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José Roman (boxer)

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Jose Roman
Born
Jose Roman

(1946-12-17) December 17, 1946 (age 77)
NationalityPuerto Rican
Other namesKing
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights85
Wins53
Wins by KO27
Losses27
Draws4
No contests1

José "King" Roman (born December 17, 1946) is a Puerto Rican former boxer who was Puerto Rico's first world heavyweight championship challenger. He is known as "Joe King Roman."[1] He holds notable victories over Manuel Ramos and ex-Light Heavyweight champion Vicente Rondon.

Pro career

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In Roman's early career, he achieved mixed results. He defeated people like Jack O'Halloran and Chuck Wepner but lost to Jack Bodell. After the Bodell loss, Roman had a win-streak, defeating O'Halloran once again and besting Manuel Ramos. He lost to Robie Harris but put together a streak of wins before fighting George Foreman.

Foreman Fight

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In late August 1973, he travelled to Tokyo, Japan, to challenge world Heavyweight champion George Foreman, losing by a knockout in the first round on September 1. Roman's corner protested that Foreman hit him while Roman was down, although no action was taken on this complaint. Photos exist that seem to corroborate Roman's corner's version of events.[2] Even though he lost, he made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican to challenge for the world's Heavyweight championship. The only fellow Puerto Ricans to challenge for the heavyweight championship are Ossie Ocasio, Fres Oquendo and John Ruiz, who later became the first Latino to hold a version of the heavyweight championship.[3]

Afterwards

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Roman held a win over former WBA world Light Heavyweight champion Vicente Rondon just after the Foreman fight, his first win afterwards. In 1975 he lost to Mike Quarry and later in the year he began a series of losses. He lost seven times, notably losing to Jimmy Young. Roman was defeated by Boone Kirkman afterwards, in 1977, but never achieved a notable fight afterwards, having a mixed record.

Retirement

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Roman retired in 1981 with a record of 54 wins, 27 losses and 4 draws, with 27 knockout wins. He used to work at a Sweetbay Supermarket in Tampa, Florida. Ossie Ocasio and Fres Oquendo also challenged for the world's heavyweight championship, both are also from Puerto Rico. Ruiz was born in the USA of Puerto Rican ancestry.[4]

