The wit brilliance and humour of Chango Carmona
As part of the series THE INTERVIEW I NEVER HAD , former WBC lightweight champion Erubey “Chango” Carmona popped into the WBC Offices in LA, for a chat with Pepe Sulaiman about the old times, the good times, the now times and the appreciably improved opportunities that boxing, via his efforts gave him.
Literally a rags to riches story, because Chango`s heavy bag for training was a corn sack, which he filled with rags, some of which he wrapped around his hands. And thanks to the father of a friend, who bought him some gloves, he was able to embark upon his destiny. Before the limelight: “We fought at night, under the moonlight.”
Shy and not so well coordinated on the dance floor as in the ring, Chango didn`t tango, waltz or rock and roll very much. He went to a wedding, and no one danced with him! He returned home crying and complaining to God. But then, he cheered himself, by going to see a film starring Chango Casanova entitled: “Champion without a crown.”
Our Chango didn`t drink or smoke and was fast on his feet with quick hands. He was matched against Guerrero State Champion Pajarito Galeana and knocked him out of the ring. They asked Pajarito if he wanted to fight on, and he said NO. Then they declared Pajarito the winner?!
Chango used the money from two wins to buy his ticket to Mexico City so he could gain better purses. He recalls: “Back then I was hungry. I wanted to achieve many things.”
He was able to build a house and buy a car but remained the same person with the same friends. It was he who started the Mexican tradition of fighting on Independence Day. The actual date of his fight to win the WBC title was a day earlier on September 15th 1972. He stopped Mando Ramos in the eighth round at the Memorial Coliseum in LA. Mando spent ten days in hospital and Chango was with him constantly by his bedside, before the two of them returned to Mexico City.
Chango is married to beautiful “Blondie.” They have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Almost seventy-eight…and as they say, approaching it from the wrong side as we all do, Chango is still spry, sharp as a tack, with a sparkling sense of humour. Asked if boxers are stronger today than they were back then he aptly, drily and succinctly replies that if you want it… you go for it. Ambition and persistence are the unchanging keys when opportunity knocks.
He`s glad that he will never again be dosed with caster oil, every other day to lose weight. He plainly says that fifteen rounds were MURDER and twelve rounds are much better. Now, he`s keen to get back to training reflecting: “I`m soon going to be seventy-eight and I feel strong. What the hell….I still can!”
An extraordinary man. Hearing is melody but seeing is believing.
For the whole treat go to:
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