Luis Ángel Firpo
Argentine boxer (1894–1960) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Luis Ángel Firpo (October 11, 1894 – August 7, 1960) was an Argentine boxer. Born in Junín, Argentina, he was nicknamed The Wild Bull of the Pampas.[1] He was the first Latin American in history to challenge for the world heavyweight title. His bout against Jess Willard set a world record for boxing attendance at the time.[2] His 1923 heavyweight title fight against Jack Dempsey was named Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 1923.
Luis Ángel Firpo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Firpo in 1919 | |
| Born | 11 October 1894 Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | August 7, 1960 (aged 65) |
| Other names | El Toro Salvaje de las Pampas |
| Statistics | |
| Height | 6 ft 2+1⁄2 in (1.89 m) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
Firpo was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the Old Timer category as part of the class of 2024.[3]
Boxing career
Summarize
Perspective
In 1922 he arrived in the United States.[4] He rose quickly in the Heavyweight rankings by winning all four of his fights that year by knockout. The first three in the United States made him a national hero in Argentina.[5] He returned to his home town Buenos Aires to fight Jim Tracey in front of 20,000 spectators. Firpo won by knockout in the 4th round.[6]
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Firpo began 1923 at Madison Square Garden knocking out former title challenger Bill Brennan in the 12th round with a right. Brennan had to be taken to the hospital afterwards for a concussion. "Dempsey never hit me any harder than this fellow," said Brennan. Adding that he couldn't wear his old hat because his head was too swollen.[7]
He followed that with seven more wins in a row, including a win over former world champion Jess Willard. Willard was 41 at the time, and his age forced the bout to be moved from New York to New Jersey.[8] The event drew enormous interest, as 100,000 fight fans crowded the event with an estimated 25,000 more turned away, an attendance which set a world record for boxing at the time.[9] After a win against Charley Weinert, Luis Firpo was scheduled for a heavyweight title shot against Jack Dempsey.
Firpo was the first Latin American in history to challenge for the world heavyweight title. In anticipation for the Dempsey-Firpo bout, a Firpo sparring session drew a crowd of 12,000.[10] The match was at the Polo Grounds, normal capacity 55,000, but an additional 20,000 seats were constructed bringing the total to 75,000 for the fight,[11] later expanded to 83,000. The police estimated that 150,000 people showed up, including a mass extending a quarter mile in every direction around the arena.[12]
Firpo was floored seven times in the first round of the bout, before he trapped Dempsey against the ropes and launched a combination that sent the champion out of the ring. Dempsey was helped into the ring at the count of nine (in spite of having been seventeen seconds outside the ring; fighters are given a twenty-second count when they are knocked through the ropes). After getting back in the ring Dempsey took 13 consecutive shots from Firpo.[13] In the second round Dempsey rallied and knocked out Firpo. It was named Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 1923.
He returned to Argentina for a period, fighting only 3 official bouts while he planned another return to the United States. Originally planned as a 10 match tour.[14] 80,000 attended his fight against Harry Wills,[15] however he was defeated. He followed that with a loss against Charley Weinert, who Firpo had previously beaten. Both were by newspaper decision.
Retirement
Afterwards, Firpo became a car-dealer for Stutz and a rancher. By 1940 he was ranching on a large scale in Carlos Casares with 8,000 cattle, 4,000 sheep and 400 horses. He discovered the boxer Abel Cestac in July 1940.[16] Firpo and Jack Dempsey agreed to jointly manage Cestac, who went on to become the South American heavyweight champion.[17][18] On his passing in 1960, Luis Firpo was buried in La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires. His mausoleum has a statue of him at the front.[19]
Legacy
Firpo's popularity around Latin America was immeasurable. Years later, C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo, a professional football team in El Salvador was named after him. In addition, various schools, streets, and avenues across Latin America have been named after him.[20]
The painting Dempsey and Firpo by George Bellows has appeared in many films including Goodfellas, and television including The Simpsons with Homer Simpson in the place of Firpo.[21] With some calling it "the most influential sports painting ever."[22]
In 2003, he was named by The Ring as one of the 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Professional boxing record
See also
- Jack Dempsey vs. Luis Ángel Firpo
- C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo -Football (soccer) team
- List of Argentines
- John Ruiz - First Hispanic world heavyweight champion
- Andy Ruiz - Second Hispanic world Heavyweight champion
References
External links
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