Victor Galindez: A Tribute to a Great Light Heavyweight Champion
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Victor Emilio Galíndez was born in Vedia, Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 2, 1948. He took up the sport of boxing as a youngster and had an excellent amateur career. His accomplishments included winning a Silver Medal at the 1967 Pan American Games and representing his native country of Argentina at the 1968 Olympics.
Victor turned professional with a fourth round knockout victory over Ramon Ruiz in May 1969. He was undefeated over his first five professional fights before losing a 10 round decision to Juan “Mendoza” Aguilar in April 1970. By August 1970, Victor’s record stood at 7-1-2, 7 KO’s and 1 no contest. However, he then lost back to back contests to Avenamar Peralta, who he would go on to face six times, and Aguilar in a rematch.
Galindez would continue to go through a series of ups and downs over the next 15 months. By the end of 1971, Victor’s record stood at a pedestrian 11-6-3, 8 KO’s, with two no contests. Having won only half his professional fights, he was hardly showing the promise of a future world champion early in his career.
Galindez rebounded with a strong year in 1972, winning 7 consecutive fights before fighting to a 10 round draw with old rival Aguilar. By 1973, Victor was truly coming into his own as a fighter, winning 8 consecutive contests, 6 by knockout. He was finally showing the potential he’d demonstrated as an amateur. In his first fight of 1974, Galindez defeated Sugar Ray Anderson by a 2nd round knockout. After 7 additional victories, Victor’s record stood at 33-6-4, 23 KO’s. Next he earned a chance to face fellow contender Len Hutchins for the vacant WBA Light Heavyweight championship.
In December 1974, Galindez won the championship defeating Hutchins for 13th round TKO. Victor had become an unlikely world champion. In his first defense, he travelled to South Africa to face top contender Pierre Fourie, who had previously gone the distance twice with Bob Foster. Galindez defeated the native South African by a 15 round unanimous decision in April 1975. Two months later, he retained the title for the second time winning a 15 round decision over Jorge Ahumada. In September, Victor travelled to South Africa once again defeating Fourie in a rematch by a 15 round split decision.
In May 1976, Galindez faced his toughest test as championship test to date in Richie Kates. This was an absolute classic and the challenger very nearly prevailed over a bloodied and battered champion. Victor somehow managed to survive and retained his title by a controversial knockout with just one second remaining in the fight. In October, he travelled to South Africa again successfully defending his title with a decision victory over Kosie Smith. The globetrotting Galindez then travelled to Italy where he defended the title three times in 1977. In June, he prevailed convincingly over Kates in a rematch by a 15 round unanimous decision. Victor followed up in September with a unanimous decision over popular and exciting contender Yaqui Lopez. Finally, in November, he decisioned talented future champion Eddie Gregory. In May 1978, Galindez defended successfully for the 11th time, winning a rematch decision over Lopez. Victor’s title reign was now closing in on the four year mark.
September 15, 1978 was an historic date in boxing history. Muhammad Ali avenged his loss to Leon Spinks, winning an easy decision and capturing the Heavyweight championship for an unprecedented third time. On the undercard, Galindez faced unheralded Light Heavyweight contender Mike Rossman. While one great champion avenged a shocking upset on this evening, another suffered one. An inspired Rossman outpointed Galindez on the outside and outfought him on the inside. Victor was overwhelmed and lacking for answers. Finally, an exhausted Galindez was stopped in the 13th round. His remarkable championship reign had come to an end, at least temporarily.
Galindez and Rossman signed to face in a February 1979 rematch. However, in a bizarre scene, Galindez refused to appear in the ring due to a dispute over the judges. A jilted Rossman was left standing in the ring as the television camera rolled. The rematch was then rescheduled for April. This time a far more determined Galindez showed up for the fight. This was a nip and tuck battle before Rossman broke his hand in the fifth round turning the tide of the fight. Galindez dominated afterwards and Rossman retired in his corner after the 9th round. Victor had regained his title. However, his second championship reign would be very brief.
In his first defense, Galindez defended against former WBC Light Heavyweight champion Marvin Johnson. This was part of an outstanding card put together by ABC sports, which also included Marvelous Marvin Hagler challenging Vito Antuofermo for the Middleweight championship and Sugar Ray Leonard challenging Wilfred Benitez for the WBC Welterweight championship. Johnson was too powerful for an aging Galindez and scored an 11th round knockout victory. Victor had been dethroned again, this time permanently. He would never appear in another world championship fight. The following June he lost a 12 round decision to Jessie Burnett in a WBC Cruiserweight title eliminator. After multiple eye operations, Galíndez was forced to retire from the sport of boxing.
Victor then decided to pursue another dream, that of being a race car driver. Tragically, this would lead to his untimely demise. On October 25, 1980, Galindez was killed in a racing accident. He was only 31 years old. Victor’s final career record was 55-9-4, 34 KO’s and 2 no contests. Victor Galindez wasn’t in the class of such men as Archie Moore, Gene Tunney, Ezzard Charles, Bob Foster and Michael Spinks, who belong at the top of the all-time Light Heavyweight list. However, he forged a strong legacy in his own right and certainly belongs in the discussion among the top 15-20. Galindez was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002, an honor which was well deserved. He was a proud warrior who earned his stripes, paid his dues and died far too young.