Boxing Legend and Two-Time World Champion José Legrá Passes Away

José Legrá, the Cuban-Spanish boxer famously known as "The Puma of Baracoa," passed away Tuesday night at Madrid's Gómez Ulla Hospital. He had been hospitalized for several days following a recent decline in health due to a serious illness, as confirmed by the Royal Spanish Boxing Federation.

There is some discrepancy regarding his exact age: while some media outlets and the federation report he was 90, others suggest he was 83, based on the most documented birth date—March 19, 1943, in Baracoa, Cuba. Meanwhile, the newspaper Marca notes his identity document listed May 28, 1937, which would make him 89 at the time of his passing.

Born in the easternmost part of Cuba as one of seven siblings, Legrá grew up in poverty, working as a shoeshiner, dishwasher, and newspaper vendor.

Path to Boxing Stardom

When Fidel Castro's regime banned professional boxing on the island, Legrá first moved to Mexico and later to Miami. There, he trained at the legendary 5th Street Gym and met Angelo Dundee and a young Cassius Clay.

"Ali was very boastful, but he delivered on his words. I was boastful too. Something rubbed off on me. Opponents stepped into the ring against me with fear. You could see it in their eyes," Legrá recalled in an interview.

In 1963, he arrived at Barajas Airport with empty pockets, summoned by Cuban trainer Kid Tunero (Evelio Mustelier). He debuted by knocking out Moroccan Ben Layachi in six rounds.

Achievements and Legacy

On November 30, 1966, he gained Spanish citizenship thanks to Vicente Gil, Franco's personal physician and president of the Spanish Boxing Federation.

Legrá's career was remarkable, boasting seven European featherweight titles between 1967 and 1972, and two WBC world championships. The first came on July 24, 1968, in Porthcawl, Wales, when he defeated Welshman Howard Winstone by technical knockout in the fifth round in front of 11,000 spectators, with the match broadcast live on TVE.

He became the second Spaniard to win a world title, following Baltasar Belenguer "Sangchili" in 1935. Journalist Manuel Alcántara, who also nicknamed him "The Puma of Baracoa," wrote that night: "The boards of the shoeshine box have become a throne. He was champion material."

After losing the title in 1969 to Australian Johnny Famechon at London's Royal Albert Hall, Legrá reclaimed it in 1972 in Monterrey by defeating Mexican Clemente Sánchez.

He lost it for good in 1973 against Brazilian Eder Jofre in Brasília and shortly after was knocked out in the first round by Nicaraguan Alexis Argüello in Managua, leading to his retirement at 30 with a record of 148 fights: 133 wins, 11 losses, and four draws.

Life Beyond the Ring

Outside the ring, he was received several times by Franco, who gifted him an Oldsmobile and an apartment in Madrid.

Legrá amassed a considerable fortune, but poor business decisions led to financial difficulties. "I earned almost 400 million pesetas. But inexperience in life... I thought the world was mine. I had no clue!" he admitted.

In 2003, he was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit.

His later years were spent in a senior residence with cognitive decline.

In 2020, Legrá overcame a COVID-19 hospitalization at the same Gómez Ulla Hospital where he eventually passed away, leaving behind the mischievous smile that bewildered opponents and won the hearts of an entire nation.

He died surrounded by family and close friends. His remains were taken to the North Funeral Home in Madrid, and the burial is scheduled for this Thursday at 11:00 am in the South Cemetery.