In the time that I have followed boxing there are many matches that could have happened and should have happened. Some like Archie Moore-Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta-Rocky Graziano were before my era. They might have been thrilling matches but for one reason or another they just never came off. One from " my era ", the early 1970's was Ken Buchanan against Mando Ramos. Mr. Ramos was one of my early favorites. He was just a few years older then me when he won the lightweight title in his second try versus the talented Carlos Teo Cruz. He was barely 20 years old. He lost the title soon after to Panama's slick former world champion Ismael Laguna. Mando was cut up by the jab and quick hands of Laguna. He also had trouble with Laguna fast feet and shifty style. Soon after Ismael handed the crown to another crafty boxer,the gritty Ken Buchanan of Scotland. Mando regrouped and won three straight against tough competition. He was sliced up again but won a hard fought decision over former featerweight champ Sugar Ramos. He then halted ex-WBA featherweight titleholder, the rugged Raul Rojas. Ramos then won a decision over rated lightweight contender Ruben Navarro. If I remember correctly ??? After Mando's wins over Sugar Ramos and Rojas he was supposed to meet Buchanan to try to regain the championship. Mando may have been injured and Navarro took his place. Buchanan outboxed Ruben to retain the crown. The WBC ( the IBF and the WBO did not exist yet, thank God )...still wanted Buchanan to fight Mando Ramos as a mandatory defense. Buchanan decided instead on a return with Laguna who he again decisioned. Ramos would go on to defeat Navarro and the WBC stripped Buchanan of their version of the title. They then matched Ramos with Spain's Pedro Carrasco for the vacant title. Carrasco was floored four times but was awarded the " crown " on a very controversial twelfth round disqualification. Due to the questionable result the two were matched again. This time Ramos won a close decision and his second title. Mando then won another verdict in the rubber match to end the trilogy. By this time ( and maybe before ? ), Mando's well documented history of drug abuse was eroding his great skills. He would lose the title to Chango Carmona and his career unraveled. Buchanan would eventually run into a stone wall and the Hands Of Stone, Roberto Duran losing his crown in June of 1972. What if the possible match between Buchanan and Ramos would have came off in 1971 before the WBC stripped Buchanan ? Who would have won that one ? Ken was not as fast or as elusive as Laguna but he was a very clever boxer who moved well. I believe he had a stiffer jab and better all round power then Laguna too. Ramos was a very strong fighter who I believe would have pressed the action against Buchanan. Ken was a good counter puncher but he was not afraid to mix it up on the inside. I really do feel that this had the makings of a sensational bout. Ramos might have carried more power but neither was regarded as a kayo puncher. They were both well educated in fisticuffs. Eddie Thomas had brought Buchanan around and Jackie McCoy handled Ramos. I think the deciding factors in this match would have been Buchanan's jab and the thin skin of Ramos. Plus there would have been a fair amount of infighting and the heads bumping together would have also cost Ramos some blood even though that was where he needed to be for his best chance to win. My pick would be Buchanan via a cut eye TKO in between the tenth and fifteenth rounds. This was back when fights still went fifteen rounds for the title. Ah...the good old days ! JIM AMATO
I had the great opportunity to talk to my pal Armando Cabrera today. Thanks for your call and concerns Armando. It is through boxing that I have come to know Mr. Cabrera as well as so many other fine individuals who I am today proud to call my friends. Armando old buddy...do you happen to have a photo of Ramos and/or Buchanan that you could post on the site ? Thanks again !
I would also like to thank Michael Amakor who runs the fine Fightkings.com site for his phone call. Michael, the message you left with your phone number was accidentally erased. Please call again if you can or e-mail me your number. My long distance calls are free. Take care. I'd also like to thank two local friends in boxing for their support. Jim Borgen of Warren,Ohio and Sal Marino of Niles, Ohio. Thanks Jim for the letters of encouragement. They meant a lot. Sal, thanks for your concern in light of your own health problems. Keep punching Sal...
