Ray Mancini (born March 4, 1961) is an Italian American former boxer from the south side of Youngstown, Ohio. He held the World Boxing Association lightweight championship for two years in the 1980's. Mancini inherited his distinctive nickname from his father, veteran boxer Lennie "Boom Boom" Mancini, who laid the foundation for his son's career. The name, however, perfectly suited the younger Mancini's wild, "whirlwind" fighting style. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Location within the state of Ohio Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Mahoning Founded 1796 Incorporated 1848 (village) - 1867 (city) Government  - Mayor Jay Williams (I) Area  - City  34. ... is the 63rd day of the year (64th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... An Italian-American is an American of Italian descent either born in America or someone who has immigrated. ... Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Domínguez (left, throwing a left uppercut) versus Rafael Ortiz Boxing, also referred to as prizefighting, the noble art, the sweet science, and pugilism is a combat sport in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists in a series of... Location within the state of Ohio Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Mahoning Founded 1796 Incorporated 1848 (village) - 1867 (city) Government  - Mayor Jay Williams (I) Area  - City  34. ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ...

Early life and family

Boxing played a prominent role in the Mancini household. Mancini's father, Lenny Mancini (the original "Boom Boom"), was a top-ranked contender during the 1940s who was widely predicted to be a future world champion. Lennie Mancini's dream, however, was dashed when he was wounded during World War II. Although Lennie Mancini returned to boxing, limitations resulting from his injuries prevented him from fulfilling his potential. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

Lenny inspired young Ray to develop his boxing skills and encouraged him to train at a gym when he was quite young. Ray had a stellar amateur career, and in 1978, he made the jump to the professional ranks. His whirlwind punching style caught the attention of network executives at several American television networks, and he became a regular on their sports programming. During this time Ray Mancini defeated some excellent boxers, including former United States champion Norman Goins. Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ...

Lightweight championship

His first attempt at a world title came in his next bout, when he was pitted against Alexis Arguello. The event was selected by many (including Ring Magazine and ESPN) as one of the most spectacular fights of the 1980s. Mancini gave Arguello trouble, but the more experienced champion used his experience to his advantage and took out the challenger in 14 rounds. Mancini was saddened by his first defeat, but not about to give up on his dream. Alexis Argüello (born April 19, 1952), is a former world champion Nicaragua. ... Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Frias

Six months later, he challenged the new world champion, Arturo Frias, for the world lightweight title. Fifteen seconds into the fight, the fast starting champion caught Mancini with a right to the chin and Mancini shook. Another combination made Mancini start bleeding from his eyebrow. Mancini stormed back and dropped the champion right in the center of the ring with a spectacular combination. Dazed and surprised, Frias got back up, but Mancini went after his prey with a fury, and was on top of him the moment the referee said they could go on, trapping Frias against the ropes. After many unanswered blows, the referee stopped the fight, and the Mancini family finally had a world champion. Arturo Frias (born October 27, 1956) is a Chicano who was a world champion boxer. ... // The lightweight is the 130 pounds (59 kilograms) to 135 pounds (61 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. ...

Before his confrontation with Frias and during training camp in Tucson, three gunmen paid a visit to Mancini at his hotel. The gunmen were told he was not there, they never came back, and Mancini trained with police surveillance until the fight.^{[citation needed]} This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Duk Koo Kim

Mancini's first defense, against former world champion Ernesto Espana, went smoothly with a Mancini knockout win in 6 rounds. A boxer is knocked down and receives the 10-count. ...

His next defense would change both his life and the face of boxing: On November 13th, 1982, a 21-year-old Mancini met 23-year-old South Korean challenger Duk Koo Kim. Kim had to lose several pounds before the fight to make the weight, and was dehydrated. The title bout, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, was televised live at 1:00 PST on CBS Sports Saturday. By fight time, Kim was spent. It was, according to many observers, a fight filled with action, but Mancini had an easy time hitting Kim during the 14 rounds the fight lasted. Kim sustained brain injuries that led to his death 5 days later. The week after his death, the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine showed Mancini and Kim battling, under the title "Tragedy In The Ring." Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Motto None (Unofficial: Broadly benefit humankind also translated as Devotion to the welfare of humanity) Anthem Aegukga Patriotic Hymn Capital (and largest city) Seoul Official languages Korean Government Presidential republic  -  President Roh Moo-hyun  -  Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Establishment  -  Independence declared March 1, 1919 (de jure)   -  Liberation August 15... Media:Example. ... The main entrance. ... CBS is one of the largest radio and television networks in the United States. ... The first issue of Sports Illustrated, August 16, 1954, showing Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Mathews at bat in Milwaukee County Stadium. ...

