José Legrá dies, the boxer who went from poverty to opulence and liked Franco

José Legrá, a Spanish boxer who rose from poverty to fame and fortune before succumbing to illness, has died. He was 84. Legrá, known affectionately as "El Puma de Baracoa," passed away at the Gómez Ulla Hospital in Madrid after a long battle with multiple health issues. His death marks the end of a life that spanned decades of boxing glory, personal triumphs, and financial missteps. Born in Cuba in 1942, Legrá came from a family of seven siblings. As a child, he worked as a shoeshiner, dishwasher, and newspaper vendor. At just 15 years old, he moved to Havana to pursue a career in professional boxing. When Fidel Castro's regime banned boxing, Legrá relocated to Mexico and later to Miami, where he trained under legendary figures such as Angelo Dundee and Cassius Clay. There, he earned the nickname "The Pocket Cassius Clay." Legrá made his professional debut in Spain in 1963, invited by Kin Tunero, a former Cuban boxing great and close friend of Ignacio Ara. He won his first match by knockout in the sixth round against Moroccan fighter Ben Layachi. Tunero helped shape Legrá into a champion, though he did not guide him through the complexities of everyday life. In 1966, Legrá obtained Spanish citizenship through Vicente Gil, a personal doctor to General Francisco Franco and president of the Spanish Boxing Federation. By 1967, he had claimed the European title by knocking out Ivan Desmarets in the third round. Over the course of his career, Legrá became a seven-time European champion between 1967 and 1972 and held two world titles, defeating Howard Winstone in 1968. His fights against notable names such as Johnny Famechon, Clemente Sánchez, Eder Jofre, Tomasso Galli, Jimmy Revie, Giovanni Girgenti, Evan Armstrong, Tommy Glencloss, and Daniel Vermandere remain etched in the annals of boxing history. One of his most memorable defeats came in 1973 in Managua, where a young Alexis Argüello knocked him out in the first round. After 148 fights—133 wins, 11 losses, and four draws, Legrá retired at age 30. Despite his success in the ring, Legrá struggled financially outside of boxing. He invested in ventures such as a shoe store and a laundry business, which failed due to poor advice or deception. He once joked that he had collected nearly 100 pairs of shoes during his career, "almost all white." His personal life was marked by charm and charisma, with numerous relationships and a reputation for being well-liked among women. Franco, who had a deep admiration for Legrá, often hosted him at his residence in El Pardo and gifted him a luxury car, an Oldsmobile, referred to colloquially as a "haiga." The boxer’s life reflected a journey from extreme poverty to wealth, only to return to hardship in his later years. Supported by friends such as José María García, Manuel Berdonce, and Juan Flores, Legrá spent his final years in a residential facility, battling multiple illnesses. In recent years, Legrá lived in a care home, relying on the support of his friends both financially and emotionally. His passing comes after a prolonged period of declining health, leaving behind a legacy that encapsulates the highs and lows of a man who achieved greatness in the ring but faced challenges beyond sport. Legrá’s story is one of resilience, fame, and eventual decline, a narrative familiar to many who rise from humble beginnings to achieve success, only to face new trials. His influence on Spanish boxing and his personal charisma will be remembered by fans and historians alike.