Former Champion Dies

Wed., July 10, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Luis Rodriguez, a slick Cuban welterweight with a wallop, has died.

The former 147-pound champ, who won 107 of 120 pro fights with 49 knockouts, died Monday at a Miami Beach, Fla., hospital. Rodriguez, 59, underwent kidney dialysis the last two years.

“He belonged with the great ones,” Angelo Dundee, who trained Rodriguez for most of his fights, said. “He was a boxer-puncher. He was quick with great balance.”

In 1963, Rodriguez won the world welterweight title on a unanimous decision over Emile Griffith.

WBC welterweight champ Pernell Whitaker will fight a rematch against Wilfredo Rivera on Sept. 20 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The co-feature is another rematch, with IBF junior lightweight champion Arturo Gatti KOs) defending his title against Tracy Harris Patterson.

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Former Champion Dies

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