Vicente Rondon

Vicente Paul Rondon (born July 29, 1938 in Río Chico, Miranda, Venezuela) was a Venezuelan boxer.

Personal Background

Rondon was born in extreme poverty and decided to escape his poor surroundings by enlisting in the Venezuelan military at an early age.

Amateur career

Known as "El Muchachote de Barlovento", at almost 6 feet 3 inches and 160 pounds, Rondon was one of the strongest amateur boxers in South America. He compiled an outstanding record of 34-0 with 31 knockouts.

Professional career

When Rondon turned professional, his year of birth was listed as 1944; in fact it was 1938. Rondon began fighting as a middleweight and made a name for himself with upset victories over former world welterweight champion Luis Rodriguez and middleweight contender Bennie Briscoe.

However, Rondon was growing and quickly established himself as a top rated light heavyweight with impressive wins over Roger Rouse, Eddie Talhami, and Allen Thomas.

World Light heavyweight Champion Bob Foster didn't seem eager to fight the #2 ranked Rondon or the #1 rated Jimmy Dupree. The WBA stripped Foster of his title and matched Rondon and Dupree.

In an exciting slugfest, Rondon climbed off the canvas in the second round to stop the favored Dupree at 2:58 of the 6th round. At the time of the stopage, referee Zack Clayton had the fight scored even at 47-47. Judge Dimas Hernandez also scored the bout 47-47, and judge Gustavo Vargas favored Rondon, 48-47. Following the fight, a controversy broke out with Dupree claiming he was drugged. The United Press International published a story of the claim. In the UPI article, Charliese Smith, a registered nurse and friend of Dupree said, " I believe Jimmy was drugged. I saw Jimmy after the fight and he was very very weak. His vision was blurry and he couldn't even see the other side of the room." She went on to say, " I know of muscle relaxants that can be administered in food and I'm convinced that Jimmy was given something."

Regardless of the charges, the World Boxing Association recognized Rondon as world champion, while the Ring Magazine viewed Bob Foster as the legitimate Light heavyweight king.

1971 was an outstanding year for Rondon with a number of title defenses. He became the first and only fighter to stop Gomeo Brennan. Many experts felt that Rondon could and would defeat Bob Foster.

Rondon flopped badly against Foster in 1972; being destroyed in 2 rounds. A venture into the heavyweight ranks proved just as bad, as he was beaten by Ernie Shavers, Ron Lyle and Jose Urtain.

Rondon did better in 1973 as he started to trim down in weight. He looked highly skilled and impressive by scoring a 10 round decision over undefeated prospect Oliver Wright on Miami Beach. Shortly after he stopped heavyweight Mike "Jim" Boswel in 4 rounds.

Sadly, Rondon's private life was full of demons. He was developing a drinking problem and spending money like it was going out of style. An attempt to regain the light heavyweight title, saw him drop a decision to number 1 rated Len Hutchins, and then suffer a 9th round technical knockout to John Conteh.

In 1974, Rondon, weighing 188 pounds, went back to the heavyweight division, where he would be largely unsuccessful. He was unable to get off the stool for round three in his fight with Rodney Bobick at Miami Beach, Florida. In his next fight he was knocked out in 2 rounds by former world heavyweight title contender Joe "King" Roman.

Life After Boxing

Shortly thereafter Rondon's career hit the skids and so did he. He was confined to a mental hospital, and later arrested on charges of robbing a store for $150 dollars. Rondon served a prison sentence, and there are unconfirmed reports that he boxed some exhibitions or possibility a professional match.

Rondon was released from prison a physical wreck. Vicente Paul Rondon, the boxing idol of his country, died forgotten, broke and in poverty in Santa Ana de Carapita, a slum of Caracas. Rondon had been living with his elderly mother at the time. He was 54 when he died.

Sources

*"Ring Boxing Record Book" 1975.
*"Miami Herald", February 20, 1974, Sports.
*Fight Program: JOE KING ROMAN VS LEVI FORTE, March 17, 1977, War Memorial Auditorium, Tastee Concerts Sports(James P. Keough, promotor, Rocky Golio, matchmaker, John Ferero, coordinator)-Promotion, Robert L. Agree and VFW Post No. 1966, page 3: Joe King Roman Bio: "Fought LHVY Champion Vincente Rondon(1975), won by knockout in 10 rounds.
*"Ring Magazine", June 1971, pages 30,59: RONDON STOPS DUPREE BUT THE RING STILL BACKS FOSTER, by Randy Gallagher.

External links

* [http://www.boxeomania.com/files/boxeadores/vicente.htm Brief Biography]

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