Professional boxing record

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86 fights 54 wins 27 losses
By knockout 27 11
By decision 27 16
Draws 4
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
87 Loss 54–27–4 (1) United States Tony Severance KO 5 March 19, 1981 United States Tampa, Florida
86 Loss 54–26–4 (1) Italy Alfio Righetti KO 2 November 10, 1978 Italy Milan, Lombardy
85 Loss 54–25–4 (1) United States Glenn Morgan TKO 7 August 10, 1978 United States Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida
82 Loss 54–24–4 (1) United States Ibar Arrington TKO 8 June 20, 1978 United States Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington
81 Win 54–23–4 (1) Canada George Jerome TKO 8 May 23, 1978 United States Bellingham, Washington
80 Loss 53–23–4 (1) United States Walter E. Moore, Jr. UD 10 April 28, 1978 United States International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois
79 Draw 53–22–4 (1) United States Levi Forte PTS 10 March 17, 1978 United States War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
78 Loss 53–22–3 (1) The Bahamas Bobby Lloyd UD 15 January 19, 1978 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida For Florida Heavyweight Title
77 Win 53–21–3 (1) United States John L Carter UD 10 December 1, 1977 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
76 Win 52–21–3 (1) Canada George Jerome TKO 9 October 1, 1977 United States Butte, Montana
75 Loss 51–21–3 (1) United States Marlin Lewis UD 12 September 8, 1977 United States Tampa, Florida
74 Draw 51–20–3 (1) United States Marlin Lewis PTS 10 August 5, 1977 United States Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida
73 Win 51–20–2 (1) United States Terry Daniels UD 10 May 25, 1977 United States Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska
72 Loss 50–20–2 (1) The Bahamas Bobby Lloyd PTS 15 May 7, 1977 United States Fort Lauderdale, Florida For Florida Heavyweight Title
71 Loss 50–19–2 (1) United States Boone Kirkman UD 10 April 26, 1977 United States Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington
70 Win 50–18–2 (1) United States Ernie Smith TKO 4 March 23, 1977 United States Anchorage, Alaska
69 Win 49–18–2 (1) United States Ibar Arrington SD 10 February 15, 1977 United States Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington
68 Win 48–18–2 (1) United States James Anthony KO 5 February 2, 1977 United States Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska
67 Loss 47–18–2 (1) United States Ibar Arrington MD 10 October 12, 1976 United States Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington
66 Loss 47–17–2 (1) United States Fred Houpe TKO 10 June 15, 1976 United States Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
65 Loss 47–16–2 (1) United States Randy Stephens PTS 10 June 1, 1976 United States Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida
64 Loss 47–15–2 (1) United States Jimmy Young PTS 10 Feb 20, 1976 Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Hato Rey
63 Loss 47–14–2 (1) South Africa Mike Schutte TKO 7 January 26, 1976 South Africa City Hall, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
62 Loss 47–13–2 (1) South Africa Mike Schutte PTS 10 November 29, 1975 South Africa Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng
61 Loss 47–12–2 (1) United States John "Dino" Denis UD 10 September 30, 1975 United States Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island
60 Loss 47–11–2 (1) Trinidad and Tobago Wendell Joseph UD 10 August 29, 1975 United States Virgin Islands Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
59 Win 47–10–2 (1) United States Walter White SD 11 March 7, 1975 United States Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida
58 Loss 46–10–2 (1) United States Mike Quarry UD 10 January 3, 1975 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
57 Win 46–9–2 (1) Earl Perrer KO 6 October 10, 1974 United States Virgin Islands Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
56 NC 45–9–2 (1) United States Eddie Owens NC 9 August 12, 1974 Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
55 Win 45–9–2 Venezuela Vicente Rondon TKO 2 June 6, 1974 United States Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida
54 Draw 44–9–2 Spain Jose Manuel Urtain PTS 8 March 1, 1974 Spain Madrid, Community of Madrid
53 Loss 44–9–1 Puerto Rico Pedro Agosto PTS 12 December 17, 1973 Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico For Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title
52 Loss 44–8–1 United States George Foreman KO 1 Sep 1, 1973 Japan Nihon Budokan, Tokyo For WBC and WBA World Heavyweight Titles
51 Win 44–7–1 United States Clyde Brown KO 3 June 28, 1973 United States Portland, Maine
50 Win 43–7–1 United States Terry Daniels UD 10 November 21, 1972 United States Sahara Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
49 Win 42–7–1 United States Tony Ventura TKO 2 October 2, 1972 Puerto Rico Estadio Sixto Escobar, San Juan, Puerto Rico
48 Win 41–7–1 United States Charley Polite KO 1 July 14, 1972 Puerto Rico Ponce, Puerto Rico
47 Win 40–7–1 Spain Jose Manuel Urtain UD 10 April 3, 1972 Puerto Rico Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
46 Win 39–7–1 United States Brian O'Melia PTS 10 February 14, 1972 Puerto Rico Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
45 Loss 38–7–1 United States Robie Harris SD 10 October 29, 1971 United States Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
44 Win 37–6–1 Venezuela Jose Rondon PTS 10 May 1, 1971 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
43 Win 36–6–1 United States Tommy Sheehan KO 5 February 25, 1971 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
