Paulino Uzcudun

Paulino Uzcudun Eizmendi (born in the town of Errezil, province of Gipuzkoa, Spain ,May 3, 1899 – died July 5, 1985) was a Basque heavyweight boxer, who is considered to be the greatest heavyweight from Spain. Uzkudun is another variation on the spelling of his last name. He was the youngest of 9 siblings. In his youth, he became an Aizkolari or traditional competitive Basque wood chopper. Uzcudun, known as "Paulino" in the United States, was the European heavyweight champion, and he fought heavyweight champions Joe Louis, Max Baer, Max Schmeling (thrice) and Primo Carnera during his career. The former butcher – named 'the Basque woodchopper' – retired from boxing with a record of 50 wins (34KOs), 17 losses and 3 draws.

Uzcudun was a very rugged boxer who fought out of a crouch. He had a powerful left hook, and fought the toughest heavyweights of his time. He was afforded only one opportunity at the world's heavyweight championship, but was outpointed in a fifteen round fight by Primo Carnera of Italy on October 22, 1933.

Uzcudun also "retired" the famed Harry Wills, when he stopped him in four rounds on July 13, 1927. The tough and durable Uzcudun was never knocked off his feet, or kayoed until his last professional fight. On December 13, 1935, Uzcudun made the mistake of coming out of retirement to meet Joe Louis. In the fourth round, Louis hit Uzcudun with a swift, powerful right uppercut that knocked him down and referee stop the fight when Paulino wanted back.

In 1933-34, Uzcudun trained on the beach in Rocky Point, Long Island, New York. During a sparring session with Franklin Rosalia (1911-1972), who also summered in Rocky Point, Uzcudun received a punch that knocked him down flat. Some conjecture that this defeat led to his subsequent retirement having been demoralized by this incident.