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Curtis Cokes

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Curtis Cokes
Cokes at Texas A&M University-Commerce campus, 2014
Born(1937-06-15)June 15, 1937
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 29, 2020(2020-05-29) (aged 82)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)Welterweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights80
Wins62
Wins by KO30
Losses14
Draws4
No contests0

Curtis Cokes (June 15, 1937 – May 29, 2020) was a boxer from Dallas, Texas, United States. Cokes was the simultaneous WBA, WBC and The Ring World Welterweight Champion,[1] and he was famous for his training regimen, which he also imposed on other boxers training with him.

Pre-championship career

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On March 24, 1958, Cokes began to box professionally, defeating Manuel Gonzalez, whom he would later fight for the world title, in a six-round decision. He won eleven fights in a row, including a second match with Gonzalez, before losing to Gonzalez in their third fight, on April 27, 1959. His next fight, against Garland Randall on June 18 of the same year, ended in a three-round no contest. He and Randall had an immediate rematch and on August 27, he knocked out Randall in the first round. He had an additional fourteen fights, going 11-2-1 in that span (his one draw was against Kenny Lane, a boxer who twice challenged Carlos Ortiz for world championships), before facing Luis Rodriguez, another world welterweight champion, on September 3, 1961. He beat Rodriguez by a ten-round decision, outpointed Gonzalez in their fourth fight, and lost to Rodriguez in their second fight, also by points. He went 13–4 in his next seventeen fights, and, after losing in a ten-round decision to Eddie Pace at Los Angeles, California, on August 27, 1964, he announced his retirement. However, on October 14 of that year, he announced he was returning to boxing.

Championship

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After winning three fights in a row, he and Gonzalez were matched for a fifth time on August 24, 1966, this time for the WBA/WBC vacant world welterweight title, in New Orleans. Cokes outpointed Manuel Gonzalez to become world welterweight champion. On November 28, 1966, he retained the crown against Jean Josselin of France in a fifteen-round decision. Nat Fleischer was one of the judges for that fight.

On May 19, 1967, he retained the title with a tenth-round knockout of Francois Villeiman, and on October 2, he met Charlie Shipes, who was recognized as champion in California. He knocked Shipes out in eight rounds in Oakland.

On April 18, 1968, he retained his title with a fifth-round knockout of Willie Ludick, and on October 21, with a fifteen-round decision over Ramon La Cruz.

Post-championship career

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Cokes lost the world welterweight title on April 18, 1969, when he was knocked out by Cuban José Nápoles in thirteen rounds in Los Angeles. On June 29, the pair had a rematch in Nápoles' adopted hometown of Mexico City, Mexico, and Nápoles repeated his victory, this time by a tenth-round knockout.

Cokes had eleven more fights before retiring, winning seven, losing three and drawing in one. His last three fights were in South Africa. He retired after a ten-round decision win against Ezra Mnzinyane on October 5, 1972.

Cokes had a record of 62 wins, 14 losses and four draws, with 30 wins by knockout.

After boxing

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After retiring, Cokes became a trainer. He worked with fighters such as Quincy Taylor and Ike Ibeabuchi.

Cokes also made one film appearance in the year of his retirement. He appeared in the 1972 John Huston film Fat City alongside future Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges and Stacy Keach.[2]

In 2003, Cokes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Death

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Cokes died at age 82 of heart failure on May 29, 2020.[3]

