For Immediate Release: Hall of Fame Boxer and 1968 U.S. Olympian – Armando “The Man” Muniz – to be Honored by the City of Montebello
Hall of Fame Boxer and 1968 U.S. Olympian, Armando “El Hombre” Muniz, will be honored by the City of Montebello, California on Wednesday, July 25th @ 6:30 pm, in the Council Chambers at the Montebello City Hall, during its regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, in a resolution set forth by Mayor Pro Tem, Jack Hadjinian:
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1600 WEST BEVERLY BOULEVARD
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018
Armando is available for interview immediately after the City Council honors him or before @ Golden Skewer Mediterranean Restaurant @ 4:30 pm:
2212 W Beverly Blvd,
Montebello, CA 90640
Armando “The Man” Muniz, is known in boxing circles as “The People’s Champ”, a sentiment widely shared as Armando, in 1975, traveled to Acapulco, Mexico to fight the legendary Welterweight Champion, Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles, and although battering Napoles the entire fight and the referee stopping the fight to spare Napoles further punishment, would raise Napoles’ hand in victory, after being called to the corner by WBC President, Jose Sulaiman, who ordered him to declare Napoles the victor, to the benefit of Napoles and the World Boxing Council. The disgraceful outcome would be known as the “greatest robbery in boxing history” and Muniz would be known thereafter as the “People’s Champ”.
Muniz, a member of the 1968 Olympic Boxing Team and NABF Welterweight Champion, would fight for the world title 4 times; his last fight was a loss to legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
Armando Muniz is one of the few professional boxers in history to also have earned a college degree. Armando is a graduate of UCLA and would later earn his teaching credential, finally retiring from teaching in the Jurupa Valley School District after many years of public service.
Nearly 15 years ago, Armando founded the Jurupa Valley Boxing Club in Rubidoux, California, to allow at-risk youth and community residents at-large, the opportunity to learn the art and skills of boxing.
Armando Muniz’ life after boxing included cameo roles in the hit ABC sitcom “Taxi” – role in the 1988 feature film “Midnight Run”, as well as spokesperson roles for Schlitz and Stroh’s Brewing Companies.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Armando was raised in Montebello, California and attended it’s primary, elementary and junior high schools there, while earning a reputation as a world-class boxer and Olympic hopeful.
In 1968, Armando Muniz would be a teammate of the legendary George Foreman in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, representing the United States Army.
A legendary figure at the storied Olympic Audtorium, Armando is known for being an East Los Angeles fan favorite and boxing legend.
Muniz was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic boxing team.
Summary of Armando Muniz’s Professional Career
In November 1971, Muniz knocked out title contender Clyde Gray (29-1) to capture the NABFWelterweight Championship. The bout was held at the Auditorium in Long Beach, California.[1]
Muniz made the last defense of his title in 1972 when he knocked out the favored Adolph Pruitt in eight sizzling rounds.
Muniz, one of the most popular fighters ever from Southern California, fought twenty three times at the historic Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.
Robbed of the Welterweight Title
In 1975, Muniz traveled to Acapulco, Mexico to challenge welterweight kingpin Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles.
A 6-1 underdog at the opening bell, Muniz pounded on Napoles for 12 rounds. With the champion bleeding from both eyes, referee Ramon Berumen, after concurring with the WBC officials at ringside, raised the arm of Napoles.
Most boxing experts have referred to the Napoles “victory” as one of the worst robberies in boxing history.
Muniz was cited as the “uncrowned” champion until Napoles defeated him in a rematch.
Muniz made two more unsuccessful attempts at the title in 1977, losing to Carlos Palomino. He retired in 1978.
Muniz, also a husband, father and business professional is one of the few former boxers who is also a college graduate.
Armando, who attended UCLA, taught at Rubidoux High School in Riverside, California for more than twenty years.
Loss 16-0 United States Sugar Ray Leonard RTD 6 09/12/1978 Massachusetts Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 26-1-3 United States Carlos Palomino UD 15 27/05/1978 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States WBC World Welterweight Title. 141-148, 139-148, 142-145.
Win 36-1-1 United States Pete Ranzany TKO 6 13/12/1977 California Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 7-9-1 Mexico Jose Palacios SD 10 06/08/1977 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States 94-95, 93-97, 96-95.
Win 13-18 Mexico Ruben Vazquez Zamora KO 8 17/06/1977 Texas El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, United States
Win 19-5-1 Mexico Zovek Barajas TKO 4 02/06/1977 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 2-3 Mexico Antonio Leyva KO 1 20/03/1977 Nevada Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Leyva knocked out at 0:30 of the first round.
Loss 20-1-3 United States Carlos Palomino TKO 15 21/01/1977 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States WBC World Welterweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:24 of the 15th round.
Win 46-9-1 United States Jimmy Heair UD 12 17/06/1976 Texas Dudley Field, El Paso, Texas, United States United States Welterweight Title.
Win 3-2-1 Mexico Abel Cordoba SD 10 08/05/1976 California Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, United States
Win 43-28-9 Argentina Ruben Arocha TKO 5 11/04/1976 Mexico Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Win 13-15 Mexico Ruben Vazquez Zamora TKO 7 04/10/1975 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 80-6 Cuba Jose Napoles UD 15 12/07/1975 Mexico Mexico City, Mexico WBC World Welterweight Title. 142-149, 139-149, 142-148.
Loss 79-6 Cuba Jose Napoles TD 12 30/03/1975 Mexico Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico WBC/WBA World Welterweight Titles.
Win 51-5 United States Hedgemon Lewis UD 10 03/12/1974 California Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, United States 6-4, 5-4, 6-1.
Win 24-9 United States Johnny “Starship Trooper” Rico SD 10 07/09/1974 Arizona Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States 95-98, 98-95, 100-95.
