Nino Valdez (December 5, 1924 - June 3, 2001) was the Cuban heavyweight boxing champion in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a top contender for the heavyweight title during this time, although he never received a shot due to his mixed results in the ring.

After a string of four losses to notable fighters such as Harold Johnson

Harold Johnson (boxer)

Harold Johnson , is a former professional boxer.Johnson was born in Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He won his first twenty-four fights before losing a ten round decision to Archie Moore, who would be Johnson's biggest career rival...

, Archie Moore

Archie Moore

Archie Moore, born Archibald Lee Wright , was light heavyweight world boxing champion who had one of the longest professional careers in the history of that sport....

, and Bob Baker in 1952 and 1953, he went undefeated in an impressive run of 11 consecutive victories which saw him defeat Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former world heavyweight champion. He holds wins over numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles retired with a record of 93 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw.-Career:He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia,...

 and Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson

Tommy Hurricane Jackson

Thomas "Hurricane" Jackson was a professional boxer from 1951 to 1961. He was trained and managed by Whitey Bimstein....

. However, the streak came to an end when he lost a rematch to Moore by a fifteen-round unanimous decision on May 2, 1955. He lost another fight to Bob Satterfield

Bob Satterfield

Bob "Bombardier" Satterfield , was a heavyweight boxer who fought from 1945-1957. Satterfield, who never fought for the title, retired with a record of 50 wins , 25 losses and 4 draws. He is in Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time at number 58...

 three months later. After beating former title contender Don Cockell

Don Cockell

Donald John Cockell was an English boxer. He fought for most of his career as a light-heavyweight and became the British and European champion at that weight. Later in his career he moved up to heavyweight and held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles...

, he lost a ten round unanimous decision to Bob Baker on December 7, 1955, costing him a potential title bout against Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...

.

He continued boxing, losing to heavyweight contenders Zora Folley

Zora Folley

Zora Folley was an American heavyweight boxer. He was well skilled with a good defence and also a punch to go with it....

, Eddie Machen

Eddie Machen

Edward Mills Machen was born in Redding, California, on June 15, 1932. Machen was a convict turned boxer. His 64-bout career began on March 22, 1955, and he went on to win his first 24 bouts....

, and Sonny Liston

Sonny Liston

Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxer and ex-convict known for his toughness, punching power, and intimidating appearance who became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round...

. After defeating contender Brian London

Brian London

Brian London, born Brian Sidney Harper, 19 June 1934, in West Hartlepool, is a retired English heavyweight boxer. He was British and Commonwealth Heavyweight champion from 1958 to 1959, and had two world heavyweight title fights...

 in December 1959, Valdez retired due to eye problems.

After retirement, he worked as a security guard and a bouncer.

External links