Lupe Pintor - Early Life & Career

Early Life & Career

Lupe Pintor was born into a poor, working-class family in Cuajimalpa, just outside of Mexico City in 1955 and is alleged to have had an extremely violent relationship with his father, eventually forcing him to run away. He lived for a time on the city streets, learning how to look after himself and began boxing professionally in 1974.

He opened his account with a second round knockout of Manuel Vázquez and immediately stepped up to ten round bouts, claiming a decision over Francisco Nunez on his next outing. He suffered his first loss three fights later, when disqualified against Magarito Lozano, but claimed victory in his next eight bouts, seven by knockout, including wins over notables Juan Díaz, Rocky Mijares and Willie Jespen.

Pintor first boxed future World Bantamweight Champion Alberto Davila on February 25, 1976, losing a decision over ten rounds, then embarked on a winning streak of some twenty two fights in a row. Amongst the fighters he beat during this period were Gerald Hayes - who later conquered Juan Laporte) - and Antonio Becerra, one of the few men ever to get the better of Salvador Sánchez.

He then travelled to Puerto Rico, where he lost a ten round decision to Leo Cruz - himself a future world champion. Returning to Mexico, Pintor lost for the second time in a row, carelessly dropping a decision to journeyman Jose Luis Soto. Another winning streak, comprising five fights in a row, all by way of knockout and he was ready for a shot at the world title.