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José Legrá

Spanish boxer (1943–2026) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

José Adolfo Legrá Utría (19 April 1943 – 14 July 2026) was a Cuban-born Spanish professional featherweight boxer. He was a two-time WBC World Featherweight Champion.[1]

NicknamePocket Cassius Clay
NationalitySpanish
Born(1943-04-19)19 April 1943
Baracoa, Cuba
Died14 July 2026(2026-07-14) (aged 83)
Madrid, Spain
Quick facts Personal information, Nickname ...
José Legrá
Legrá c. 1973
Personal information
NicknamePocket Cassius Clay
NationalitySpanish
Born(1943-04-19)19 April 1943
Baracoa, Cuba
Died14 July 2026(2026-07-14) (aged 83)
Madrid, Spain
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
WeightFeatherweight
Boxing career
Reach160 cm (63 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights144
Wins129
Win by KO49
Losses11
Draws4
No contests0
Close

Professional career

In June 1960, Legrá turned professional in Cuba winning his first fight against Pedro Pinera which he won with a points decision over four rounds. Legrá drew his next fight and lost two after that and fought a total of 34 fights in Mexico and Cuba before departing for Spain in 1963 with a record of 27–5–2.[1]

Move to Spain

His first fight in Spain was in October 1963 against Moroccan Lazaro ben Layachi, which he won by KO in the sixth of eight rounds. Legrá then went on a run of over sixty wins between 1963 and 1967 with just one defeat on points against Welshman Howard Winstone at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool in England.[1]

European title

Legrá won his first title belt, the vacant European Featherweight title, in December 1967 with a third-round knockout win over France's Yves Desmarets. Legrá subsequently relinquished the title without a defence.[1]

WBC World title

Legrá first opportunity to fight for a recognised world title belt came in July 1968 when he challenged Howard Winstone again, this time for his WBC Featherweight title. Legrá floored Winstone twice in the first round of the fight. The bout was subsequently halted because Winstone had a badly swollen left eye.[1]

He lost his WBC featherweight title on 21 January 1969 after being defeated by French-Australian Johnny Famechon on points at the Albert Hall in London.[1]

After Famechon

Legrá won two matches before losing by UD to Vicente Saldivar. Seven matches later Legrá would regain the EBU Featherweight title after beating Tommaso Galli on points. Legra would defend it five times before vacating it in 1972.[1]

Regaining the WBC title and retirement

On 16 December 1972. Legrá fought Clemente Sanchez for the vacant Featherweight title, Sanchez was stripped of the title before the fight but the title was still on the line for Legrá. Legrá TKO'd Sanchez in the tenth round to win.[1]

Legrá lost the title in his very next fight to Brazilian Éder Jofre by Majority Decision. He would fight 3 matches after that, beating Jimmy Bell by points, losing to Alexis Arguello by KO, and beating Daniel Valdez by points.[1]

Personal life and death

In April 2020, Legra, aged 77, contracted COVID-19.[2]

José Legra died on 14 July 2026, at the age of 83.[3]

