By Carlos Irusta
This coming Saturday, Carlos Manuel Baldomir, from Santa Fe, Argentina, will be fighting Zab Judah for the WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight titles. But, who is Baldomir? The man was born in Santa Fe, like other greats such as Carlos Monzón, Juan Coggi and Julio César Vásquez. In his corner will be Amilcar Brusa, the legendary trainer and second father of Monzon. “When Carlos fought Benvenuti, the favorite was the Italian, of course”, says Brusa. “But remember, this is boxing a dangerous business, and only one punch can change the story…”
As a matter of fact, Baldomir is not a puncher. He has 41 victories, 9 loses, 6 draws, and only 12 KOs on his record. But, true be told, he is a very good boxer, with a lot of skill and experience. He's fought at Chicago, Magdeburg (Germany), Mazatlan (Mexico), Copenhagen, Wembley (England), Vejle (Denmark) and Arezzo, Italy.
“This is a once in a life time chance”, says Baldomir. “And I will make all my efforts to win. Of course, I know Judah, a very difficult boxer, but I have my tools, too. And I am waiting too much for this fight”.
Baldomir is called “Tata”, a word that means “Father” in the common language. He has been victorius in his last 19 bouts and in the meantime, he was considered the number one contender in the welterweight division by the WBC. In his last bout, the decisioned in 12 rounds, Miguel Angel Rodriguez (May 21, 2005) at the United Center, Chicago. Rodriguez was undefeated in 25 pro bouts. Baldomir maked his first fight in more than a year. His last fight was on March 27, 2004, when he won by TKO 8 Alpaslan Aguzum for the WBC International welter title.
“One of my great problems is the lack of fights in the last few years, but I am very confident about me”, says Baldomir.
Baldomir has been a professional since 1993, and is managed by José Lemos, a former friend and sparring of Carlos Monzon, a middleweight with an interesting pro record.
“In boxing, Baldomir is like my grand children”, jokes Brusa. Baldomir lost twice to Ariel Gabriel Chaves for the national welter belt in 1996 and 1997. In 1998 he came to Denmark and lost by points to Soren Sondergaard for the IBC welter junior belt. A year later he won by TKO over Dejan Zivkovic, obtaining the WBC International welter belt at Arezzo, Italy, April, 22.
Born on April 30, 1971, at 34, Baldomir still lives at Santa Fe. He used to be, some years ago, a door to door seller. Married, with kids, sometimes he complain: “Nobody takes care of me in my own country”. He knows that, since next Saturday, he can be writing another story. By now, you can know a little more about his story. A man with few words and a lot of experience, fighting for his life.
