Pedro Carrasco Spanish boxer Date of Birth: 11.07.1943 Country: Spain

Biography of Pedro Carrasco

Pedro Carrasco was a Spanish boxer whose fame extended far beyond the boxing ring. Born on July 11, 1943, in Alosno, Spain, Carrasco became the European lightweight champion in 1967. Four years later, in 1971, he celebrated another triumph after defeating Mando Ramos by disqualification in the 11th round in Madrid. This victory made Carrasco the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion.

However, the taste of victory was somewhat spoiled by disputes over the legitimacy of holding the title, as Carrasco won it while lying on the canvas. The judges' debate about whether the blow was legal or not ended in favor of the latter, and Carrasco's hand rose in victory. In an instant, Pedro became a national hero in Spain, being the first person in Spanish history to win a world boxing title in the country.

Carrasco, who was not only a successful boxer but also a cultured and educated individual, became a sensation in the media, especially in tabloid magazines. He soon presented himself as a true showbiz star, with his photos gracing the covers of various magazines, including '¡Hola!'. He married singer Rocío Jurado, who gave birth to their daughter Rocío Carrasco. He was also married to Raquel Mosquera for five years.

In 1971, due to serious disputes over his victory over Ramos, the WBC organized a rematch that took place in Los Angeles. In this encounter, Ramos defeated Carrasco, reclaiming the championship title. Another rematch followed, and Ramos emerged the victor once again. Throughout his career, Carrasco achieved a record of 106-3-2 (66 knockouts). As a novice, he started with a record of 12-1-1 and quickly climbed to 92-0-1. He only experienced his first draw after 83 consecutive victories, which overshadowed the achievements of Julio César Chávez (90-0-1).

In 1983, the WBC included Carrasco in the list of the "40 Greatest Boxers of the Last 40 Years." His death in 2001 shocked the people of Spain, partly due to his relatively young age. He was 57 years old. One newspaper article stated, "Spain mourns Pedro."