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José Legrá, Spanish Boxing Champion and Legend, Dies at 83
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

José Legrá, Spanish Boxing Champion and Legend, Dies at 83

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Spanish-Cuban boxing legend José Legrá has died at the age of 83.
  • Legrá was a two-time world featherweight champion and a seven-time European champion.
  • He is remembered as a charismatic figure who significantly contributed to Spanish boxing's golden era.

José Legrá, a towering figure in Spanish boxing and a celebrated legend of the 1960s and 70s, passed away in Madrid at the age of 83. Sources from the Royal Spanish Boxing Federation (RFEB) confirmed his death early Friday morning.

A great one is leaving us.

— Felipe MartínezPresident of the Royal Spanish Boxing Federation, mourning the loss of José Legrá.

Born in Cuba, Legrá became one of Spain's most popular athletes after achieving significant international success. He held the world featherweight title twice, first in 1968 and again in 1972. His dominance extended to the European stage, where he secured the European championship an impressive seven times. His career achievements were recognized in 2003 with the Silver Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit.

Felipe Martínez, president of the RFEB, expressed his condolences, calling Legrá "one of the great standard-bearers of the golden era of Spanish boxing." Martínez highlighted Legrá's substantial contributions to the sport and assured that the federation had offered its full support to his family.

Legrá was one of the great standard-bearers of the golden era of Spanish boxing, who did a lot for boxing.

— Felipe MartínezHighlighting Legrá's significance during a peak period for Spanish boxing.

Manel Berdonce, a former coach of the Spanish Olympic boxing team and a close associate of Legrá for two decades, shared emotional tributes. Berdonce categorized Legrá not just as a good boxer, a champion, or a star, but as a true "legend." He recalled Legrá's unique boxing style and charismatic personality, noting that he was nicknamed 'the little Cassius Clay.' Berdonce emphasized the grand and important legacy Legrá leaves for Spanish boxing, both through his athletic prowess and his conduct.

In boxing, there are good boxers, there are champions, there are stars, and there are legends. Pepe Legrá is a legend.

— Manel BerdonceA close associate of Legrá, placing him in the highest echelon of boxing history.

Berdonce also shared personal reflections on Legrá's later years, mentioning he had been living in a care home and suffered from "cognitive deterioration." Despite his health challenges, Berdonce described Legrá as a "very happy man who always lived with a smile," possessing a consistently good nature and maintaining his "eternal smile" until the very end.

He had a very particular boxing style, he was very charismatic.

— Manel BerdonceDescribing Legrá's unique appeal and fighting approach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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