By David Martinez / dmboxing.com
On September 7, 2016, one of the most exciting, fan friendly boxers I have known, in my 55 years in boxing, passed away – two time featherweight champion Bobby Chacon. He was a friend to many, including myself, and was 64 years old at the time of his passing.
Bobby engaged in some of the best fights of his era, during his brilliant career (1972-1988) 59 wins, 7 losses, one draw, with 47 wins by knockout. He fought all comers, to name a few: Tury Pineda, Jose Luis Martin Del Campo, Frankie Crawford, Chucho Castillo, Ruben Olivares, Danny Lopez, Alfredo Marcano, Rafael Limon, Alexis Arguello, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Ray Mancini, Freddie Roach and Arturo Frias.
Bobby’s fight vs. Danny Little Red Lopez at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, on May 24, 1974, can arguably be considered one of the greatest intracity rivalries in the history of boxing. I was ringside that night and witnessed a great fight, with Bobby winning by knockout in round nine. I remember sitting next to Bryant Gumbel who was working as a sports newscaster for KNBC channel 4 at the time. We both had two things in common – a love for boxing and being born in the same year.
Bobby was as true a throwback fighter as I have known. In quoting my friend, ring announcer Steve Corbo, “Nobody who ever bought a ticket to a Bobby Chacon fight ever walked away feeling they didn’t get their money’s worth.”
In back-to-back years, two of his bouts were Ring Magazine’s “Fight of the Year” … In 1982 vs. Rafael “Bazooka” Limon and in 1983 vs. Cornelius Boza- Edwards.
His life was a Hollywood movie reel inside and outside the ring.
May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord – we love you Bobby Chacon!