Carlos Monzón

Carlos Roque Monzón (7 August 1942 – 8 January 1995), nicknamed Escopeta (Shotgun), was an Argentine professional boxer who held the undisputed world middleweight championship for seven years, and successfully defended his title 14 times against 11 different fighters. The Ring magazine and Boxing Writers Association of America named him Fighter of the Year in 1972. As of December 2024, Monzón is ranked by BoxRec as the third greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Known for his speed, punching power and relentless work rate, Monzón ended his career with a record of 87-3-9-1 with 59 knockouts; all of his losses were early in his career and were avenged. In 2002, Monzón was chosen by The Ring magazine as the 11th greatest fighter of the last 80 years, and voted him as the best middleweight title holder of the last 50 years in 2011. As of January 2018, Monzón holds the 2nd longest unified championship reign in middleweight history at 9 consecutive defenses.

Argentinians adored Monzón throughout his career. His glamorous and violent life was avidly followed both by the media and Argentine people. He was, however, accused many times of domestic violence by his two wives and many mistresses and of beating paparazzi. Charged with killing his second wife Alicia Muñiz in 1988, the former champion was sentenced to 11 years in jail. He died in a January 1995 car crash while on his way back to jail after receiving a weekend furlough.