Rodrigo Valdez was a routine sized middleweight who actually began as a lightweight coming out of Colombia in the 1960's. Unlike the recent bombers Colombia has produced Valdez could do everything well, including punch, but he wasn't overwhelming in any one area. Rocky turned pro at 17, went 14-1 to begin his career and then stepped up at age 20.
Eugene Espinosa-The #4 ranked 140. The Ecuadoran already has over fifty wins and will get wins over men like Ismael Laguna and Flash Elorde. He is coming off a loss to ATG Jose Napoles. Valdez enters the world rankings. UD10.
Mario Rosito-Wins over HOFer Joe Brown and Espinosa. he had challenged for the undisputed 140 crown two years before. It's a draw. D10.
German Gastelbondo-Great name isn't it? Another Colombian, ranked #8 at 140. It's another draw. D10.
Over the next several yeas Valdez has the look of a journeyman who has peaked. He wins enough to stay in the rankings but he really doesn't fight outside Colombia much. In 1969 he moves to the US and suffers some setbacks. He rights the ship with consecutive wins over two fringe contenders in Edmundo Leito and Bobby Cassidy. Valdez contracts Hepatitis A from Cassidy during the fight.
It is now 1973 and Rodrigo Valdez is in his mid-twenties and a full grown middleweight.
Bennie Briscoe-One of Philadelphia's favorite sons, Bad Bennie is ranked #2 and is simply one of the hardest punching, toughest guys you will ever run across. He already has a draw with Carlos Monzon and in a second fight a year before had gone the distance losing to the Argentine great. Believe it or not these two fought in freaking New Caledonia! Valdewz gets his biggest win to date. UD10. Six months later they do it again, this time in Monaco. The WBC has stripped Carlos Monzon because he wouldn't fight Valdez, so this is for a strap, but nobody believes it means anything. Rodrigo cements his reputation be becoming the only man to stop Bennie Briscoe, something neither Monzon, nor Marvin Hagler could ever do.One extraordinary right hand. TKO7.
Gratien Tonna-The #2 ranked middle. He will beat future champion Alan Minter and will also challenge and lose to Monzon. Valdez travels to Tonna's home nation and in Paris knocks him out. KO11.
Rudy Robles-The LA middle is ranked #9. Valdez routines him. UD15. Nessim Max Cohen-The Moroccan has beaten contender Jean Claude Bouttier and gotten a draw with a young Eddie Mustafa Muhammad in his last two fights but he's in his thirties. Valdez again travels to Paris and this time destroys the hometown boy. TKO4.
Now Rodrigo Valdez gets his shot. He is ranked #1, is 56-4 and holds a strap. Carlos Monzon agrees to face him in Monaco. The week before the fight, with Valdez already in Monaco, his brother was killed in a barroom brawl at home. Valdez proceeds with the fight.
Carlos Monzon-The ATG is now 33 and has defended the title 12 times. He is a legend in his own time. The fight is very close and though Valdez seemed to lack his usual fire he loses only by two points on each card. UD15. Valdez KO's a couple of journeymen and Monzon agrees to a rematch.
Monzon II-It is Escopeto's final fight. He almost doesn't make it out of round two when Valdez floors him. Rodrigo is clearly winning the first half of the fight. The Monzon's does one of those things that seemingly only the greats can do. At 34 and in his final fight he simply summons his greatness over the final five rounds to win a cloes but convincing decision. UD15. The Monzon retires and Rodrigo Valdez and Bennie Briscoe are matched for the vacant middleweight championship.
Bennie Briscoe III-The fight is held in Italy and once again Valdez proves he is Bennie Briscoe's master. The fight is competitive (NOBODY dominated Bennie Briscoe), but the Colombian becomes champion. UD15.
Shockingly at 32 this is Rocky's last great night. He gets old overnight. In his first defense Hugo Corro out of Argentina stuns the boxing world beating Valdez over 15 rounds. The rematch only serves to convince everyone what was apparent in the first fight. The Valdez fire is out.
Rodrigo Valdez was an awfully good fighter. Here he is KOing Benny Briscoe
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