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Paulino Uzcudun

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Uzcudun and the second or maternal family name is Eizmendi.
Paulino Uzcudun
Born(1899-05-03)3 May 1899
Errezil, Guipuzcoa
Basque Country
Spain
Died5 July 1985(1985-07-05) (aged 86)
NationalitySpanish
Other namesBasque Woodchopper
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights69
Wins49
Wins by KO33
Losses17
Draws3

Paulino Uzcudun Eizmendi (3 May 1899 – 5 July 1985) was a Basque Spanish heavyweight boxer, who is considered to be the greatest heavyweight from Spain. Uzkudun is the Basque spelling of his last name. He was the youngest of nine 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 (three times) and Primo Carnera (twice) during his career. The former butcher—nicknamed "the Basque woodchopper"—retired from boxing with a record of 49 wins (33 KOs), 17 losses and 3 draws.

Life & career

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Uzcudun was a rugged boxer with a crouched stance. He had a powerful left hook, and fought the toughest heavyweights of his time. He had only one opportunity at the world's heavyweight championship, but was defeated in a fifteen-round fight by Primo Carnera of Italy on October 22, 1933. Trainer Whitey Bimstein accompanied Uzcudun to the bout in Barcelona, Spain. Later in life, Bimstein gave an account in interview, of a scene more reminiscent of the cinema: "I remember one day we were at a sidewalk cafe. Just as I started to put my lips to a glass of vermouth a shot splintered the glass. Believe me, I got back to the hotel in nothing flat..." Much more grim was his description of the Civil War in Spain beyond such high drama: "It was nothing to walk along the streets covered with hundreds of dead, and you couldn't tell when the fighting would break out anew." Against this chaotic backdrop, Uzcudun's chance at the title took place.

Shortly before the fight, Carnera balked at the Spanish-made gloves chosen by the governing boxing commission. The champion, who had insisted upon American gloves, stated loudly and in Spanish that he would not fight. The commissioner, according to Bimstein, removed himself from the room, and "about a dozen soldiers walked toward Carnera." The champion "backed up hurriedly" and conceded the choice. As for the actual fight, Uzcudun went the 15 scheduled rounds and well enough, that "when the verdict was announced, the revolution started all over again." A riot, which included gunfire, commenced. Uzcudun, Bimstein, the other seconds and as many as "three hundred others" took refuge under the massive ring, until troops restored order—even with this, citizenry "continued rioting in the streets all night...." It was unfortunate for Uzcudun, whom Bimstein said "was the finest character among the fighters I ever met, square as they make 'em, game and tough, and in his prime a match for any of 'em."[1]

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 KO'd 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 causing the referee to stop the fight even though Uzcudun wanted to continue. His record was 49–17–3 with 33 knockouts.

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 incident led to his subsequent retirement having been demoralized by this incident. In 1936, Uzcudun fought on the Nationalist (pro-Franco) side during the Spanish Civil War reportedly from the first day of the conflict as a member of the Falange Española de las JONS.[2]

Professional boxing record

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All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[3] unless otherwise stated.

