Ray Mancini
Titles: WBA lightweight champion 1982-1984
Record: 29-5
Born: March 4, 1961 in Youngstown, Ohio, USA
Years active: 1979-1992
Nickname: "Boom Boom"
Mancini carried on the great tradition of Italian American boxers in the 80's when
it had been years since the last Italian American had reigned as a world champ
much less become nationally recognized. Ray was the son of a former boxer (Lenny
who was a contender in line for a shot against Sammy Angott in the 40's) who
carried on his fathers dreams who was wounded in World War II and could no longer
fight to his previous ability. He also took his fathers nickname of "Boom Boom"
and made it his mission to gain the world title he felt his father deserved. Ray
was also lucky to come along in a time when boxing was featured every weekend on
national TV, and Ray had a style made for TV. Take into account his all action
style, boyish good looks with the story line of wanting to capture a title for his
father and it made for perfect afternoon television. But Ray would have never
become world champion if he did not have talent, that is ultimately what took him
to the top. A tragedy would however dull the enjoyment once he had reached his
and his fathers goal. To call Mancini a mini Marciano would be apt, but he did
have much more basic boxing ability. Mancini would come out from his corner walk
his man down, dip low and start to throw punches until the bell rang to end the
round. While never fleet footed Mancini had a knack for cutting of the ring
preventing his foes from circeling around him. He simply gave 100 percent every
minute of a fight throwing punches or looking for a opening to throw a punch.
Also like Rocky he took many shots in return. Standing 5'6 1/2" his hardy style
also made for a short but exciting championship reign. After a 43-7 (23 K.O's)
amateur career Mancini started his pro career with 9 impressive wins around his
home state before being moved to fight in Las Vegas to showcase him for the
national media on undercard fights in the Vegas hotels. He passed with flying
colors, going 20 and 0 with 15 knock out to start his career. His first big win
came over Kelvin Lampkins back in his hometown in a 9th round KO. A year later
Mancini won the NABF title with a thrilling effort over Jorge Morales. That again
was backed up with another very impressive win over Jose Luis Ramirez. The Mexican
Ramirez was a former champion who was known for his toughness and extended Mancini
to his first 12 round limit. In all his fights Mancini usually wore his opponents
down with constant offense. After the 4th or 5th round his foes had been broken
of their will if not their ribs. Maybe it was all coming a bit too fast as he was
moved into title contention after only 22 fights. Awaiting him was not just a
fighter but a legend. The fight with Arguello was a classic, the still young and
raw Mancini did well to last as long as he did against Arguello, a boxing assassin
in his prime. Ray fought with his usual all action style winging punches from all
angles, but the ring savvy of Arguello was too much as he avoided the rushes of
Mancini finding big openings for counter punches. The height and great jab of
Arguello also gave Mancini many problem. Finally in the 14th round Arguello was
able to knockdown and stop Mancini. After the fight Mancini had actually gained
in reputation for his courageous performance and willingness to go right at Alexis.
It was one of 1981's best fights. Remember Ray had not even had 25 pro fights and
not yet reached his 21st birthday. Ray did not let give up on his aspirations for
a world title after the Arguello loss. In a testament to his resilience Ray was
back in a title fight seven months later! After 2 more wins, one against slick
boxing Julio Valdez, Mancini made his second attempt at the title against Arturo
Frias, a hard hitting veteran. This time Ray would not be denied as ripped into
Frias from the opening bell never letting up on the gas. It was a brief but brutal
fight as Mancini was rocked twice in the opening two minutes and cut over the
right eye. Thirty seconds before the bell Mancini landed a perfectly timed counter
left hook and the follow up left hook dropped Frias. Frias back to the ropes where
Mancini was credited with throwing 33 blows in 22 seconds before the referee
stepped in to stop the fight. Frias was pounded out in 2 minutes and 54 seconds
of the first round. It was a mini version of Hagler vs. Hearns. Ray said it was
the proudest moment of his life when he heard his father say to a reporter "This
is the greatest present our son could give us." Taking little time out to celebrate
his lifelong dream Mancini was back in the ring after only two months. Former
lightweight champion Ernesto Espana of Venezuela was Mancini's first challenger
who had earned a shot at the title 7 consecutive wins. This time Mancini was backed
by his home crowd and used the energy much like he had the emotion of winning the
title for his father. It pushed him to a sixth round knock out victory. Once his
all action style feed the crowd as he walked in slipping punches better than in
perhaps any other fight and tagging Espana with repeated right hooks. Next Mancini
took on his mirror image style wise in Duk Koo-Kim, who was referred as the Korean
Mancini. The fight of course is most remembered for the death of Kim (Kim's mother
would later commit suicide never getting over the loss of her son), who did not
regain consciousness after being knocked out in the 14 round. In a grim prediction
Kim had taped a sign to his wall that read "Kill or be killed". It also brought
about the change of championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds. The fight itself
was intense if one sided, Kim always attacking but a step slower than Mancini
taking a lot of punishment. Ray himself was cut and bruised from the two way
slugging but had the advantage in handspeed which he used well stepping to the
side and landing straight punches to the head when the battle came out of the
phone booth. In the fatal 14th round Ray was credited with landing 30 consecutive
blows. Incredibly Kim beat the count but was not allowed to continue. Seconds
later he collapsed from a blood clot in his brain, never regained consciousness
and died five days later. Ray a committed Christian would seek solace in his
religion before coming back into the ring. In his first fight back Mancini wanted
a change and fought in Italy against George Feeny, it went the full 10 rounds and
it seemed as if Mancini was not all together over the death of Kim with periods
of inactivity in the ring. Mancini would next retain his title against Peruvian
Orlando Romero in easy fashion via 9th round knockout. But again he lacked
something? In a fight that promised to be a war of sluggers Mancini next took on
faded Bobby Chacon. In a fight with Chacon everyone knew Mancini had no choice but
to fight all out. That he did, finally putting the ghost of Duk Koo-Kim behind
him. Mancini was simply too big for Chacon who battled in vain for 3 rounds
throwing punches with abandon but never landing with either effect or accuracy.