Professional boxing record

More information 144 fights, 129 wins ...
144 fights 129 wins 11 losses
By knockout 49 3
By decision 80 8
Draws 4
Close
More information No., Result ...
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
144 Loss 129–11–4 Alexis Argüello TKO 1 (10) 24 November 1973 Estadio Roberto Clemente, Masaya, Nicaragua
143 Win 129–10–4 Jimmy Bell PTS 10 1 August 1973 Plaza de Toros del Coliseo Balear, Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
142 Loss 128–10–4 Éder Jofre MD 15 5 May 1973 Ginasio Presidente Medici, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil Lost WBC featherweight title
141 Win 128–9–4 Clemente Sánchez TKO 10 (15) 16 December 1972 Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Won WBC featherweight title
140 Win 127–9–4 Daniel Vermandere UD 15 6 October 1972 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain Retained EBU featherweight title
139 Loss 126–9–4 Jonathan Dele PTS 10 21 June 1972 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
138 Win 126–8–4 Tommy Glencross SD 15 17 May 1972 Princes Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Retained EBU featherweight title
137 Win 125–8–4 Evan Armstrong UD 15 15 February 1972 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England Retained EBU featherweight title
136 Win 124–8–4 Ben Salah Abdesselem KO 1 (10) 15 January 1972 Plaza de Toros, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
135 Win 123–8–4 Marius Cordier TKO 3 (10) 26 August 1971 Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
134 Win 122–8–4 Giovanni Girgenti KO 9 (15) 14 August 1971 Plaza de Toros, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain Retained EBU featherweight title
133 Loss 121–8–4 Tahar Ben Hassen KO 4 (10) 21 May 1971 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
132 Win 121–7–4 David Pesenti TKO 8 (10) 8 May 1971 Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre, Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain
131 Win 120–7–4 Marius Cordier TKO 3 (10) 15 April 1971 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
130 Win 119–7–4 Jimmy Revie UD 15 25 January 1971 Anglo-American Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, England Retained EBU featherweight title
129 Win 118–7–4 Renato Galli PTS 10 26 December 1970 Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
128 Win 117–7–4 Abel Cesar Almaraz KO 4 (8) 12 December 1970 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
127 Win 116–7–4 Bruno Melissano PTS 10 14 November 1970 Madrid, Spain
126 Win 115–7–4 Ugo Poli PTS 10 24 October 1970 Pabellón Polideportivo del Real Madrid, Madrid, Spain
125 Win 114–7–4 Tommaso Galli PTS 15 26 June 1970 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain Won EBU featherweight title
124 Win 113–7–4 Domenico Chiloiro TKO 7 (10) 22 May 1970 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
123 Win 112–7–4 Rolf Kersten TKO 1 (10) 11 April 1970 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
122 Win 111–7–4 Jimmy Bell PTS 10 5 March 1970 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
121 Win 110–7–4 Evan Armstrong PTS 10 5 February 1970 Palacio de los Deportes, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
120 Win 109–7–4 Miguel Herrera TKO 2 (10) 11 December 1969 Palacio de los Deportes, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
119 Win 108–7–4 Rey Miller KO 2 (10) 24 October 1969 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
118 Loss 107–7–4 Vicente Saldivar UD 10 18 July 1969 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
117 Win 107–6–4 Domenico Scalco TKO 1 (8) 13 June 1969 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
116 Win 106–6–4 Vicente Pina KO 4 (10) 30 May 1969 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
115 Loss 105–6–4 Johnny Famechon PTS 15 21 January 1969 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England Lost WBC featherweight title
114 Win 105–5–4 Felix Said Brami KO 1 (10) 28 October 1968 Palais des Sports, Paris, France
113 Win 104–5–4 Bob Allotey PTS 10 5 October 1968 Pabellón de La Casilla, Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain
112 Win 103–5–4 Howard Winstone TKO 5 (15) 24 July 1968 Coney Beach Arena, Porthcawl, Wales Won WBC featherweight title
111 Win 102–5–4 Fernando Tavares KO 2 (10) 10 June 1968 Plaza de Toros La Manzanera, Logrono, La Rioja, Spain
110 Win 101–5–4 Klaus Jacoby KO 6 (10) 10 May 1968 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
109 Win 100–5–4 Joe Tetteh PTS 10 25 April 1968 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
108 Win 99–5–4 Ernesto Miranda TKO 4 (10) 14 March 1968 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
107 Win 98–5–4 Ernesto Miranda PTS 10 2 February 1968 Pabellón de La Casilla, Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain
106 Win 97–5–4 Yves Desmarets TKO 3 (15) 22 December 1967 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain Won vacant EBU featherweight title
105 Win 96–5–4 Benito Gallardo TKO 3 (10) 9 November 1967 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
104 Win 95–5–4 Paul Rourre PTS 10 30 September 1967 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
103 Win 94–5–4 Fernando Tavares TKO 7 (10) 2 September 1967 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
