Argentina's heros': Victor Galindez & Jorge Castro.

[MRBILL]

I love South American culture, lifestyle, food and----Narcotics.... Yes, I am guilty there......... BUT! The overall question is: "Who does Argentina favor the most when reflecting on their sports heros?" We WILL EXCLUDE Carlos Monzon because we ALL know he is the countries GRAND champion...... But what's the score or take between the late Victor Galindez or the more modern but aging Jorge Castro??? I'm certain the people of Argentina speak and praise the late Galindez, but what is the story of Castro these days down south.?.? Anyone thoughts? Does anybody care??
:huh:shock::rasta:bbb:deal

MR.BILL

Note:

Please, no soccer trivia...... I'm not interested in who can kick a ball around a field.....:bart

[MRBILL]

I have "Galindez vs. Marvin Johnson" rolling from '79..... Johnson KO'd Galindez.... Galindez was only age 31, but slipping by then..... Galindez got killed in a racing accident in the Fall of 1980....... R.I.P.

MR.BILL

Note:

The hell is Johnson doin' these days..... Is he still living in Indiana? Who knows??

[My2Sense]

Wasn't Castro in some kind of serious car accident recently? I seem to remember him being in a coma and/or in very serious condition. After that I believe he was forced to retire, though I think I also heard he'd made another comeback or was planning to.

Could be confusing him with someone else though.

[MRBILL]

Wasn't Castro in some kind of serious car accident recently? I seem to remember him being in a coma and/or in very serious condition. After that I believe he was forced to retire, though I think I also heard he'd made another comeback or was planning to.

Could be confusing him with someone else though.

Maybe.? Is Argentina unsafe to drive in??? Christ, "Monzon & Galindez" were killed in freak car crashes, and Roberto Duran was seriously injured around 2001 in a wreck there, or so I was told it was in Argentina.... I'm not sure about Castro..... However, Jorge Castro would be 40 yrs old these days...... His days as a serious fighter have got to be over with......

MR.BILL:bbb

[GPater11093]

i actually heard Monzon was hated in Argentina before he won the world title and i mean detested in Argentina

[MRBILL]

i actually heard Monzon was hated in Argentina before he won the world title and i mean detested in Argentina

I didn't know that.... But, I think he lost some fans after he offed his wife in the late 80s.... He tossed her out the window for swan dive.....
:patsch:shock:

MR.BILL

[red cobra]

I've always held the Argentine greats in the highest esteem, most notably Monzon, whom I'll refrain from mentioning because he obviously is an alltime great who transcended just being "Argentine". Galindez was another favorite whose defenses I watched avidly in those good ol' days back in the 70's on free tv. He was capable of being a powerful strong slugger type, but adopted a rather effective points-earning, patient counterpunching style which I appreciated, like some fans appreciated Saad Muhammad's very different, rock'em sock 'em dramatic ko style. I was also, peculiarly enough, a fan of the not very popular Hugo Corro, whose style even disgusteed Galindez, who was ctitical of Corro in the way he captured the middleweight title from the faded Rodrigo Valdez, by retreating constantly and only counterpunching until the last 3 rounds of their 15 rounder, when he suddenly switched tactics and became the aggressor. Corro was from Mendoza, I think, and the fighters who came from that city were all known to use a similar box, retreat and counterpunch style like Corro.

[red cobra]

Monzon may have been hated for a while, but have you ever seem a tape of his funeral? It rivalled the feverish mobs that surrounded the funeral procession of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Monzon ended up being a hero again in death.

[GPater11093]

I didn't know that.... But, I think he lost some fans after he offed his wife in the late 80s.... He tossed her out the window for swan dive.....
:patsch:shock:

MR.BILL

no i think it was something to do with winning the Argentine MW title from a Argentine Hero but he made up for it winning world honours

Monzon may have been hated for a while, but have you ever seem a tape of his funeral? It rivalled the feverish mobs that surrounded the funeral procession of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Monzon ended up being a hero again in death.

dont really watch funerals but heard it was full,

[Russell]

Wasn't Castro in some kind of serious car accident recently? I seem to remember him being in a coma and/or in very serious condition. After that I believe he was forced to retire, though I think I also heard he'd made another comeback or was planning to.

