EL NUEVO DIARIO, SANTIAGO.- The immortal of the Dominican sport and former world boxing champion Juan Guzmán, was found dead in his apartment in New York, confirmed relatives living in this city.
Lorenza Guzmán sister of Juan, a resident of the Bolívar expansion, indicated that apparently she had been dead for several days and was found on Saturday night.
He indicated that his brother was depressed because since December he had not received the pension as an immortal, since he had to send a power of attorney and the chancery was closed. Guzmán was inducted into the Dominican Sports Pavilion of Fame in the 1995 ceremonial.
Juan Guzmán Batista was born in Santiago de los Caballeros, he was born on August 21, 1951, so he was going to be 70 years old.
His career
The Dominican boxer Juan Guzmán had to give and endure for 15 rounds, to conquer the world crown, in an epic battle held on July 2, 1976, at the Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo.
It was an exhausting fight against the Panamanian Jaime (El Cieguito) Ríos, who was the owner of the belt endorsed by the World Boxing Association (WBA).
The decision was divided, two judges in favor of the Quisqueyano and the referee for the Panamanian.
Guzmán does not seem like a boxer, he is a man of good speech, decent and respectful and that night he was carried on the shoulder by the fans, his legs were not to reach the dressing room.
But, more than a crown, what Juan Guzmán seemed to win that night was a hot potato, which he had to release quickly or it would burn.
When everything seemed that Guzmán should take at least two months off to regain all the energy of the great effort, his manager went to distant Japan to find him a rival.
The first defense was made three months later, on October 10, 1976 against Yoko Gushiken, that is, Guzmán must have been the day after he was crowned in the gym.
Guzmán fought for the first seven rounds against the Asian, but exhaustion came and the young Japanese, who was only 8-0, stayed with the throne and later became one of the best fighters.
After losing the scepter, Guzmán took a year off, which he should have done with the crown in his possession.
He returned to the ring where he racked up highs and lows, but never found Gushinken or the crown.
He faced renowned men looking for another chance, Martín Vargas, Eleoncio Mercedes, Cándido Téllez, Jovito Rengifo, José Ortiz and Santos Núñez and even a rematch with Jaime Ríos in Panama.
Guzmán made his debut at 21 years and six months against Francisco “La Vieja” Gómez on January 20, 1973, a fight held at the Kid 22-22 gym in Moca and retired in 1982.
At the time of hanging up his gloves, Guzmán, who was nicknamed “The Little Foreman”, did so with a mark of 26 victories, 20 of them by knockout and lost eight times.
After his retirement he dedicated himself to teaching several fighters and was in the corners of several Dominicans in fights for world titles.
For several years he settled in New York City, where he lived as an exemplary Dominican, with a clean service record.
By Tuto Tavárez
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