Mancini went to the funeral in South Korea, but he fell into a deep depression afterwards. He has said that the hardest moments came when people approached him and asked if he was the boxer who "killed" Duk Koo Kim. Mancini went through a period of reflection, as he blamed himself for Kim's death. In addition, the bout's referee, Richard Greene, committed suicide in February of 1983, and so did Kim's mother, four months later. Referee for match between Ray Mancini and Duk Koo Kim, the famous fight where Duk Koo Kim lost his life. ...

As a result of this bout, the WBC took steps to shorten its title bouts to a distance of 12 rounds. The WBA and WBO followed in 1988 and the IBF did in 1989. WBC logo mark “WBC” redirects here. ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ... The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is one of the sanctioning organizations currently recognizing world boxing champions. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... The International Boxing Federation, or IBF, is one of many organizations which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC, WBO, and a dozen or so others. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...

Later matches

Mancini began the process of getting his life back together by once again putting on gloves. He went to Italy to face British champion George Feeney, a tough fighter from England. Mancini won a 10-round decision, but he was not the Ray Mancini of old. Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total 130...

He defended his title two more times. In a bout with former world champion Bobby Chacon, which was broadcast on HBO, the overmatched Mexican boxer lasted only three rounds. To fans at least, the old "Boom Boom" appeared to be back. Mancini, however, was making plans to get out of boxing to pursue a less violent trade: acting. Bobby Chacon (born 1951) is a former boxer and two time world champion. ... HBO (Home Box Office) is a premium cable television network with headquarters in New York City. ...

In June of 1984, Mancini, still recovering from the emotional trauma of Kim's death, struggled to retain his title in a battle with Livingstone Bramble in Buffalo, New York. It was to be another Mancini "slugfest." This time, however, he came out on the losing end, defeated after 14 intense rounds. Mancini would lose his title, but not before a fierce effort that resulted in an overnight stay at a hospital and 71 stitches around one eye. Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Livingstone Bramble (born September 30, 1960) is a boxer from St. ... Nickname: Location of Buffalo in New York State County Erie County Government  - Mayor Byron Brown Area  - City 52. ...

Mancini was not finished, however. He returned to the ring twice to regain his world title. During a rematch with Bramble in 1985, Mancini famously quoted a line from the 1976 movie Rocky, when he said to referee Mills Lane, "If you stop it, I'll kill ya!" After a tenacious effort, Mancini lost the fight in a 15-round decision. His next attempt came in 1988, when he lost to Hector 'Macho' Camacho in a highly questionable split decision. Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the 1976 Gregorian calendar. ... Rocky is a 1976 film written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen. ... Mills Lane As seen on MTVs Celebrity Deathmatch. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Héctor Camacho (born May 24, 1962), nicknamed Macho Camacho, is a boxer. ...

Retirement and later work

Mancini retired officially in 1993, leaving a record of 29-5, with 23 knockouts. His legacy also included an inspirational story involving a young champion who had won the title as much for his family as for himself. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

More recently, Mancini realized his Hollywood dreams, appearing in as well as producing a handful of films. In addition, he gained new fans as a fight analyst for the Fox reality series, Celebrity Boxing. Mancini currently resides in Beverly Hills, California and owns the El Campeon Cigar Company. He remains accessible to fans where he reportedly enjoys talking, taking photos and signing autographs. ... Beverly Hills is a city in the western part of Los Angeles County, California. ...

On July 13th of 2007, Ray was a Guest on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

Mancini's career has enjoyed a curious afterlife in the realm of popular culture. Warren Zevon once wrote a song that tracked Mancini's career, up until his fight with Bobby Chacon. In the song, Boom Boom Mancini, Zevon evidently took artistic license when he described Mancini's response to the accidental death of Duk Koo Kim. The best known lyrics of the song are as follows: "When they asked him (Mancini) who was responsible for the death of Duk Koo Kim / he said 'someone should have stopped the fight,' and told me it was him." Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003) was an American rock and roll musician and songwriter. ...

Arturo Frias (born October 27, 1956) is a Chicano who was a world champion boxer. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Livingstone Bramble (born September 30, 1960) is a boxer from St. ...

External links

• Career Record
• Heart of a Champion: The Ray Mancini Story at the Internet Movie Database
• Ray Mancini at the Internet Movie Database
• Footage of the Mancini-Kim Bout