102 Win 93–5–4 Don Johnson PTS 10 30 June 1967 Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
101 Win 92–5–4 Jose Luis Torcida PTS 10 24 June 1967 Leon, Castilla y León, Spain
100 Win 91–5–4 Paul Rourre PTS 10 10 June 1967 Velódromo de Anoeta, San Sebastián, País Vasco, Spain
99 Win 90–5–4 Maurice Tavant PTS 10 2 June 1967 Palacio de los Deportes, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
98 Win 89–5–4 Mohamed Ben Saouita TKO 1 (10) 27 April 1967 Palacio de los Deportes, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
97 Win 88–5–4 Ameur Lamine PTS 10 18 March 1967 Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
96 Win 87–5–4 Rafiu King PTS 10 10 March 1967 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
95 Win 86–5–4 Salvatore Gennatiempo TKO 6 (10) 12 February 1967 Malaga, Andalucía, Spain
94 Win 85–5–4 Julian Gonzalez PTS 10 21 January 1967 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
93 Win 84–5–4 Roger Younsi PTS 10 14 January 1967 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
92 Win 83–5–4 Mohamed Halimi Laroussi TKO 3 (10) 8 January 1967 Estadio Insular, Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, Spain
91 Win 82–5–4 Love Allotey PTS 12 23 December 1966 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
90 Win 81–5–4 Jean De Keers KO 1 (10) 2 December 1966 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
89 Win 80–5–4 Hector Omar Oliva TKO 9 (10) 24 November 1966 Palacio de los Deportes, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
88 Win 79–5–4 Manuel Carvajal PTS 10 12 November 1966 Pabellón Municipal de Deportes, Gijon, Principado de Asturias, Spain
87 Win 78–5–4 Roberto Marthon TKO 2 (10) 27 October 1966 Pabellón de la Feria de Muestras, Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain
86 Win 77–5–4 Luis Segura TKO 2 (8) 15 October 1966 Gimnasio Polideportivo, Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
85 Win 76–5–4 Raul Tejera TKO 2 (10) 1 October 1966 Pabellón Municipal de Deportes, Gijon, Principado de Asturias, Spain
84 Win 75–5–4 Julian Gonzalez TKO 7 (8) 2 September 1966 Campo del Gas, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
83 Win 74–5–4 Tommy Thompson TKO 1 (10) 20 August 1966 Velódromo de Anoeta, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
82 Win 73–5–4 Vincenzo Pitardi TKO 5 (10) 12 August 1966 Campo del Gas, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
81 Win 72–5–4 Celmiro Rios TKO 3 (8) 29 July 1966 Plaza de Toros de Las Arenas, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
80 Win 71–5–4 Jose Riveiro KO 7 (10) 2 July 1966 Plaza de Toros de Buenavista, Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Spain
79 Win 70–5–4 Jose Luis Torcida PTS 10 4 June 1966 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
78 Win 69–5–4 Angel Chinea PTS 8 21 May 1966 Pabellón Velódromo, Mataro, Cataluña, Spain
77 Win 68–5–4 Dris ben Amar TKO 5 (10) 7 May 1966 Frontón de Anoeta, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
76 Win 67–5–4 Cristobal Gomez PTS 8 30 April 1966 Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta, Malaga, Andalucía, Spain
75 Win 66–5–4 Hector Omar Oliva PTS 8 15 April 1966 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
74 Win 65–5–4 Jesus Zarco PTS 10 3 April 1966 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
73 Win 64–5–4 Oye Turpin TKO 2 (8) 17 March 1966 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
72 Win 63–5–4 Antonio Paiva TKO 7 (8) 3 March 1966 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
71 Win 62–5–4 Cristobal Gomez PTS 8 13 February 1966 Almeria, Andalucía, Spain
70 Win 61–5–4 Juan Rodriguez PTS 8 6 January 1966 Terraza Albéniz, Almeria, Andalucía, Spain
69 Win 60–5–4 Manuel Calvo PTS 8 18 December 1965 Salamanca, Castilla y León, Spain
68 Win 59–5–4 Manuel Calvo PTS 8 26 November 1965 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
67 Win 58–5–4 Ramon Casal PTS 8 12 November 1965 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
66 Win 57–5–4 Jose Bisbal PTS 8 30 October 1965 Frontón de Anoeta, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
65 Win 56–5–4 Luis Segura PTS 8 25 September 1965 Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain
64 Win 55–5–4 Juan de Leon KO 4 (8) 19 September 1965 Frontón de Anoeta, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
63 Win 54–5–4 Tristano Tartarini TKO 1 (8) 5 September 1965 Campo de Futbol de Pedras Brancas, Carballo, Galicia, Spain Stopped on cuts
62 Win 53–5–4 Lope de Pablo PTS 8 31 August 1965 Estudios de Prado del Rey, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
61 Loss 52–5–4 Howard Winstone PTS 10 22 June 1965 Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
60 Win 52–4–4 Jose Caetano dos Santos PTS 8 2 June 1965 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
59 Win 51–4–4 Antonio Paiva PTS 8 2 April 1965 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
58 Win 50–4–4 Miguel Calderin PTS 8 13 March 1965 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
57 Win 49–4–4 Domingo Cabrera TKO 8 (8) 6 March 1965 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
56 Win 48–4–4 Mario Sitri PTS 8 26 February 1965 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
55 Draw 47–4–4 Angel Neches PTS 8 30 January 1965 Frontón del Club Deportivo, Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain
