete Ranzany on September 15th.

Pete Ranzany was ranked as the #2 WBC and #1 WBA Welterweight now.

Manager - Joey Lopes and Trainer - Herman Carter did not want their fighter {Pete Ranzany}
to sit around and wait for a bout for the WBC Championship, which would be pushed back
at least 7-Months until early-1978.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 25, 1978

Stateline, Nevada

* Pete Ranzany - 39-2-1 {25 KO's} ~ 150 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 2 months}
vs.
* Santiago Valdez - 19-2-0 {16 KO's} ~ 147 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 5 months}

Pete Ranzany in a tune-up bout, takes on dangerous Ohio-Bomber - Santiago Valdez.

It was 'bombs-away for 'Pistol Pete', as he tagged the young and hard-hitting Valdez with repeated long
range right-hands to the chin.

Though Santiago Valdez could punch, he had a 'porous defense', and could easily be tagged by right-hands
to the chin.

Pete put Santiago away in Round 2, as he slammed in '3' pin-point right-hands to the head that sent Valdez
to the canvas in a heap.

[Beanflicker]

Pipino... hard puncher... but overrated!

[Bill Paxtom]

Pipino... hard puncher... but overrated!

No, he was not.

Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas peaked at an early age.

'El Toro' started boxing as a Professional in November 1971 at {Age; 13 years, 11 months} as a Lightweight.

[Beanflicker]

I don't think he had much of a chin to be honest!

Also famous for getting beaten up in the gym by a teenaged Tony Ayala Jr!

[Bill Paxtom]

I don't think he had much of a chin to be honest!

Also famous for getting beaten up in the gym by a teenaged Tony Ayala Jr!

His chin was rated as 'excellent'.

Getting KO'd by Thomas Hearns doesn't mean you have 'no chin.

The Tony Ayala Jr. issue was 'a total fabrication' for publicity.

It never happened, just ask the people from San Antonio. Nobody ever saw it, or has photo's of this 'so-called session'.

Thru August 1, 1980 >

Nobody had ever hurt, staggered, or dropped Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas.

[Bill Paxtom]

Frankola

The Charles Hughes Stadium was a medium-sized {Capacity; 21,300} outdoor stadium in Sacramento, California.

The attendance figures were listed at 17,000+.
* Gate Receipts .... $196,000

This was also broadcast thru 40 Closed Circuit Outlets.

Fight Purses

* Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas ...... $157,800
The Champion was 'guaranteed' a minimum of $100,000 of the Gate Receipts, against 55% of the Total Take = {$107,800}
The Champion was 'guaranteed' a minimum of $35,000 from the Closed Circuit revenue.
The Champion received an additional $15,000 for the 'delayed' Broadcast rights, for the Spanish Television Network.


* Pete Ranzany ................ $55,000
The Challenger was 'guaranteed' a flat fee of $55,000.

[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."