By Carlos Irusta
JUAN CARLOS LECTOURE was Tito in the world of boxing. Everybody knows him as that. And everybody knew that this word was more powerful than a hundred signatures or contracts. Tito passed on March 1st, 2002, at 65. He was retired from boxing since 1987, when he closed the Luna Park Stadium for the activity. “I love boxing, but I am tired of his people”, said once.
TITO managed 12 world champions from Argentina, including names as Carlos Monzón, Víctor Galíndez, Nicolino Locche, Horacio Accavallo, Santos Laciar, Sergio Palma, Gustavo Ballas, Uby Sacco or Juan Coggi. One of his more loved prospects, Juan Roldán could never give him a world crown. Tito managed Roldán for three chances at titles, against Hagler, Hearns and Nunn.
TITO was only 20 when he started as the Luna Park matchmaker. He grew up in boxing with a bunch of old timers, including New York manager Charley Johnston. So, he was an old fashioned promoter: “The word, first”, he usually said. “When I was world champion, I never signed a contract with Tito”, said Santos Laciar. “When Tito call me for a fight, we never need a lawyer”, said Bob Arum. “The word is everything”.
TITO cancelled a show at Las Vegas, 1979. Victor Galindez was defending his light heavyweight belt against Mike Rossman at Caesars Palace. The WBA, but 24 hours before the fight sanctioned the bout, they told Lectoure the Las Vegas Commission will name the judges. “The fight is on the WBA rules, so if the judges are not from the WBA, there will be no fight. Period”, said Tito. And, when the show was going on, while Mike Rossman was on the ring of the Pavilion, waiting for Galindez, the champion ran away. Tito stood in the Pavilion, facing the journalists, the people and the cameras of The Wide World of Sports. He said to Howard Cossell: “I obey the rules. And the fight must have WBA judges. If not, no fight”.
TITO returned a lot of times to Las Vegas. “Nobody said nothing to me. I love Las Vegas, I love the shows. But, remember, I was the only crazy man who stopped a boxing show in Las Vegas. Because, for me, the word was everything…” We remember Tito as he was, gentleman, a real man. A real amigo.