Vicente Rondon
Encyclopedia
Vicente Paúl Rondón was a former WBA
light heavyweight
boxing
world champion.
, Miranda
, Venezuela
, and decided to escape his poor surroundings by enlisting in the Venezuelan military at an early age.
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 did not 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 stoppage, 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 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 two 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 four 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 two rounds by former world heavyweight title contender Joe "King" Roman.
. Rondon had been living with his elderly mother at the time. He was 54 when he died.
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
light heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
world champion.
Personal background
Rondon was born in extreme poverty in Río ChicoRío Chico
Río Chico is a city in the state of Miranda, Venezuela. It is the capital of Páez Municipality....
, Miranda
Miranda (state)
Miranda State is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. It is ranked second in population among Venezuelan states, after Zulia State. In June 30, 2010, it had approximately 2,987,968 residents. It also has the greatest Human Development Index in Venezuela, according to the...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, and decided to escape his poor surroundings by enlisting in the Venezuelan military at an early age.
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 RodriguezLuis Rodriguez
Luis Rodriguez may refer to:*Luis Rodríguez , baseball player from Venezuela*Luis Rodríguez , Puerto Rican volleyball player*Luis J. Rodriguez , U.S...
and middleweight contender Bennie Briscoe
Bennie Briscoe
"Bad" Bennie Briscoe was the quintessential Philadelphia boxer."Bad" Bennie fought from 1962 to 1982, and retired with a career record of 66 wins 24 losses and 5 draws. Briscoe was a top-rated Middleweight contender during the 1970s, unsuccessfully challenging for the World Title on three...
. 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 did not 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 stoppage, 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
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
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
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
recognized Rondon as world champion, while 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 two rounds. A venture into the heavyweight ranks proved just as bad, as he was beaten by Ernie Shavers, Ron Lyle
Ron Lyle
Ron Lyle was an American professional boxer in the heavyweight division. He is considered to have been one of the best contenders of his era. He was a crowd-pleasing power puncher.-Early life:...
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
Oliver Wright
Sir John Oliver Wright, GCMG, GCVO, DSC was a British diplomat.- Early life :Wright was born on 6 March 1921. He was educated at Solihull School and later Christ's College, Cambridge although his studies were interrupted by World War II. He served in the Royal Naval Reserve and was awarded the...
on Miami Beach. Shortly after he stopped heavyweight Mike "Jim" Boswel in four 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
John Conteh
John Conteh is a British former boxer who was world light-heavyweight boxing champion.Conteh is one of Britain's most successful boxing champions. At his peak in the mid to late 1970s he was considered good enough that he was touted as a possible opponent of Muhammad Ali...
. 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
Rodney Bobick
Rodney Bobick, alias The Bowlus Bear , was a heavyweight professional boxer from Minnesota.-Personal life:The younger brother of heavyweight contender Duane Bobick, Rodney hailed from tiny Bowlus, Minnesota...
at Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
. In his next fight he was knocked out in two 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 CaracasCaracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
. Rondon had been living with his elderly mother at the time. He was 54 when he died.