Baby Arizmendi

Alberto "Baby" Arizmendi, born on March 17, 1913, in Torreón, Mexico, was a remarkable Mexican professional boxer who left an indelible mark on the sport despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life and career. Arizmendi's journey in boxing began as early as seven or eight years old, when he took up the sport to counter the effects of polio, which he had suffered from as a young child.

Arizmendi's fighting style was characterized by his charging, bruising approach, making him a formidable two-fisted fighter. He turned professional at the tender age of 13. He quickly made a name for himself, capturing the Mexican bantamweight title at just 18 years old with a twelve-round points decision against Kid Poncho in Mexico City. A victory over flyweight champion Fidel LaBarba further solidified his status as a top contender for the featherweight crown.

On September 16, 1932, at the age of 19, Arizmendi defeated reigning NBA world featherweight champion Tommy Paul in a close ten-round non-title fight, dropping him in the second and fourth rounds. This victory led to Arizmendi's claim for the NBA title, and the California Boxing Commission allowed him to fight for their version of the world title. Arizmendi seized this chance and defeated Newsboy Brown on October 18, 1932, to become the California world featherweight champion.

Arizmendi went on to defend his California title against seasoned contenders such as Varias Milling, Archie Bell, and Speedy Dado. However, he lost the title to NBA World featherweight champion Freddie Miller in a unification bout on February 28, 1933. Undeterred, Arizmendi persevered and later defeated Miller in a non-title fight.

On August 30, 1934, Arizmendi reached the pinnacle of his career when he defeated Mike Belloise for the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) world featherweight crown, cementing his claim to the championship. Despite his best efforts, Arizmendi could not secure a third fight with NBA champion Miller in a title bout, which somewhat affected his legacy.

Arizmendi engaged in a series of memorable bouts with the legendary Henry Armstrong throughout his career. He defeated Armstrong in their first two meetings in Mexico City, winning almost every round in their first encounter despite suffering a broken wrist in the second round. Arizmendi also defeated future world title holder Chalky Wright by fourth-round knockout.

Arizmendi's career was not without its setbacks, as he lost the California-Mexico World title to Armstrong in their third bout on August 4, 1936. He also suffered defeats against future lightweight champion Lou Ambers and Armstrong in their subsequent meetings. Nevertheless, Arizmendi's resilience and determination were evident in his ability to go the distance with Armstrong in their fourth bout, ending the latter's 27-fight knockout streak.

After retiring from boxing in 1942, Arizmendi served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and operated restaurants in Los Angeles. He faced health issues in his later years and sadly passed away on New Year's Eve 1963 at the age of 49, leaving behind his wife Henrietta and an illegitimate son, Raul Robert Arizmendi.

Alberto "Baby" Arizmendi's legacy was finally recognized when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. With a career record of 88 wins, 26 losses, and 14 draws, Arizmendi's journey in the ring was a testament to his unwavering spirit, remarkable skills, and ability to overcome adversity. His story inspires boxing enthusiasts worldwide, cementing his place as one of Mexico's most beloved and respected champions.