Jimmy Martinez by Rob Snell

[Mofo2]

Jimmy Martinez

Middleweight

1950 – 1959

W 98 (KO 23) + L 35 (KO 4) + D 10 = 143

Birth Name: James Manuel Martinez

Born: February 14, 1929, Glendale, AZ

Died: April 13, 2007, Glendale, AZ

Buried: Resthaven Park West Cemetery, Glendale, AZ

Manager: Bobby O’Dowd

Jimmy was raised in Glendale. He left home at an early age to work on a farm owned by a Russian family who taught him to speak Russian, making him multilingual, Spanish, Russian, German and English. Hard work on the farm prepared him physically to become a fierce contender on the road to becoming a Golden Glove champion. As an amateur he was called "a wild right handed knockout swinger", which won him the title of Golden Glove champion. Jimmy's professional boxing career was from 1950 to 1959. He was a Phoenix ring fan favorite, dubbed the Arizona Middleweight King. He was described in the many sports articles as "clever Jimmy", "knockout artist", "a classy, durable boxer", "formidable foe", "handsome", "hard to hit", "elusive", "fast & sharp, virtually unmarked and in demand." His style of boxing was compared to that of Rocky Castellani, he was billed as one of the busiest middleweights in the business which earned him the "have gloves, will travel" reputation. The "globe girdling" and "Globetrotter" names were earned from his extensive travels during his career. He fought in Australia, Spain, Germany, France, Jamaica, Africa and all across the United States. He was the only American in that time to fight in North and South Africa. Six of his fights were nationally televised. His last professional fight took place in Kingston, Jamaica. Due to the worsening bursitis in both shoulders, he retired shortly after. At the end of his boxing career he was described as "quick talking, good looking, happy, likable guy". That reputation followed him in the many career paths he took. His magnetic, charming personality made him many friends. People were always attracted to his quick wit and humor. He will be deeply missed. Services were held April 20, 2007 at Sts. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ.

Jimmy was good friends with the late country-western singer/songwriter, Marty Robbins. Marty wrote and recorded a song in 1966 entitled “Jimmy Martinez†in honor of their friendship. The song was published on Marty’s “Saddle Tramp†album. Jimmy was so proud of the song, he used to carry his 45rpm copy of it with him. After Jimmy retired from boxing, he was a bartender at the 307 Club in Phoenix, AZ. Every time you went to the jukebox to play a song, Jimmy would request “his†song and laugh. He was very proud of his close relationship with Marty. I knew Jimmy very well and played this song for him at the club more times than I can remember.

Some of Jimmy’s opponents include Eddie Williams, Al Hernandez, Hank Davis, Kid Zacaratas, Earl Turner, Spider Webb, Willie Pastrano, Joe Miceli, Phil Moyer, Tony Dupas, Tony Montano, Milo Savage, and Jimmy Beecham.