Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano was an American former professional boxer who competed from 1951 to 1965.
20 Facts About Willie Pastrano
1.
2.
Willie Pastrano held the undisputed WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles between 1963 and 1965.
3.
Willie Pastrano, who weighed over 250 pounds, decided to start working out with his friend.
4.
So, Willie Pastrano developed a style of boxing in which he hardly got hit, and in return, tried not to hurt his opponent as well.
5.
Willie Pastrano fought many heavyweights and outpointed heavyweight contenders Rex Layne, Brian London, and Tom McNeeley.
6.
Willie Pastrano won the world light heavyweight championship when he outpointed the great Harold Johnson on a close 15-round decision.
7.
Willie Pastrano successfully defended his crown by stopping Gregorio Peralta of Argentina on a TKO, and by coming back from a certain defeat on points to KO English challenger Terry Downes in 11 rounds in Manchester, England.
8.
Willie Pastrano lost his crown when he was TKOed by Jose Torres in 10 rounds.
9.
Willie Pastrano was a stablemate of Cassius Clay and often sparred with the future champion early in Clay's career.
10.
Willie Pastrano's talent was dissipated by his aversion to training and a fondness for partying and carousing.
11.
Willie Pastrano's success was limited by his lack of punching power, hence his record of only 14 knockout wins in his 84 fights.
12.
Willie Pastrano outpointed former light heavyweight champion Joey Maxim, and boxed a draw with the legendary Archie Moore.
13.
Willie Pastrano retired with a record of 63 wins, 13 losses and 8 draws.
14.
In 1967, Willie Pastrano became the official host of the Presidential Steak House in Miami Beach, Florida.
15.
However, urged on by his good friend, singer Steve Alaimo, Willie Pastrano embarked on a film career which spanned from 1967 to 1971.
16.
Willie Pastrano's best regarded acting role was in the "B" motorcycle gang film, The Wild Rebels, which starred Steve Alaimo.
17.
Willie Pastrano said in a 1980 interview he was a heroin addict from 1966 to 1969.
18.
Willie Pastrano worked as a host in a restaurant in Reno, Nevada; a chip runner in Las Vegas, and a bouncer in a strip-club in Miami.
19.
Willie Pastrano's well-documented party life-style led to health problems, and Pastrano's film career ended.
20.
In 1980, Willie Pastrano was the manager for pro-boxer, Chubby Johnson in New Orleans.