Richie Lemos pugile

Richie Lemos (Feb 7, 1920 – October 18, 2004) was an American professional boxer in the Featherweight division. He became an NBA World Featherweight Champion in July 1941.Lemos was born in Los Angeles, near First and Main by the historic Olvera Street, on February 7, 1920. His parents were from Mexico, his mother Michaela from Guadalajara, Jalisco and his father Feliciano from Michoacán. Their struggling family would eventually have nine more children after his birth.Though American-born, his ring nicknames included "Plaza Mexican" and "Mexican Tiger."At only eighteen, on July 15, 1938, Lemos defeated prolific Philippine boxer Pablo Dano, holder of the 1935 California World Bantamweight Title, in a ten round points decision, though he was knocked to the mat twice. The bout took place at Gilmore Stadium in Lemos's hometown of Los Angeles. Five days after the bout, Lemos's manager announced Richie had injured his hand in the bout and would stay away from the ring for five weeks, though the time away stretched to three months.Lemos's father died three months later in November 1938, making Richie the sole supporter of his mother and nine young sisters and brothers.With a wife of his own, and a struggling family of siblings to support, Lemos fought often. His better paydays at the peak of his career averaged only $3500, about $42,000 in today's dollars, and a modest sum for a world champion boxer today.