42 Win 35–6–1 Venezuela Jose Rondon UD 10 February 1, 1971 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
41 Win 34–6–1 Mexico Manuel Ramos PTS 10 October 26, 1970 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
40 Win 33–6–1 United States Bill Hardney KO 3 August 24, 1970 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
39 Win 32–6–1 United States Tommy Howard KO 7 July 27, 1970 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
38 Win 31–6–1 United States Jack O'Halloran PTS 10 May 25, 1970 United States Tampa, Florida
37 Win 30–6–1 United States Moses Harrell KO 2 April 20, 1970 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
36 Win 29–6–1 United States Tommy Grant TKO 1 April 7, 1970 United States Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas
35 Win 28–6–1 United States Abe Brown TKO 2 March 31, 1970 United States Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
34 Win 27–6–1 United States Tommy Howard PTS 10 March 18, 1970 United States Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida
33 Win 26–6–1 United States Mike Bruce PTS 10 January 20, 1970 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
32 Win 25–6–1 United States George Holden TKO 4 December 4, 1969 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
31 Win 24–6–1 United States Charles Clark KO 3 November 18, 1969 United States Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
30 Win 23–6–1 United States Abe Brown KO 2 November 13, 1969 United States Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
29 Win 22–6–1 United States Bowie Adams TKO 3 October 3, 1969 Puerto Rico Estadio Country Club, San Juan, Puerto Rico
28 Loss 21–6–1 United Kingdom Jack Bodell PTS 10 July 14, 1969 United Kingdom Nottingham Ice Stadium, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire 49.25-49.75.
27 Win 21–5–1 United States Chuck Wepner PTS 10 June 22, 1969 Puerto Rico Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
26 Win 20–5–1 United States Al Banks PTS 10 April 19, 1969 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
25 Win 19–5–1 United States Jack O'Halloran PTS 10 March 15, 1969 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
24 Win 18–5–1 United States Al Singletary KO 10 February 13, 1969 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
23 Loss 17–5–1 Puerto Rico Pedro Agosto KO 12 November 19, 1968 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
22 Loss 17–4–1 United States Charlie Harris KO 8 May 20, 1968 United States Audubon Ballroom, New York City
21 Win 17–3–1 United States Al Singletary PTS 10 April 15, 1968 United States Audubon Ballroom, New York City
20 Win 16–3–1 United States Charley Polite UD 8 March 23, 1968 United States Boston Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
19 Loss 15–3–1 United States Al Singletary KO 7 October 2, 1967 United States Audubon Ballroom, New York City
18 Win 15–2–1 United States James J. Johnson PTS 8 August 21, 1967 United States Audubon Ballroom, New York City
17 Draw 14–2–1 United States Moses Harrell PTS 8 July 20, 1967 United States Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
16 Loss 14–2 United States Herman Harris TKO 10 June 5, 1967 United States Worcester, Massachusetts
15 Loss 14–1 United States Hal Carroll SD 8 April 24, 1967 United States Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
14 Win 14–0 United States James J. Johnson UD 8 March 27, 1967 United States Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
13 Win 13–0 United States Don Waldheim SD 4 March 22, 1967 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City
12 Win 12–0 United States Al Brooks UD 6 March 13, 1967 United States Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
11 Win 11–0 United States Billy Muse PTS 6 March 2, 1967 United States Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
10 Win 10–0 United States Tony Burwell PTS 8 January 16, 1967 United States Worcester, Massachusetts
9 Win 9–0 United Kingdom Joe Webb KO 2 January 9, 1967 United States Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
8 Win 8–0 United States Abe Walden PTS 6 December 19, 1966 United States Worcester, Massachusetts
7 Win 7–0 Puerto Rico Felix Viera TKO 2 December 16, 1966 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City
6 Win 6–0 United States Abe Walden TKO 5 October 24, 1966 United States Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
5 Win 5–0 Bill Haderman KO 5 October 20, 1966 United States Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
4 Win 4–0 George Ford KO 2 October 17, 1966 United States Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts
3 Win 3–0 Wayne Webb KO 2 (6) September 8, 1966 United States Portland, Maine
2 Win 2–0 John Hitts KO 1 (4) August 4, 1966 United States Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
1 Win 1–0 United States Sam Sellers PTS 4 June 20, 1966 United States Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Personal

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He has a daughter, Selina, who is an artist.[5] There is a mural in Tampa Bay that depicts him and dr. Ferdie Pacheco, a well-known television boxing pundit.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Jose Roman - BoxRec".
  2. ^ Christie, Matt (August 31, 2014). "On This Day: George Foreman batters the hopeless Jose "King" Roman in a round".
  3. ^ "Legends of Leather - JOE " KING " ROMAN AND PEDRO AGOSTO". Archived from the original on September 11, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  4. ^ "Hit Them While The're up, Not While They're Down". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  5. ^ "First Puerto Rican to fight a heavyweight champ gets a West Tampa mural". Tampa Bay Times.
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