Professional boxing record

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80 fights 62 wins 14 losses
By knockout 30 3
By decision 32 11
Draws 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
80 Win 62–14–4 Ezra Mzinyane PTS 10 Oct 5, 1972 Langa Stadium, Cape Town
79 Win 61–14–4 Joseph Hali PTS 10 Sep 23, 1972 Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth
78 Loss 60–14–4 Elijah Makhathini PTS 10 Sep 9, 1972 Curries Fountain, Durban
77 Loss 60–13–4 Carlos Alberto Salinas SD 10 Dec 2, 1971 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento
76 Loss 60–12–4 Rafael Gutierrez SD 10 May 24, 1972 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
75 Draw 60–11–4 Fate Davis PTS 10 Mar 17, 1971 Armory, Akron
74 Win 60–11–3 Billy Braggs TKO 6 (10) Nov 3, 1970 Eagles Club, Milwaukee
73 Win 59–11–3 Harold Richardson UD 10 Sep 29, 1970 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
72 Win 58–11–3 Fate Davis UD 10 Sep 11, 1970 Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth
71 Win 57–11–3 Danny Perez TKO 7 (10) Aug 10, 1970 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
70 Win 56–11–3 Roberto Pena KO 5 (10) Jan 27, 1970 Convention Center, Fort Worth
69 Loss 55–11–3 José Nápoles RTD 10 (15) Jun 29, 1969 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City For WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
68 Loss 55–10–3 José Nápoles RTD 13 (15) Apr 18, 1969 Forum, Inglewood Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
67 Win 55–9–3 Don Cobbs KO 1 (10) Feb 10, 1969 Arena Exposition Hall, Saint Louis
66 Win 54–9–3 Ramon La Cruz UD 15 Oct 21, 1968 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
65 Win 53–9–3 Joseph Sishi KO 5 (10) Jul 5, 1968 New Kingsmead Soccer Stadium, Durban
64 Win 52–9–3 Willie Ludick TKO 3 (10) Jun 29, 1968 Praça de Touros Monumental de Lourenço Marques, Maputo
63 Win 51–9–3 Joe N'Gidi RTD 4 (10) Jun 15, 1968 Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg
62 Win 50–9–3 Willie Ludick TKO 5 (15) Apr 16, 1968 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
61 Win 49–9–3 Jimmy Lester UD 10 Mar 15, 1968 Auditorium, Oakland
60 Win 48–9–3 Jean Josselin UD 10 Feb 5, 1968 Palais des Sports, Paris
59 Win 47–9–3 Charley Shipes TKO 8 (15) Oct 2, 1967 Oakland Arena, Oakland Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
58 Win 46–9–3 Francois Pavilla TKO 10 (15) May 19, 1967 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
57 Loss 45–9–3 Gypsy Joe Harris UD 10 Mar 31, 1967 Madison Square Garden, New York
56 Win 45–8–3 Mike Cruz KO 3 (10) Feb 20, 1967 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
55 Draw 44–8–3 Francois Pavilla PTS 10 Jan 23, 1967 Palais des Sports, Paris
54 Win 44–8–2 Jean Josselin UD 15 Nov 28, 1966 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas Retained WBA and NYSAC welterweight titles;
Won vacant WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
53 Win 43–8–2 Enrique Cruz KO 7 (10) Sep 27, 1966 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi
52 Win 42–8–2 Manuel Gonzalez UD 15 Aug 24, 1966 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans Won vacant WBA and NYSAC welterweight titles
51 Win 41–8–2 Luis Manuel Rodriguez TKO 15 (15) Jul 6, 1966 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans
50 Win 40–8–2 Billy Collins UD 12 Dec 13, 1965 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans
49 Win 39–8–2 Fortunato Manca PTS 10 Apr 23, 1965 Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma
48 Win 38–8–2 Marshall Wells TKO 12 (12) Mar 15, 1965 Sportatorium, Dallas
47 Loss 37–8–2 Eddie Pace PTS 10 Aug 27, 1964 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
46 Win 37–7–2 Al Andrews PTS 10 Aug 10, 1964 Kearney Bowl, Fresno
45 Win 36–7–2 Al Andrews UD 10 Jun 9, 1964 Castaways Hotel, Las Vegas
44 Win 35–7–2 Tony Montano UD 10 May 12, 1964 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
43 Loss 34–7–2 Stanley Hayward TKO 4 (10) May 1, 1964 Blue Horizon, Philadelphia
42 Win 34–6–2 Flory Olguin TKO 5 (12) May 30, 1963 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