Could be confusing him with someone else though.

He was in a very bad car accident early on or even before his career started. He was told he would never fight again.

Fast forward almost 20 years and the guys eating Cruiserweight punches like nothing. :happy

[MRBILL]

Since Monzon had a struggle making weight, it's too bad the boxing world didn't have a 168 lb. division back in Monzon's heyday..... I think Monzon would've fit right in and would've been even stronger there...... 160 was killing him to make after 1975.....

"Carlos Monzon vs. Victor Galindez" at 175 lbs. would've sold zillions of tickets in South America, but I think 175 would've been too much weight for Monzon..... At 175, he prolly loses pretty badly to Galindez........ Cheers.....

MR.BILL

[MRBILL]

To this day, I think "Jorge Castro vs. John D. Jackson" down in Mexico back in 1994 is one of the wildest 160 lb. title fights you'll ever see in recent memory....... That was the type of fight that would make Stanley Ketchel rise up for a gander........ Castro cameback to KO Jackson while on the brink of defeat...... I got it on tape.....

MR.BILL

[My2Sense]

i actually heard Monzon was hated in Argentina before he won the world title and i mean detested in Argentina

Yes, because he beat Jorge Fernandez who was Argentina's #1 boxing hero at the time. Similar to how many British fans hated Joe Bugner after he beat Henry Cooper. It wasn't until Monzon won the world title that Argentines mysteriously changed their attitudes toward him. :lol:

[MRBILL]

What's Jorge Castro's cash flow like down in Argentina? With over 120 pro fights and a world title on his resume, he best be doin' good and livin' in a nice house there.... I don't wanna here he's in the streets eating out of a trash can.... But Latin fighters are known to be big spenders and support big ass families..... Most seem to end up broke.....

MR.BILL

[My2Sense]

He was in a very bad car accident early on or even before his career started. He was told he would never fight again.

Fast forward almost 20 years and the guys eating Cruiserweight punches like nothing. :happy

I'm almost certain something happened to him recently though. I remember him being in very critical condition, and perhaps not likely to pull through (though he obviously did). Believe he was in a coma at one point.

[MRBILL]

I'm almost certain something happened to him recently though. I remember him being in very critical condition, and perhaps not likely to pull through (though he obviously did). Believe he was in a coma at one point.

Again, they drive crazy down is South America..... Spanish / Latin drivers drive crazy..... We've lost "Sal Sanchez, Carlos Monzon, Vic Galindez, Gilberto Roman, Diego Corrales, Buffalo Martinez & Tito Alba." Alba was the Spanish translator for HBO back in the 1980s..... And, then we have these close calls with "Duran & Castro." I'm sure their are others too who are dead by way of vehicle accident, but I can't think of anymore names right now.....
:|:admin:patsch

MR.BILL:deal

[Russell]

No, I'm positive he was in one decades ago as well. It was mentioned leading up to the Jones fight.

[My2Sense]

No, I'm positive he was in one decades ago as well. It was mentioned leading up to the Jones fight.

Well, the poor guy must've been in two life-threatening accidents then. Damn, the man needs to slow down! :patsch


From [Only registered and activated users can see links]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Few can resist the thrill of seeing him inside the ring again. After all, as he himself declares: "I'm the man who came back from the dead."

Jorge "Locomotora" Castro, 38, is not only the best Argentine boxer of the last decade, but he is also a showman who excels in the world of boxing.

Bad behavior aside -- which of course makes him more fascinating -- his skill with the gloves and his eccentricities outside the ring have transformed him into a living legend, loved by Argentines and respected worldwide.

It's well known that on June 17, 2005, only three weeks after winning a WBA eliminatory bout in Luna Park, and after signing a contract with Don King, Castro was injured in a terrible car accident.

Suffering pulmonary wounds and various fractures, "Roña" was kept in Cosme Argerich Hospital in Buenos Aires for 30 days, 20 of which he has no recollection.