Mancini knowing he had the advantage put on pressure from the start advancing and
forcing Chacon into the corners. The referee stopped the fight in the third round
with Chacon still on his feet but obviously outclassed. It was the last title
defense for Ray as he next fought and lost to Livingstone Bramble. The strategy
for Mancini coming into the bout was to take it to the body of Bramble, which
backfired. Bramble perhaps the fittest lightweight of that time took the shots
well and countered to the head with accuracy quickly swelling Mancini up. It was
Mancini who ultimately tired and lost his title in the 14th round. Mancini was
strong for the first 6 rounds before Bramble started using his long reach to
effect tagging Mancini on the way in or after pushing him off from clinches. For
the last 8 rounds Mancini was pounded into a bloody mess. Bramble had also gotten
Mancini mad always talking trash to the champion, a fact that played into both
their first and second fight. In the first fight Mancini came out too strong
throwing every punch with manic intensity wearing himself out. In the second Ray
claimed to have over trained in preparation. The rematch 8 months later with
Bramble was the same fight as the first but with Bramble even more effective as
Mancini this time winning a 15 round decision. The final punchstats said it all
Bramble out landed Mancini 674 to 381. While Mancini once again won over the crowd
with his face first style the judges correctly ruled in favor of Bramble. It was
scored closely 143-142 and 144-143 twice but Bramble cut Mancini over both eyes
and his left one was swollen shut. A testament to the accuracy of Bramble. Mancini
had now had enough of boxing and the strains of making weight which had bothered
him since the Chacon fight and retired. A fight with Hector Camacho was too good
to pass on however. Camacho who had hounded Mancini in the press finally got under
the skin of Mancini and lured him out of retirement. The speed of Hector Camacho
was just the edge he needed to outpoint a better than expected Mancini. This fight
was the first lightweight title fight of the newly founded WBO. It took a late
rally of Camacho to win the final three rounds and get by via a very close split
decision win. Another comeback fight in 1992 ended in predictable fashion as he
was knocked out in 7 rounds against Greg Haugen. The drive was gone from Mancini
and this was the worst performance ever for Ray. This time Ray would retire for
good. Mancini is now living the good life in California taking acting roles where
he can find them. One of which is was about his life called "Heart and Soul".
Ray Mancini
Career Record: 29 W, 5 L (23 K.O's)
1979
18 Oct Phil Bowen OH KO1
13 Nov Lou Daniels AZ W6
24 Nov Rick Patterson DC KO2
14 Dec Roberto Perez TX KO1
1980
15 Jan Dale Gordon OH KO1
22 Jan Charlie Evans IN KO2
26 Jan Ramiro Hernandez MS KO3
17 Mar Tony Rutledge IN KO1
30 Apr Bobby Sparks OH KO1
18 Jun Trevor Evelyn OH KO2
23 Jul Leon Smith NV KO1
30 Jul Jaime Nava NV W10
9 Sep Johnny Summerhays OH W10
28 Oct Bobby Plegge OH KO6
9 Dec Kelvin Lampkins OH KO2
17 Dec Marvin Ladson OH KO1
1981
12 Mar Norman Goins NY KO2
2 Apr Al Ford IL W10
16 May Jorge Morales NY KO9
19 Jul Jose Ramirez OH W12
3 Oct Alexis Arguello NJ KO by 14
(For WBC Lightweight title)
26 Dec Manuel Adeboy NJ KO2
1982
23 Jan Julio "Diablito" Valdez NJ KO 10
8 May Art Frias NV KO1
(Won WBA Lightweight title)
24 Jul Ernesto Espana OH KO6
(Retained WBA Lightweight title)
13 Nov Duk-Koo Kim NV KO14
(Retained WBA Lightweight title)
1983
6 Jan George Feeney Italy W10
15 Sep Orlando Romero NY KO9
(Retained WBA Lightweight title)
25 Nov Johnny Torres NV KO1
1984
14 Jan Bobby Chacon NV KO3
(Retained WBA Lightweight title)
1 Jun Livingstone Bramble NY KO by 14
(Lost WBA Lightweight title)
1985
16 Feb Livingstone Bramble NV L 15
(For WBA Lightweight title)
1989
6 Mar Hector Camacho NV L12
(For Vacant WBO Jr. Welterweight title)
1992
3 Apr Greg Haugen NV KO by 7