Jim- Great article!!! You still got it,My Man. It was kind of a reminder that with regard to the Orgs, it's not neccesarly a recent thing that they were a problem......they prevented a lot of fights from happening even back then. I might be faulty in my memory,but I beleive Kenny would've had a little bit of reach edge over Mando,and I agree that Ramos would've had some trouble getting the job done on the inside enough to press Buchanon the way he needed to. I see a fight where Ramos would be do a lot of chasing, with Kenny catching him with the Jab and when Mando was able to get inside,then Kenny would navigate his way out of trouble after breif exchanges and then set up shop again with the Jab. I just see that as being the dominate weapon in the fight. Ramos would have his moments and never be out of the fight, but would be playing catch up throughout. The head banging would be a concern like you say,and with Ramos likely to get the worst of it.......however,if KENNY were to have suffered the damage,then ti would've been just the thing Ramos needed to equalize things a bit. But lacking that,then I'm going Buchanon by comfortable decision,or even the late stoppage you mentioned. Good Post!
I had the great opportunity to talk to my pal Armando Cabrera today. Thanks for your call and concerns Armando. It is through boxing that I have come to know Mr. Cabrera as well as so many other fine individuals who I am today proud to call my friends. Armando old buddy...do you happen to have a photo of Ramos and/or Buchanan that you could post on the site ? Thanks again !
Armando's the Pound for Pound Best, no one finer to call a Friend.
Great piece, Jim. I tend to agree with you about the outcome if Buchanan and Ramos ever went at it, but it does give pause to consider that Ramos's style was similar to that of Duran. But Duran is one of the all-time greats, too. It's doubtful that Ramos could have done the same thing to Buchanan that Roberto did. I think Buchanan's slick style would have won out in the end, either by late TKO or 15-round decision.
Another intriguing bout that never took place was Sugar Ray Robinson v. Marcel Cerdan. THAT would have been a classic for sure.
Glad you're continuing to do well, Jim. It's always enjoyable to read your stories.
I too tend to agree Kan woulod prevail, whether by a cuts tko or decision. He was the better fighter fighter. Mando was 'nursed' to the top by McCoy in association with Aileene Eaton, I believe. This might even have been a two-fight package taking place in L.A. due to Mando's huge popularity and the fact that McCoy/Eaton would practically always seek rematches with those that had previously defeated Ramos. Both fights would've gone in Ken's favor. By the way I have a fine copy Mando's win over the late Carlos "Teo" Cruz, if anyone is interested in have one. My pleasure. "Teo" cruz was a fine person and friend who I had the honor of sparring for in all of his title fights. He was a class guy who's "going nowhere" career got jumpstarted in Puerto Rico under the guidance of factory owner Pete Martinez. Cruz, Angel Espada and myself all worked at his curcuitbraker factory located in the city of Carolina and trained later in the afternoon. Great 'nostagic' piece Jimmy.
It's not so much a knock on the fighters, but perhaps due to the following...
Ken Buchanan?
All I see when I hear that name is a poor wiry little Scot getting whacked in the 'family jewels' by none other than Roberto Duran. It's the first thing I think of -- and the last thing I think of. I know damn well the poor guy was a very good fighter in his own right, but I don't smile or holler when I hear that name -- I just wince. I don't go to the fridge and grab a beer -- I go to the bathroom and grab my nutsack, just to make sure "everything is still alright".
Mando Ramos?
Like Buchanan, I've read about him -- but I've never even seen the bloke fight. I mean, keep in mind that these two were slightly "before my time", and you don't see them being replayed on ESPN Classics.
I don't know...You wanna talk Carnera-Galento or Conn-Galento or somethun?
Brian, I was intrigued by the Carnera-Galento or Conn-Galento matchups you mentioned. I hadn't thought of either before but, as you once famously pointed out, Galento was the real deal. He got robbed in his one chance for the title against somebody named Lewis or Louis, something like that.
I'll have to think through the Carnera-Galento and Conn-Galento scenarios and report back. Interesting fodder for speculation.
I had the great opportunity to talk to my pal Armando Cabrera today. Thanks for your call and concerns Armando. It is through boxing that I have come to know Mr. Cabrera as well as so many other fine individuals who I am today proud to call my friends. Armando old buddy...do you happen to have a photo of Ramos and/or Buchanan that you could post on the site ? Thanks again ! 
