On This Day In Boxing History!

1948: Victor Galindez Was Born!

Víctor Emilio Galíndez (November 2, 1948 – October 26, 1980), known as “El Leopardo de Morón” (“The Leopard of Morón”), was an Argentine professional boxer and one of the finest light heavyweights of the 1970s. Combining toughness, strength, punching power, and an aggressive style, he twice held the World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight title. Born in Vedia, Buenos Aires Province, and closely associated with Morón, he fought from 1969 to 1980, compiling a record of 55 wins (34 by knockout), nine losses, and four draws in 70 bouts and 601 rounds.

Galíndez was an accomplished amateur before turning professional. He fought from an orthodox stance, stood 5 feet 9½ inches tall and had a reach of 72½ inches representing Argentina at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, winning silver in the light-middleweight division, and at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where he also competed as a light-middleweight and lost on points to Italy’s Aldo Bentini. These experiences gave him a solid foundation for his professional debut on May 10, 1969.

He quickly became a major force. In 1972, he won both the Argentine and South American light heavyweight championships, defeating respected opponents including Juan Aguilar and Jorge Ahumada on his way to international recognition. His strength, durability and willingness to engage made him formidable, and his ability to go the championship distance set him apart from many of his contemporaries.

The defining moment of his career came on December 7, 1974, when he challenged Len Hutchins for the vacant WBA light heavyweight title in Buenos Aires. Galíndez won by stoppage, becoming Argentina’s newest world champion. He went on to defend the title successfully 10 times, making him one of the division’s most active and accomplished champions of the decade.

His title defenses took him around the world, with important victories over South African contender Pierre Fourie, Jorge Ahumada, Norwegian challenger Harald Skog, Richie Kates, Kosie Smith, Yaqui López and Eddie Gregory, who later became known as Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. His encounters with Fourie and Kates were particularly demanding. Galíndez showed he could win through both knockout power and the ability to stay effective over 15 rounds, cementing his standing in the global light heavyweight division.

His reign ended on September 15, 1978, when American challenger Mike Rossman stopped him in the 13th round at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, a significant upset that handed Rossman the WBA title. A rematch scheduled for February 24, 1979, in Las Vegas was cancelled shortly before the contest over the appointment of the judges. Galíndez had sought a different judging arrangement, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission maintained its authority to appoint all three officials, and with neither side willing to compromise, the fight did not take place.

The rematch finally took place on April 14, 1979, again at the Louisiana Superdome. Galíndez produced a determined performance, forcing Rossman to retire after the ninth round and reclaiming the title to become a two-time world champion. His second reign was considerably shorter than his first: on November 30, 1979, another formidable American, Marvin Johnson, stopped him in the 11th round in New Orleans to capture the championship.

Galíndez fought one final time on June 14, 1980, against American Jesse Burnett at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, losing a 12-round unanimous decision. He announced his retirement on August 21, 1980, following surgery to repair detached retinas in both eyes.

Tragically, his life ended just two months later. Having developed an interest in motorsport, he took up racing in Argentina’s Turismo Carretera. On October 26, 1980, during his first race, his car broke down near the end of the opening lap. As Galíndez and his co-driver, Nito Lizeviche, walked back toward the pits, another competitor’s car lost control and struck them. Both men were killed. Galíndez was 31 years old.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002, the same year The Ring magazine ranked him 11th among the greatest light heavyweights of all time. Remembered as an important figure in Argentine boxing history, he was a powerful, internationally respected champion whose record reflected both his longevity and his championship credentials.

Victor Galindez  

Born: November 2nd, 1948

Birth Place: Vedia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Residence: Moron, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Pro-Debut:  May 5th, 1969

Division: Light heavyweight

Alias: El Leopardo de Morón

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 9½″  

Reach: 72½″  

Bouts: 70

Rounds: 602

Ko’s: 49%

Record: 55-9-4, 34Ko’s

Died: Age 31, October 26th, 1980

November 2nd

1895: Jack Dempsey "Nonpareil" passed from tuberculosis age 32

1900: Terry McGovern KO7 Joe Bernstein

1903: Joe Gans ND6 Jack Blackburn

1909: Sam Langford KO2 Klondike Haynes

1914: Jack Dempsey age 19 debuts KO1 Young Hancock

1915: Ted “Kid” Lewis W12 Milburn Saylor

1944: Legendary ring announcer, Michael "Let's get Ready To Rumble" Buffer was born, Philadelphia, P.A.

1948: Victor Galindez was born Vedia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

1963: Steve Cruz is born in Fort Worth, Texas

1967: Eric Griffin was born in Lafayette, Louisiana

1969: John Coward was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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1988: Mexican radio station erroneously reports Mike Tyson dead

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