Former champion Mando Ramos dead at 59

This is from Pedro Fernandez's website: CHAMP ADMITTED DRUGS KO’D HIM Los Angeles, CA- Most of the time I get a phone call, usually from matchmaker Johnny Bos, telling me that somebody in the boxing the boxing world had passed. This time Bos reported that early Sunday morning former WBA & WBC (separate reigns) champion Mando Ramos had died. Looking back at his career, and from the times I spent around him, Mando was quick to point out that after beating the great Carlos Ortiz for the title in February 1969, his drug use became uncontrollable. FISKE & RING: CHAMP FOR A LONG TIME! After reading about his early rise in the columns of iconic writer Jack Fiske of the S.F. Chronicle, and Ring magazine, the consensus was that he would remain lightweight (135 lbs.) champ until he outgrew the division. Those prophecies were incorrect, as Ramos, 19 when he beat Ortiz, was to defend the title once vs. Yoshiaka Numata (KO 6) at the famed L.A. Sports Arena in June 1969. Three fights and 13 months after Ortiz, Ramos was cut up by Ismael Laguna and stopped in six. RAMOS NEVER COULD GET “IT” BACK From that point forward, Mando, short for Armando, was a shell of his former self. He thrice fought Pedro Carrasco, once in 1971 and twice in 1972, first losing the vacant WBC title via DQ, before grabbing a pair of 15-round split decision wins in Los Angeles and Spain. Chango Carmona was next up for Mando in September 1972. The result, not a pretty one for Ramos as he was halted in the eighth round of a one-sided rout! ONE-TIME GREAT WAS FINISHED AT 27 Ten fights and 37 months later, the career of the skinny kid from L.A. was history. In those last ten fights, Ramos went 4-5-1, including short-end losses to Arturo Pineda, Wolfgang Gans (twice) and Wayne Beale. His record after the Beale loss in October 1975 was 37-11-1, (23 KOs). With his passing unexpected and sudden, there is no word on funeral services for the 59-year Armando “Mando” Ramos. Pedro Fernandez