Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini: The Real Deal

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By Jim Amato

During the early 1980’s it was said that Youngstown’s Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini was a media manufactured prospect. He was a great story line. A young son trying to win a title that evaded his talented father Lenny “Boom Boom” Mancini. Was he the real deal or was he hype?

That was the question when he entered the ring at the Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio on July 19, 1981 to meet Mexico’s Jose Luis Ramirez. Ray’s NABF lightweight title he had won just a month before would be on the line. What was really on the line was his reputation. Was he a future champion or a public relations creation? Ramirez was no joke. He would enter the ring with a 71-3 record. On November 14, 1980 he had floored the great Alexis Arguello and ended up losing a very controversial decision. Ramirez was a bonafide contender and was considered a very stern test for the young Mancini.

What transpired the day was not a Warren war…It was a romp of Ramirez. Ray Mancini won a convincing decision over a man who was among the lightweight elite. A man who would later win a piece of the title. A fighter who you could make a case for being Hall of Fame status.

In my humble opinion this fight was Ray’s shining moment. Not his formidable but losing stand later to the legendary Arguello. Not his title victory over Arturo Frias or his knockout of Bobby Chacon. This fight against Ramirez showed the national stage that indeed, this young man could fight!