Manuel Ramos

Manuel Ramos was Mexico's top heavyweight boxing contender for the decades of the 1960s and 70s. At 6 feet 4 inches and 218 pounds, Ramos had a sledge hammer punch and an iron chin. He turned professional in Mexico in 1964 and racked up 8 straight wins. From 1966-1968, he scored 15 consecutive victories, including upset wins over Ernie Terrell and James J. Woody. He earned a number 4 world ranking and a shot against heavyweight king Joe Frazier. In one of the most exciting and savage title fights of the 1960s, Ramos and Frazier stood toe-to-toe exchanging blow for blow. However, by the second round, Frazier's brutal body punches decked Ramos for the first time in his career; two more knockdowns ended the fight. After the Frazier defeat, something left Manuel Ramos. He continued to fight for nine more years, but upset losses to George Chuvallo and Chuck Wepner ended his contender days. From 1971 to 1977 he lost 15 consecutive fights, the last being by knockout to Bob Hazelton on June 30, 1977. Ramos retired with a 25-29-3 record with 18 wins by knockout.