The injuries listed in the official medical report include a severe trauma in the left lung producing a large amount of swelling, the fracture of a rib on the right side that punctured his right lung, and fractures to the pelvis, right shoulder blade, and right thigh bone.

"I only remember my first two days at the hospital," he said. "I was in a lot of pain but I was conscious. They later induced a coma in order to let me breathe through an artificial respirator. When I woke up, I didn't understand what was going on because I didn't remember what had happened."

What Castro can't remember -- although people later reminded him -- is the unconditional support he received from his fans, who covered his front door with flags, expressing support and wishing him a speedy recovery.

"I've kept all those mementos, and I'm really grateful to my fans. I knew I was popular, but I never imagined how much," he told ESPNdeportes.com.

The truth is that Castro's physical strength, combined with the great medical teamwork led by professor Jorge Arata, performed the miracle.

Sitting in a wheelchair on July 17, 2005, Castro went to his home in Morón, a house he had bought with part of the money given to him for the fight against American Derrick Harmon, whom Castro had knocked out in seven rounds May 26 at the WBA -- KO Against Drugs Festival, becoming the WBA's mandatory light-heavyweight contender.

The day after the accident, this journalist reached Castro and spoke with him. Although he could barely breathe, he said things I will never forget.

"I screwed up, huh?" was the first thing he said as soon as he saw us, just like a kid admitting he made a mistake.

Nonetheless, the naughty boy inside Castro soon appeared. "I will fight [WBA light heavyweight champion Fabrice] Tiozzo in about three months," he said defiantly.

Born Again

Time has passed and Castro is the same as always. The confirmed joker. The irresponsible one. The insanely brave man. The idol. An incomplete physical rehabilitation is now in the past. Castro remembers his first days after returning home.

"Along came Dr. Walter Quintero and we had kinesiology sessions," he said. "And the press wouldn't stop looking for me. But for the rest of the day I was really bored, I could barely move."

Nonetheless, that situation didn't last for long. Soon began trips around the neighborhood in a wheelchair pushed by his wife Belen, a fundamental cornerstone in Castro's recovery.

"Belen has been great to me," Castro said proudly. "I've had a thousand women in my life. That's the reason I have 14 sons [laughs], but no other woman has been like Belen. She showed she really loves me."

But his wife's unconditional love has not always been enough to stop Castro's desire to fool around.

In fact, after weeks of kinesiology sessions, weight lifting and even some swimming sessions, Castro momentarily abandoned rehabilitation in November 2005.

By then, his intention of returning to boxing seemed to have faded, and he even considered hanging up his gloves, which in the past would have been unthinkable.

"I'm not a kid anymore," he had said. "That's why everything's harder now. We're going to see if I can return to boxing, I haven't decided yet. But if I have to retire, I will. I don't want to be one of those guys people feel sorry for. I'll have to dedicate myself to something else."

But as all great characters are full of contradictions, he soon changed his mind.

"I'm training to box again," he said. "I'd like my first fight to be at Luna Park, in a really big event."

The comeback began taking form in March, although there was a big obstacle: The Argentine Boxing Federation had to renew his license.

For that to happen, he had to pass strict medical exams.

Castro is ready to go back to boxing after passing a serious exam by the ABF Medical Tribunal, headed by Dr. Hugo Rodriguez Papini, ABF president Osvaldo Bisbal said.

With his renewed license in hand, there still are doubts concerning Castro's physical condition.

After all, it's a miracle he's still alive, according to the doctors who looked after him last year.

But Castro knows no fear when it's time to confront another boxer inside the ring.

Having had the glory of becoming a world champion (WBA middleweight, 1994-95) and compiling a record of 129-10-3 with 89 KOs, he fought warriors Roy Jones Jr., Terry Norris, Reggie Johnson, John David Jackson, Juan Carlos Gomez and Vasily Jirov, among others.

At 38, Castro's return to the ring on Saturday will be anything but easy. He'll confront Colombian Jose Luis Herrera, who does not have the same experience as Castro but owns a formidable 13-1 record, with all of the wins by knockout (including two in Argentina).