69 fights 49 wins 17 losses
By knockout 33 1
By decision 16 14
By disqualification 0 2
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
69 Loss 49–17–3 Joe Louis TKO 4 (15), 2:32 Dec 13, 1935 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
68 Loss 49–16–3 Max Schmeling PTS 12 Jul 7, 1935 Poststadion, Moabit, Germany
67 Draw 49–15–3 Max Schmeling MD 12 May 13, 1934 Estadio Olímpico de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain On December 3, 1934, Uzcudun was stripped of the Spanish Heavyweight Championship for refusing to defend it against Isidoro Gastañaga.
66 Loss 49–15–2 Primo Carnera UD 15 Oct 22, 1933 Piazza di Siena, Rome, Italy The EBU European and IBU World Heavyweight Championships were at stake.
65 Win 49–14–2 Don McCorkindale PTS 10 Jul 1, 1933 La Monumental, Barcelona, Spain
64 Win 48–14–2 Pierre Charles SD 15 May 13, 1933 Las Ventas, Madrid, Spain The EBU European Heavyweight Championship was at stake.
63 Win 47–14–2 Hans Schönrath PTS 10 Apr 16, 1933 Frontón Betis, Seville, Spain
62 Win 46–14–2 Ernst Guehring KO 2 (10) Mar 18, 1933 Plaza de Toros de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
61 Win 45–14–2 Salvatore Ruggirello PTS 10 Feb 3, 1933 Frontón Jai-Alai, Madrid, Spain
60 Win 44–14–2 Giacomo Bergomas KO 1 (10) Jan 24, 1933 Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
59 Loss 43–14–2 Ernie Schaaf PTS 15 Jul 25, 1932 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York, U.S.
58 Loss 43–13–2 Mickey Walker UD 10 May 26, 1932 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
57 Win 43–12–2 Jack Gagnon KO 7 (10) Apr 4, 1932 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
56 Loss 42–12–2 King Levinsky MD 10 Jan 15, 1932 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
55 Loss 42–11–2 Tommy Loughran SD 10 Nov 13, 1931 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
54 Win 42–10–2 Max Baer PTS 20 Jul 4, 1931 Race Track Arena, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
53 Win 41–10–2 Les Kennedy TKO 4 (10), 2:10 Mar 10, 1931 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
52 Loss 40–10–2 Primo Carnera SD 10 Nov 30, 1930 Estadio Olímpico de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain
51 Win 40–9–2 Maurice Griselle TKO 5 (10) Oct 18, 1930 Vélodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France
50 Loss 39–9–2 Johnny Risko PTS 10 Jun 19, 1930 Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
49 Win 39–8–2 Otto von Porat PTS 10 Jan 10, 1930 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
48 Loss 38–8–2 Tully Griffiths MD 10 Nov 29, 1929 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
47 Loss 38–7–2 Max Schmeling PTS 15 Jun 27, 1929 Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
46 Win 38–6–2 Francisco Cruz Coelho KO 1 (10), 1:29 Mar 24, 1929 San Juan Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
45 Win 37–6–2 KO Christner PTS 10 Feb 22, 1929 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S. A month before this fight, Uzcudun was stripped of the EBU European Heavyweight Championship for failing to defend it.
44 Win 36–6–2 Jack Renault UD 10 Dec 25, 1928 Estadio Versailles, Cali, Colombia The Colombian Heavyweight Championship was at stake.
43 Win 35–6–2 Bill Hartwell PTS 10 Dec 3, 1928 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
42 Win 34–6–2 Otto von Porat PTS 10 Nov 11, 1928 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
41 Loss 33–6–2 Big Boy Peterson DQ 2 (10) Oct 19, 1928 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Uzcudun was DQ'd for hitting Peterson while he was unconscious.
Peterson was a late replacement for the injured Roberto Roberti.
40 Win 33–5–2 Ludwig Haymann KO 11 (12) Jul 7, 1928 Plaza de Toros del Chofre, San Sebastián, Spain The EBU European Heavyweight Championship was at stake.
39 Loss 32–5–2 George Godfrey PTS 10 Feb 28, 1928 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
38 Win 32–4–2 Quintín Romero Rojas KO 3 (15) Jan 29, 1928 Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico
