“Ratón” Macias passed away 11 years ago

Raul “Raton” Macias, passed away 11  years ago, but he’s forever revered as a Mexican boxing icon and one of the most beloved fighters this country has ever known, and will ever known.

Raul was born in the challenging down to earth neighbourhood of Tepito and developing  excellent boxing skills.  He reached the heights yet always and simultaneously conserving his humble and kindly personality. When he passed away Tepito’s  streets were thronged with tens of thousands of people who came to pay their respects, honouring the great man, festooning its highways with hundreds upon hundreds of wreaths and floral tributes.  That said it all!

Raul possessed amazing speed that allowed him to land lightning fast and hard combinations. He remained undefeated in his first 19 contests, but he  also  had an impressive charisma that made him a crowd pleaser and man of the people, as well as a world beater.

A natural bantamweight  at  1.61 meters tall,  Raul was active as pro for 10 years, crafting a brilliant record of  41-2-0, with 25 knockouts.

Raul earned and won the affection of the people, both inside and outside the ring, as he led memorable battles that enthralled the country, so much so that Mexico came to a standstill whenever he fought.  Before the era of mainstream television he packed out stadiums with more than 50,000 at a time.

Raul retired at 28 years old, having achieved glory with important achievements such as representing Mexico in the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, winning the National Championship, plus conquering the North American Championship and the World Championship. These fantastic feats  positioned and secured him a very special place in the hearts of the Mexican public forever.

A faithful believer of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the boxer thanked Her after each triumph with a walk from the Roundabout of Peralvillo to the Basilica of Guadalupe, in addition to his popular phrase: “I owe everything to my manager and the Virgin of Guadalupe.”

The World Boxing Council remembers with great affection the magnificent Raul “Raton” Macias, who maintained a close friendship with  its Life President Jose Sulaiman. The two great friends and others breakfasted every Saturday for many years,  and the Genova Street Offices of the WBC were adorned with a huge photo of Raul at his supreme fighting zenith! Immaculately attired, handsome, kind and affable, Raul was boxing royalty.  Boxing at its supreme best.