"Say 'Hi' to the man who came back from the dead. I died, went to heaven, but Saint Peter had the door locked with a double chain," were Castro's first words at the press conference in which he officially announced his comeback.

"The truth is, I don't know how I managed to survive. I couldn't stand seeing myself lying in bed, I had to get on my feet. Now I will surprise everyone who thought me dead," said Castro, who will be making his third appearance in the South American boxing temple.

Already in a boxing session in the ABF (Argentinian Boxing Federation) gym, Castro trains the left hook that'll stop his rival.

He saves his right as much as he can, but it sure causes damage when it is unleashed. Training is over for the day.

Castro, the man who is capable of blending with world-famous soccer team Boca Juniors "barra brava" and visiting Argentinian President Nestor Kirchner the next day, has proven the skeptics wrong.

All the rest is just secondary.

Buenos Aires-based Sebastián Contursi is ESPNdeportes.com's boxing analyst. He has covered more than 80 championship fights for various publications in the United States and Argentina.

[MRBILL]

Well, the poor guy must've been in two life-threatening accidents then. Damn, the man needs to slow down! :patsch


From [Only registered and activated users can see links]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Few can resist the thrill of seeing him inside the ring again. After all, as he himself declares: "I'm the man who came back from the dead."

Jorge "Locomotora" Castro, 38, is not only the best Argentine boxer of the last decade, but he is also a showman who excels in the world of boxing.

Bad behavior aside -- which of course makes him more fascinating -- his skill with the gloves and his eccentricities outside the ring have transformed him into a living legend, loved by Argentines and respected worldwide.

It's well known that on June 17, 2005, only three weeks after winning a WBA eliminatory bout in Luna Park, and after signing a contract with Don King, Castro was injured in a terrible car accident.

Suffering pulmonary wounds and various fractures, "Roña" was kept in Cosme Argerich Hospital in Buenos Aires for 30 days, 20 of which he has no recollection.

The injuries listed in the official medical report include a severe trauma in the left lung producing a large amount of swelling, the fracture of a rib on the right side that punctured his right lung, and fractures to the pelvis, right shoulder blade, and right thigh bone.

"I only remember my first two days at the hospital," he said. "I was in a lot of pain but I was conscious. They later induced a coma in order to let me breathe through an artificial respirator. When I woke up, I didn't understand what was going on because I didn't remember what had happened."

What Castro can't remember -- although people later reminded him -- is the unconditional support he received from his fans, who covered his front door with flags, expressing support and wishing him a speedy recovery.

"I've kept all those mementos, and I'm really grateful to my fans. I knew I was popular, but I never imagined how much," he told ESPNdeportes.com.

The truth is that Castro's physical strength, combined with the great medical teamwork led by professor Jorge Arata, performed the miracle.

Sitting in a wheelchair on July 17, 2005, Castro went to his home in Morón, a house he had bought with part of the money given to him for the fight against American Derrick Harmon, whom Castro had knocked out in seven rounds May 26 at the WBA -- KO Against Drugs Festival, becoming the WBA's mandatory light-heavyweight contender.

The day after the accident, this journalist reached Castro and spoke with him. Although he could barely breathe, he said things I will never forget.

"I screwed up, huh?" was the first thing he said as soon as he saw us, just like a kid admitting he made a mistake.

Nonetheless, the naughty boy inside Castro soon appeared. "I will fight [WBA light heavyweight champion Fabrice] Tiozzo in about three months," he said defiantly.

Born Again

Time has passed and Castro is the same as always. The confirmed joker. The irresponsible one. The insanely brave man. The idol. An incomplete physical rehabilitation is now in the past. Castro remembers his first days after returning home.

"Along came Dr. Walter Quintero and we had kinesiology sessions," he said. "And the press wouldn't stop looking for me. But for the rest of the day I was really bored, I could barely move."

Nonetheless, that situation didn't last for long. Soon began trips around the neighborhood in a wheelchair pushed by his wife Belen, a fundamental cornerstone in Castro's recovery.