37 Win 31–4–2 Ed Keeley TKO 2 (10), 2:50 Jan 16, 1928 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
36 Win 30–4–2 Pat Lester TKO 7 (10) Jan 2, 1928 Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
35 Loss 29–4–2 Johnny Risko PTS 10 Nov 25, 1927 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
34 Draw 29–3–2 Tom Heeney PTS 15 Sep 8, 1927 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
33 Loss 29–3–1 Jack Delaney DQ 7 (10), 1:57 Aug 11, 1927 Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
32 Win 29–2–1 Harry Wills KO 4 (15), 1:27 Jul 13, 1927 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
31 Win 28–2–1 Tom Heeney PTS 10 Apr 1, 1927 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
30 Win 27–2–1 Knute Hansen PTS 10 Feb 25, 1927 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
29 Win 26–2–1 Homer Smith TKO 7 (10) Jan 21, 1927 Benjamin Field Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
28 Win 25–2–1 Antolín Fierro KO 1 (10) Jan 15, 1927 Nuevo Frontón, Havana, Cuba
27 Win 24–2–1 Martin O'Grady KO 1 (12) Jan 1, 1927 Almendares Park, Havana, Cuba
26 Win 23–2–1 Erminio Spalla PTS 12 May 18, 1926 La Monumental, Barcelona, Spain The EBU European Heavyweight Championship was at stake.
25 Win 22–2–1 Harry Drake KO 1 (10), 1:25 Mar 23, 1926 Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
24 Draw 21–2–1 Franz Diener PTS 10 Feb 12, 1926 Kaiserdamm Arena, Berlin, Germany
23 Win 21–2 Soldier Jones KO 1 (12) Feb 9, 1926 Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
22 Win 20–2 Constant Barrick TKO 4 (10) Jan 29, 1926 Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
21 Win 19–2 Hans Breitenstraeter KO 9 (10) Dec 1, 1925 Berlin Sportpalast, Berlin, Germany
20 Win 18–2 Marcel Nilles KO 3 (10) Nov 7, 1925 Vélodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France
19 Win 17–2 Constant Barrick TKO 6 (12) Oct 16, 1925 Circo Price, Madrid, Spain
18 Win 16–2 Fernand Delarge TKO 1 (10) Oct 10, 1925 Plaza de toros de las Arenas, Barcelona, Spain
17 Win 15–2 Phil Scott KO 6 (12) Sep 6, 1925 Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre, Bilbao, Spain Scott let himself be counted out, claiming he had been hit low.
16 Win 14–2 Jack Humbeeck PTS 12 Jul 11, 1925 Plaza de Toros de Goya, Madrid, Spain
15 Win 13–2 Fernand Delarge PTS 12 Jun 7, 1925 Arènes d'Eckmühl, Oran, France (present-day Algeria)
14 Win 12–2 Jack Humbeeck TKO 4 (10) Dec 20, 1924 Vélodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France
13 Win 11–2 Louis Piochelle KO 2 (10) Oct 5, 1924 Stade Municipal, Algiers, France (present-day Algeria)
12 Win 10–2 Frank Goddard TKO 6 (10) Sep 7, 1924 Arènes de Bayonne, Bayonne, France
11 Loss 9–2 George Cook PTS 15 Jul 29, 1924 Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
10 Loss 9–1 George Cook PTS 10 Jul 3, 1924 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
9 Win 9–0 Jose Teixidor KO 3 (10) Jun 14, 1924 Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
8 Win 8–0 Arthur Townley KO 1 (10) Jun 1, 1924 Stade Buffalo, Montrouge, France
7 Win 7–0 Marcel Nilles KO 5 (12) May 17, 1924 Plaza de toros de las Arenas, Barcelona, Spain
6 Win 6–0 Paul Journee KO 1 (10), 1:30 May 11, 1924 Estadio Municipal de Atocha, San Sebastián, Spain
5 Win 5–0 Laurent Mahieu KO 1 (10) Apr 19, 1924 Frontón Euskalduna, Bilbao, Spain
4 Win 4–0 Alex Touroff KO 2 (10) Apr 4, 1924 Circo Americano, Madrid, Spain
3 Win 3–0 Herman Sjouwerman TKO 5 (10) Jan 2, 1924 Salle Wagram, Paris, France
2 Win 2–0 Paul Journee PTS 10 Sep 26, 1923 Salle Wagram, Paris, France
1 Win 1–0 Alex Touroff KO 3 (10) Sep 16, 1923 Stade Anastasie, Paris, France Professional debut

References

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  1. ^ Fried, Ronald K. (1991). Corner Men (First Edition, 1st printing ed.). New York, NY: Four Walls Eight Windows. pp. 208–209. ISBN 0-941423-48-4.
  2. ^ Navascués, Javier (July 6, 2020). "Paulino Uzcudun: español, vasco, falangista y con bemoles".
  3. ^ "BoxRec: Paulino Uzcudun". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
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