Ruben Navarro

Biography

Ruben Navarro, affectionately known as "The Maravilla Kid," was a dynamic lightweight boxer from East Los Angeles, California. Born on August 5, 1946, Navarro began his boxing journey at the Eastside Boy's Club under the guidance of Marty Denkin, a future Hall of Fame referee. This early training laid the foundation for his professional career, which kicked off on January 20, 1967. Although details about his amateur career are scarce, his professional debut marked the beginning of a promising journey in the boxing world.

Navarro's professional career spanned seven years, during which he participated in 43 bouts, showcasing his formidable punching power with a knockout rate of 45.45%. His most notable bout was against Ken Buchanan, the undisputed world lightweight champion, on February 12, 1971. This fight was a testament to Navarro's resilience and determination, as he faced Buchanan on short notice after the original opponent, Mando Ramos, withdrew due to injury. Despite a strong start, where he nearly knocked Buchanan down in the first round, Navarro eventually lost by decision. This bout highlighted his ability to compete at the highest level, even against world-class opponents.

Navarro faced several world-class fighters throughout his career, but the Buchanan bout remains his most significant encounter. His career was marked by a mix of victories and defeats, but he consistently demonstrated his ability to challenge top-tier opponents. Navarro's final professional outing took place on October 18, 1974, marking the end of a career that, while not crowned with a world title, was filled with memorable performances and a reputation for being a formidable lightweight contender.