Ray Mancini (Boxer) - On This Day

Full Name: Raymond Michael Mancino, known as "Boom Boom" Mancini
Profession: Boxer

Biography: Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini was an American professional boxer known for becoming the WBA lightweight champion and the dramatic events surrounding one of his title defenses. He was inspired by his father, Lenny Mancini, to reach the boxing heights that the latter could not achieve due to World War II injuries.

Ray Mancini's career was marked by his rise to prominence in the boxing world, a high-profile championship fight that ended in tragedy, and his subsequent life beyond the ring including his 2015 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and his work in film production.

He began boxing under the guidance of his father and had his first professional fight in 1979, scoring a knockout. Mancini rapidly became popular for his aggressive style and won the Ohio State Lightweight title in 1980. By 1981, he had captured the NABF Lightweight championship, setting the stage for title challenges at the world level.

Mancini's pursuit of a world title led to a fight with Alexis Argüello in 1981, which he lost in a bout that became one of the decade's most memorable. He achieved his dream when he won the WBA lightweight title in 1982 against Arturo Frias.

His title defense against Duk Koo Kim later that year, however, resulted in Kim sustaining fatal injuries. This had a profound impact on Mancini and led to boxing regulatory changes, including the reduction of title fights to 12 rounds.

Though Mancini continued to box, successfully defending his title until a loss to Livingstone Bramble in 1984, he retired after a series of comebacks culminated in a loss to Greg Haugen in 1992.

After retiring, besides being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Ray Mancini found success in acting and film production, notably producing the documentary Youngstown: Still Standing in 2010.

Born: March 4, 1961
Birthplace: Youngstown, Ohio, USA
Age: 63 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Pisces

Boxing Record

• 1982-11-13 WBA lightweight champion Ray Mancini beats South Korean challenger Duk Koo Kim by TKO in 14th round in Las Vegas; Kim collapses, falls into a coma and dies 4 days later; as a result, WBC shortens title bouts to 12 rounds; WBA & WBO follow in 1988, and IBF in 1989
• 1982-11-18 South Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim dies from injuries sustained during a 14-round beating by Ray Mancini in Las Vegas; WBC shortens title bouts to 12 rounds; WBA and WBO follow in 1988, and IBF in 1989
• 1984-01-14 Ray Mancini scores a 3rd-round TKO of Bobby Chacon to retain his WBA lightweight title in Reno, Nevada; Chacon so severely battered he thanks referee Richard Steele for stopping the fight
• 1985-02-16 Livingston Bramble defeats Ray Mancini to win WBA lightweight championship, in Buffalo, New York

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