41 Win 33–6–2 Stan Harrington UD 10 May 21, 1963 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu
40 Loss 32–6–2 Jose Stable UD 10 Apr 20, 1963 Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens
39 Win 32–5–2 Joey Parks KO 5 (10) Feb 25, 1963 Wichita Falls
38 Win 31–5–2 Johnny Newman KO 2 (10) Feb 11, 1963 Moulin Rouge, Hollywood
37 Win 30–5–2 Gregorio Ceniceros KO 2 (10) Dec 10, 1962 Dallas
36 Win 29–5–2 Hubert Jackson KO 1 (10) Nov 11, 1962 Sportatorium, Dallas
35 Loss 28–5–2 Manuel Alvarez UD 10 Sep 8, 1962 Monterrey
34 Win 28–4–2 Joey Limas UD 10 Aug 22, 1962 Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque
33 Win 27–4–2 Rudolph Bent KO 8 (10) May 11, 1962 Sportatorium, Dallas
32 Win 26–4–2 Hilario Morales TKO 5 (10) Apr 6, 1962 Sportatorium, Dallas
31 Win 25–4–2 Kid Rayo SD 10 Feb 13, 1962 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio
30 Win 24–4–2 Carlos Macias TKO 4 (10) Jan 23, 1962 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston
29 Loss 23–4–2 Luis Manuel Rodríguez UD 10 Dec 2, 1961 Convention Center, Miami Beach
28 Win 23–3–2 Manuel Gonzalez UD 10 Sep 14, 1961 Sportatorium, Dallas
27 Win 22–3–2 Luis Manuel Rodríguez SD 10 Aug 3, 1961 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
26 Draw 21–3–2 Kenny Lane PTS 10 Jun 8, 1961 Texas Livestock Coliseum, Dallas
25 Loss 21–3–1 Hilario Morales UD 10 Apr 4, 1961 Auditorio Municipal, Ciudad Juarez
24 Win 21–2–1 Charley Tombstone Smith UD 10 Feb 13, 1961 Sportatorium, Dallas
23 Win 20–2–1 Joe Miceli UD 10 Jan 16, 1961 Sportatorium, Dallas
22 Win 19–2–1 Stefan Redl TKO 8 (10) Oct 24, 1960 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
21 Win 18–2–1 Joe Louis Hargrove TKO 2 (10) Sep 13, 1960 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
20 Win 17–2–1 Pete Ruiz TKO 3 (8) Jul 29, 1960 Dudley Field, El Paso
19 Win 16–2–1 Lovell Jenkins PTS 8 Mar 1, 1960 Sports Arena, Amarillo
18 Win 15–2–1 Aman Peck TKO 5 (8) Dec 14, 1959 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
17 Loss 14–2–1 Frankie Davis SD 6 Dec 2, 1959 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston
16 Win 14–1–1 Mel Ferguson UD 8 Sep 14, 1959 Sportatorium, Dallas
15 Win 13–1–1 Reggie Williams KO 5 (6) Aug 27, 1959 Memorial Stadium, Baton Rouge
14 Win 12–1–1 Rip Randall KO 1 (6) Jul 27, 1959
13 Draw 11–1–1 Rip Randall TD 2 (6) May 18, 1959 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
12 Loss 11–1 Manuel Gonzalez SD 10 Apr 27, 1959 Sportatorium, Dallas
11 Win 11–0 Henry Watson PTS 4 Apr 1, 1959 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
10 Win 10–0 Babe McCarron TKO 3 (8) Jan 20, 1959 Fair Park Coliseum, Lubbock
9 Win 9–0 Ruben Flores PTS 6 Dec 1, 1958 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
8 Win 8–0 Manuel Gonzalez SD 8 Nov 22, 1958 Fair Park Coliseum, Lubbock
7 Win 7–0 Elmo Tex Henderson UD 6 Oct 27, 1958 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
6 Win 6–0 Sammy Williams TKO 6 (6) Jun 30, 1958 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas
5 Win 5–0 Cecil Courtney UD 6 May 26, 1958 Sportatorium, Dallas
4 Win 4–0 Babe Vance UD 6 May 12, 1958 Sportatorium, Dallas
3 Win 3–0 Jimmy Leach UD 6 Apr 28, 1958 Sportatorium, Dallas
2 Win 2–0 Gil Tapia PTS 4 Apr 7, 1958 Sportatorium, Dallas
1 Win 1–0 Manuel Gonzalez PTS 6 Mar 24, 1958 Midland High School Gym, Midland

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtis Cokes.

References

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  1. ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone. Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  2. ^ Curtis Cokes @ IMDB
  3. ^ Sherrington, Kevin (30 May 2020). "'... I think I've put up a good fight': Dallas boxing icon Curtis Cokes dies at 82". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Emile Griffith 		WBA welterweight champion
August 24, 1966 – April 18, 1969 		Succeeded by
WBC welterweight champion
November 28, 1966 – April 18, 1969
The Ring welterweight champion
November 28, 1966 – April 18, 1969
Undisputed welterweight champion
November 28, 1966 – April 18, 1969
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