Chapter 5

Interview With Former Lightweight Champion of the World-Ray Mancini

Ray Mancini, the son of a professional prizefighter, emerged upon the boxing scene in October of 1979. Blessed with good looks, a down to earth personality, and world-class boxing lineage, Mancini quickly became a fan favorite. As a result of his boxing skills, a strong chin, and the heart of a champion, “Boom Boom” rapidly climbed the charts in the lightweight division. On May 8, 1982, after fighting professionally for roughly four years, Mancini defeated Arturo Frias for the WBA Championship. At the age of twenty-one, Ray Mancini had won the world championship for his beloved father who lost valuable years of his budding career serving the United States Army in World War Two. On January 23, 2001, the author interviewed the former world champion.

Question-Ray, is it true that you were a great high school athlete?

Mancini-“In high school, I played football, basketball, and baseball. In football, I was a tailback and a defensive back. In basketball, I was the point guard and in baseball I was an outfielder and a relief pitcher. Unfortunately, it was too much with three sports and my training for boxing. As a sophomore, I came down with mononucleosis. The doctor told me that I would get sick over and over again unless I gave something up. I gave up basketball as a tenth grader.

In my junior year, I started at tailback and defensive back. I weighed only one hundred and thirty-two pounds. The coach told me that I needed to hit the weights. I loved football. I told the coach that I could not gain weight. When I told him that I was giving up football, he told me that I would never go anywhere, as a fighter, and that I would end up punch drunk. You have to understand that where I come from it was big football country. I used the coach’s words to motivate me. Later, when I was inducted into my high school sports hall of fame, I told that story and my old coach was present. I stayed with baseball because it did not conflict with boxing. In the late 1970’s, the Toronto Blue Jays offered me a minor league contract.”

Question-How did you do as an amateur?

Mancini-“I was a southpaw featherweight. I do everything with my left hand except for fighting and hitting a baseball. My last name actually means “left hand” in Italian. My amateur record was 43-7 and I won three golden gloves titles. I also went to national tournaments and always advanced into the quarter finals.”

Question-Looking back, were you ready for the Alexis Arguello championship fight in October of 1981?

Mancini-“I would have never fought him if I did not believe that I was ready. I had just beaten two top ten contenders in Jorge Morales and Jose Ramirez in 1981. I was ready for the Arguello fight. I thought that I could beat Alexis because I was younger and faster and he was nearing the end of his career. I was winning the fight on all three cards when it was stopped. If it was a twelve round fight, I would have fought differently and won the title. I like Alexis, he was a great fighter and a class act. It was an honor to fight him. After that fight, I knew that I had what it took to become a world champion.”

Question-On May 8, 1982, you defeated Arturo Frias to become the WBA Lightweight Champion. How would you describe that moment?

Mancini-“It was euphoric. Nothing in my professional career will ever compare. Of course, getting married and having my three children was greater. I won the title for my dad.”

Question-Which of your four title defenses did you consider the most difficult?

Mancini-“They were all difficult. The fight with Orlando Romero (9/15/83) was the toughest. I was coming off of a shoulder injury and Romero was strong and determined. When I knocked him out, it was my single greatest punch. I defeated him in the same ring at Madison Square Garden where my dad fought fifty years earlier.”

Question-Ray, before the Romero fight, you fought George Feeney (1/6/83) in Italy. How did the Italians treat you?

Mancini-“The Italians treated me like a national hero. They were great. Back in 1982, Bob Arum sent my family and I to Sicily to meet my relatives. It was great and that was nice of Arum.”

Question-On June 1, 1984, you lost your title to Livingstone Bramble. What happened?

Mancini-“I was winning that fight on all three cards. I was over trained because I wanted to win so badly. Boxing is a funny business. Being over trained is worse than being out of shape. I left that fight in the gym. The second Bramble fight was also close. I thought that I had won. I had bad cuts and people assumed that I was a bleeder. I only bled in five fights. I never gave my cuts enough time to heel.”

Question-Why did you comeback against Hector Camacho (1989) and Greg Haugen (1992)?

Mancini-“The fight with Hector was personal. The fight was on and off for years. Another promoter came along and we finally fought. I felt that I won that fight. Camacho won on a split decision. Against Haugen, I wanted to see if I could still compete on a world-class level. Before both fights, I did not want tune up fights. For Haugen, I felt terrible about being away from my family. Mentally, I was beat before the bout. Haugen, was a good fighter.”

Question-What were the two biggest lessons that your dad taught you?

Mancini-“In life, that you need passion and loyalty. Everything that you do you do for the love of it. This includes family and work and never take it for granted. My father also taught me that loyalty to your family and friends is important. In boxing, the most valuable lesson that he gave me was to have heart. You have to be willing to sacrifice for what you want in the ring.”

Question-How good of a boxer was your father?

Mancini-“His record was 55-12-3. He fought and won twenty fights in Ohio before going to New York. The officials in New York did not count his victories in Ohio. My dad was a great fighter. He fought when a fighter had to be a warrior. They were true warriors. They had to fight often just to eat. I am proud to say that my dad was never knocked out or stopped. He was only 5’2 and he was the number one contender in the lightweight division.

He also fought welterweights. My father fought Marty Servo to a draw on the Joe Louis v. Lou Nova (9/29/41) under card. He should have been a world champion. He beat Sammy Angott (5/19/41) but they gave the fight to Angott. The referee gave my dad the fight by the score of seven to three but the two judges gave it to Angott. Lew Jenkins, a champion, would not fight my dad neither would Sugar Ray Robinson.”

Question-What place should Lenny and Ray Mancini have in the history of boxing?

Mancini-“My dad should be in the hall of fame. H was a warrior and there are other non-champions in the hall of fame. I was a good fighter but not a great fighter. Greatness comes from longevity. I did not fight long enough. My dad was great. I am proud to admit that he would have beaten me. My dad never took a step backwards.”

Question-How did World War Two interfere with your father’s career?

Mancini-“My dad was the number one lightweight. He served his country. He did not try to get out of his commitment like some other fighters. He was wounded in the Battle of Metz in France. He took over thirty pieces of shrapnel in him. Thank god his buddies came for him. He was left for dead. The doctors told him that he would never walk again. My dad is an American hero. He defended his country and won a Purple Heart.”

Question-Ray, what are you doing today?

Mancini-“I am happily married with a lovely wife and three children. My life is good and I feel good. My plate is definitely full. I own a production company and a marketing firm. I am very busy. My company has produced “Turn of Faith” and “Body and Soul.” I am very happy.”

Transcripts of interviews with ten former world champions.