Loss 30-6-4 Puerto Rico Angel Espada PTS 10 29/07/1974 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
Win 16-6-2 United States Billy “Councillor” Lloyd KO 1 29/06/1974 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Lloyd knocked out at 2:24 of the first round.
Win 13-10 United States Roy Barrientos PTS 10 03/06/1974 Canada Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss 30-11 Mexico Marcos Geraldo MD 10 18/04/1974 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States 5-5, 5-2, 5-4.
Loss 71-16-2 United States Eddie Perkins UD 12 22/03/1974 Arizona Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States NABF Welterweight Title. 113-120, 114-118, 112-118.
Win 14-4-1 United States Walter “Sharpshooter” Charles KO 3 08/03/1974 California San Diego, California, United States Charles knocked out at 1:29 of the third round.
Win 45-4-1 United States Dave Oropeza KO 3 26/01/1974 Arizona Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win 12-9-3 United States Jose “The Rights” Miranda UD 10 08/11/1973 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States 7-2, 5-4, 5-3.
Loss 14-2 Mexico Zovek Barajas MD 10 11/10/1973 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States 4-5, 4-5, 4-4.
Win 3-1-1 Mexico Antonio Roldan TKO 2 06/09/1973 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:24 of the second round.
Win 48-10-1 United States Ernie Lopez TKO 7 26/07/1973 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 16-6-1 United States Thurman Durden KO 2 07/06/1973 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Durden knocked out at 0:30 of the second round.
Win 59-27-6 United States Manuel “Dr. Wagner” Gonzalez MD 10 04/05/1973 Arizona Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States 98-95, 98-95, 97-97.
Win 27-4-1 United States Frank Kolovrat TKO 4 09/03/1973 Arizona Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States
Loss 67-16-2 United States Eddie Perkins SD 12 30/01/1973 Colorado Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado, United States NABF Welterweight Title. 53-59, 56-55, 52-58.
Win 44-11-2 United States Adolph Pruitt TKO 8 02/12/1972 California Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, United States NABF Welterweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:01 of the eighth round.
Loss 9-4-3 United States Jose Martin Flores UD 10 15/11/1972 Nevada Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 44-47, 42-49, 44-48.
Win 8-13-5 United States Eltefat Talebi MD 10 24/10/1972 California Valley Music Theater, Woodland Hills, California, United States
Win 47-28 United States Percy Pugh KO 2 11/09/1972 California Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, United States NABF Welterweight Title.
Win 10-7 Mexico Ruben Vazquez Zamora UD 12 31/07/1972 California Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, United States NABF Welterweight Title.
Win 9-4 United States Prince Jimmy Hamm TKO 2 10/07/1972 California Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:11 of the second round.
Win 13-13-1 United States Cassius Greene TKO 6 19/06/1972 California Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:41 of the sixth round.
Loss 53-23-1 Mexico Raul Soriano MD 10 22/05/1972 California Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, United States 5-5, 3-6, 3-6.
Win 3-4 Mexico Mario Olmedo TKO 1 25/03/1972 Colorado Denver, Colorado, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:12 of the first round.
Win 43-45-4 Ghana Peter Cobblah UD 10 18/03/1972 California Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Long Beach, California, United States 8-1, 7-1, 6-2.
Loss 71-12 United States Virgin Islands Emile Griffith UD 10 31/01/1972 California Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, United States 3-7, 1-9, 1-9.
Win 29-1-1 Canada Clyde Gray KO 9 19/11/1971 California Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Long Beach, California, United States NABF Welterweight Title. Gray knocked out at 1:43 of the ninth round.
Win 30-2 United States Gil “Knockout” King TKO 5 14/08/1971 California Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 3:00 of the fifth round.
Win 84-18-3 Mexico Chucho Garcia MD 10 17/07/1971 California Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States 5-3, 6-3, 4-4.
Win 5-6 Mexico Mario Marquez KO 3 19/06/1971 California Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States Marquez knocked out at 1:41 of the third round.
Draw 36-4 United States Oscar Albarado PTS 10 06/05/1971 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States 3-5, 5-4, 4-4.
Win 13-12-2 United States Cipriano Hernandez UD 10 18/03/1971 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States 9-2, 7-2, 7-3.
Win 26-9-2 United States Mike Seyler TKO 3 12/02/1971 California Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the third round.
Win 11-1 United States James Caffey TKO 7 07/01/1971 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:01 of the seventh round.
Win — Jose Carreon KO 1 10/12/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Carreon knocked out at 2:36 of the first round.
Win 6-4 United States Crispen Benitez KO 2 12/11/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Benitez knocked out at 1:22 of the second round.
Win 3-0 United States Victor Manuel Basilio TKO 4 08/10/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:25 of the fourth round.
Win 10-2-1 United States Walter “Sharpshooter” Charles PTS 6 26/09/1970 California Valley Music Theater, Woodland Hills, California, United States
Win 7-1 United States Bobby ‘Boogaloo’ Watts PTS 6 03/09/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 2-3 Mexico Jose “Orange” Valencia KO 2 20/08/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Valencia knocked out at 2:38 of the second round.
Win 1-7-1 Japan Takuji Iwase KO 2 06/08/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Iwase knocked out at 2:40 of the second round.
Win 1-1 United States Eltefat Talebi TKO 1 23/07/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:46 of the first round.
Win 6-6-1 United States “Cuppa” Joe Adams TKO 3 16/07/1970 California Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
References
Boxers from Chihuahua (state), People from Chihuahua City, Welterweight boxers, 1935 births Living people, Mexican male boxers, Mexican emigrants to the United States, Boxers at the 1968 Summer Olympics, Olympic boxers of the United States
