In unhappy information, it has been reported by Brazilian media that former heavyweight contender Jose Adilson Rodrigues has handed away on the nonetheless comparatively younger age of 66. Rodrigues, generally known as “Maguila” throughout his ring profession, had been battling pugilistic dementia since 2013.
A very good fighter who was bodily sturdy, Rodrigues additionally had energy, and he might transfer within the ring if he wished to. Blessed with fairly quick fingers, Rodrigues was sadly not blessed with an amazing chin, even when he had a ton of coronary heart and need. Throughout his 17-year professional profession, Adilson rumbled with a number of the largest names of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties, together with Evander Holyfield, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, George Foreman, and James “Fast” Tillis.
Rodrigues, simply essentially the most celebrated Brazilian heavyweight boxer within the nation’s historical past, was at one time skilled by the nice Angelo Dundee, most notably for the Foreman struggle in 1990. Sadly, after a good hit-and-move opening spherical, Rodrigues was taken out by Foreman, who was in spherical two. A yr earlier, Holyfield had KO’d Rodrigues within the second spherical.
These spotlight reel KO losses apart, Rodrigues picked up some good wins, over Smith and Tillis, with each wins approaching factors; whereas “Maguila” additionally scored wins over British heavy Hughroy Currie, this in 1988, and British cruiserweight, now famous pundit, Johnny Nelson.
Rodrigues KO’d Currie earlier than his fights with Holyfield and Foreman, whereas he then received two 12-round determination victories over Nelson years later, in 1995. The choices in Rodrigues’ favor might properly have resulted in some, let’s assume, house cooking! However Rodrigues was a hero in Brazil, with lots of his fights going down in Sao Paulo.
Retiring in 2000 with a 77-7-1(61) report, Rodrigues received each the South American and the Brazil heavyweight title throughout his at instances very thrilling profession. Another names Rodrigues managed to defeat embody Rocky Sekorski, Mike Jameson, Reggie Gross, Alfredo Envangelista, Dave Garside (one other British heavyweight), and Dave Jaco.
“Maguila” threatened the highest heavyweights for some time, but he finally fell quick. All those that knew Jose had nothing however nice affection for him. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has joined these paying tribute to this fallen warrior.
Our ideas and condolences exit to Jose’s household and pals right now.