54 Win 47–4–3 Juan Pinto PTS 8 22 January 1965 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
53 Win 46–4–3 Renato Galli PTS 8 26 November 1964 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
52 Win 45–4–3 Jose Sanchez Merayo TKO 2 (8) 14 November 1964 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
51 Win 44–4–3 Luis Aisa PTS 8 31 October 1964 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
50 Win 43–4–3 Antoine Licausi PTS 8 10 October 1964 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
49 Win 42–4–3 Vincenzo Pitardi PTS 8 18 September 1964 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
48 Win 41–4–3 Luis Aisa PTS 10 5 September 1964 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
47 Win 40–4–3 Miguel Calderin PTS 10 8 August 1964 Plaza de Toros, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
46 Win 39–4–3 Rafael Gayo PTS 8 18 July 1964 Campo de Futbol de Pedras Brancas, Carballo, Galicia, Spain
45 Win 38–4–3 Angel Rodriguez KO 1 (8) 2 July 1964 Plaza de Toros, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
44 Win 37–4–3 Kid Tano PTS 8 4 June 1964 Estadio Insular, Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, Spain
43 Win 36–4–3 Kid Tano PTS 10 23 May 1964 Estadio Insular, Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, Spain
42 Win 35–4–3 Miguel Calderin PTS 8 7 May 1964 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
41 Draw 34–4–3 Kid Tano PTS 8 31 March 1964 Plaza de Toros, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
40 Win 34–4–2 Jose Luis Martinez PTS 8 14 March 1964 Frontón del Club Deportivo, Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain
39 Win 33–4–2 Toni Alonso PTS 8 15 February 1964 Frontón Fiesta Alegre, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
38 Win 32–4–2 José Luis Biescas PTS 8 5 February 1964 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
37 Win 31–4–2 Jose Luis Martinez PTS 8 11 January 1964 Frontón Fiesta Alegre, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
36 Win 30–4–2 Luis Aisa PTS 8 4 December 1963 Gran Price, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
35 Win 29–4–2 Baldomero Arroyo PTS 8 2 November 1963 Frontón Fiesta Alegre, Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
34 Win 28–4–2 Lazaro ben Layachi TKO 6 (8) 26 October 1963 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
33 Loss 27–4–2 Vicente Nunez PTS 8 1 October 1963 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
32 Win 27–3–2 Vicente Nunez PTS 8 1 July 1963 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
31 Draw 26–3–2 Juan Fernandez PTS 8 1 June 1963 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
30 Win 26–3–1 Enrique Yamuri PTS 8 1 May 1963 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
29 Win 25–3–1 Juan Fernandez PTS 10 1 April 1963 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
28 Win 24–3–1 Jimmy Escudero PTS 10 1 March 1963 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
27 Win 23–3–1 Pedro Soto PTS 10 1 October 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
26 Win 22–3–1 Vicente Nunez PTS 10 1 August 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
25 Win 21–3–1 Raimundo Pellegrino PTS 8 1 July 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
24 Win 20–3–1 Esteban Castillo PTS 10 1 June 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
23 Win 19–3–1 Oribazo PTS 8 1 May 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
22 Win 18–3–1 Leopoldo Galvez PTS 8 1 April 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
21 Win 17–3–1 Raul Nunez PTS 8 1 March 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
20 Win 16–3–1 Luis Odio PTS 8 1 February 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
19 Win 15–3–1 Indio del Sur PTS 8 1 January 1962 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
18 Loss 14–3–1 Baby Luis PTS 10 6 October 1961 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
17 Win 14–2–1 Tomas Martinez PTS 6 1 October 1961 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
16 Win 13–2–1 Tomas Perez PTS 6 1 September 1961 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
15 Win 12–2–1 Huracan Diaz KO 3 (6) 1 July 1961 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
14 Win 11–2–1 Eugenio Gimenez KO 3 (6) 1 June 1961 Mexico Exact month & date unknown
13 Win 10–2–1 Jimmy Hightower RTD 4 (6) 22 May 1961 Sir John Club, Miami, Florida, U.S.
12 Loss 9–2–1 Angel Ley KO 6 (8) 15 April 1961 Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
11 Win 9–1–1 Indio Iguamo KO 2 (8) 1 March 1961 Cuba Exact month & date unknown
10 Win 8–1–1 Pedro Pinera PTS 8 12 January 1961 Cuba Exact month & date unknown
9 Loss 7–1–1 Agustin Carmona PTS 8 7 January 1961 Havana, Cuba
8 Win 7–0–1 Miguel Oliva PTS 6 17 December 1960 Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
7 Win 6–0–1 Victor Recio TKO 3 (?) 26 November 1960 Havana, Cuba
6 Win 5–0–1 Miguel Oliva PTS 4 22 October 1960 Havana, Cuba
5 Win 4–0–1 Andres Perez TKO 2 (6) 24 September 1960 Havana, Cuba
4 Win 3–0–1 Julian Perez PTS 6 1 September 1960 Cuba Exact month & date unknown
3 Draw 2–0–1 Jose Ramon Ferrer PTS 4 20 August 1960 Havana, Cuba
2 Win 2–0 Julian Perez PTS 6 (?) 1 August 1960 Havana, Cuba Exact month & date unknown
1 Win 1–0 Pedro Pinera PTS 4 16 July 1960 Havana, Cuba
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