"Belen has been great to me," Castro said proudly. "I've had a thousand women in my life. That's the reason I have 14 sons [laughs], but no other woman has been like Belen. She showed she really loves me."

But his wife's unconditional love has not always been enough to stop Castro's desire to fool around.

In fact, after weeks of kinesiology sessions, weight lifting and even some swimming sessions, Castro momentarily abandoned rehabilitation in November 2005.

By then, his intention of returning to boxing seemed to have faded, and he even considered hanging up his gloves, which in the past would have been unthinkable.

"I'm not a kid anymore," he had said. "That's why everything's harder now. We're going to see if I can return to boxing, I haven't decided yet. But if I have to retire, I will. I don't want to be one of those guys people feel sorry for. I'll have to dedicate myself to something else."

But as all great characters are full of contradictions, he soon changed his mind.

"I'm training to box again," he said. "I'd like my first fight to be at Luna Park, in a really big event."

The comeback began taking form in March, although there was a big obstacle: The Argentine Boxing Federation had to renew his license.

For that to happen, he had to pass strict medical exams.

Castro is ready to go back to boxing after passing a serious exam by the ABF Medical Tribunal, headed by Dr. Hugo Rodriguez Papini, ABF president Osvaldo Bisbal said.

With his renewed license in hand, there still are doubts concerning Castro's physical condition.

After all, it's a miracle he's still alive, according to the doctors who looked after him last year.

But Castro knows no fear when it's time to confront another boxer inside the ring.

Having had the glory of becoming a world champion (WBA middleweight, 1994-95) and compiling a record of 129-10-3 with 89 KOs, he fought warriors Roy Jones Jr., Terry Norris, Reggie Johnson, John David Jackson, Juan Carlos Gomez and Vasily Jirov, among others.

At 38, Castro's return to the ring on Saturday will be anything but easy. He'll confront Colombian Jose Luis Herrera, who does not have the same experience as Castro but owns a formidable 13-1 record, with all of the wins by knockout (including two in Argentina).

"Say 'Hi' to the man who came back from the dead. I died, went to heaven, but Saint Peter had the door locked with a double chain," were Castro's first words at the press conference in which he officially announced his comeback.

"The truth is, I don't know how I managed to survive. I couldn't stand seeing myself lying in bed, I had to get on my feet. Now I will surprise everyone who thought me dead," said Castro, who will be making his third appearance in the South American boxing temple.

Already in a boxing session in the ABF (Argentinian Boxing Federation) gym, Castro trains the left hook that'll stop his rival.

He saves his right as much as he can, but it sure causes damage when it is unleashed. Training is over for the day.

Castro, the man who is capable of blending with world-famous soccer team Boca Juniors "barra brava" and visiting Argentinian President Nestor Kirchner the next day, has proven the skeptics wrong.

All the rest is just secondary.

Buenos Aires-based Sebastián Contursi is ESPNdeportes.com's boxing analyst. He has covered more than 80 championship fights for various publications in the United States and Argentina.

That's a serious post there, dude..........:good

I gotta assume he is done fighting now.... Castro is now 41 this year...... I hope he ain't broke....:bbb

MR.BILL:rasta

[GPater11093]

Yes, because he beat Jorge Fernandez who was Argentina's #1 boxing hero at the time. Similar to how many British fans hated Joe Bugner after he beat Henry Cooper. It wasn't until Monzon won the world title that Argentines mysteriously changed their attitudes toward him. :lol:

yeh they really changed their minds about him

[markedwardscott]

Juan Roldan was a hell of a fighter from Argentina who hurt both Hagler and Hearns before going down.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[MRBILL]

Juan Roldan was a hell of a fighter from Argentina who hurt both Hagler and Hearns before going down.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

YES! "Castro & Roldan" were rugged dudes who lacked polish and skill.... However, they were tough guys.......

Christ, I lost track of Juan Roldan after he lost to Michael Nunn on PPV in 1988 or so........... Roldan never won a big fight......
:bart

MR.BILL