Curtis Cokes
# Curtis Cokes

Curtis Cokes (June 15, 1937 – May 29, 2020) was a boxer from Dallas, Texas, United States. Cokes was the simultaneous WBA, WBC and The Ring World Welterweight Champion, and he was famous for his training regimen, which he also imposed on other boxers training with him.

## Pre-championship career

On March 24, 1958, Cokes began to box professionally, defeating Manuel Gonzalez, whom he would later fight for the world title, in a six-round decision. He won eleven fights in a row, including a second match with Gonzalez, before losing to Gonzalez in their third fight, on April 27, 1959. His next fight, against Garland Randall on June 18 of the same year, ended in a three-round no contest. He and Randall had an immediate rematch and on August 27, he knocked out Randall in the first round. He had an additional fourteen fights, going 11-2-1 in that span (his one draw was against Kenny Lane, a boxer who twice challenged Carlos Ortiz for world championships), before facing Luis Rodriguez, another world welterweight champion, on September 3, 1961. He beat Rodriguez by a ten-round decision, outpointed Gonzalez in their fourth fight, and lost to Rodriguez in their second fight, also by points. He went 13–4 in his next seventeen fights, and, after losing in a ten-round decision to Eddie Pace at Los Angeles, California, on August 27, 1964, he announced his retirement. On October 14 of that year, however, he announced he was returning to boxing.

## Championship

After winning three fights in a row, he and Gonzalez were matched for a fifth time, on August 24, 1966, this time for the WBA/WBC vacant world welterweight title, in New Orleans. Cokes outpointed Manuel Gonzalez to become world welterweight champion. On November 28 of 1966, he retained the crown against Jean Josselin of France in a fifteen-round decision. Nat Fleischer was one of the judges for that fight.

On May 19, 1967, he retained the title with a tenth-round knockout of Francois Villeiman, and on October 2, he met Charlie Shipes, who was recognized as champion in California. He knocked Shipes out in eight rounds in Oakland.

On April 18, 1968, he retained his title with a fifth-round knockout of Willie Ludick, and on October 21, with a fifteen-round decision over Ramon La Cruz.

## Post-championship career

Cokes lost the world welterweight title on April 18 of 1969, being knocked out by Cuban José Nápoles in thirteen rounds, in Los Angeles. On June 29 the pair had a rematch, in Nápoles' adopted hometown of Mexico City, Mexico, and Nápoles repeated his victory, this time by a tenth-round knockout.

Cokes had eleven more fights before retiring, winning seven, losing three and drawing in one. His last three fights were in South Africa. He retired after a ten-round decision win against Ezra Mnzinyane on October 5 of 1972.

Cokes had a record of 62 wins, 14 losses and four draws, with 30 wins by knockout.

## After boxing

Cokes became a trainer after he retired. Some of the fighters he worked with include Quincy Taylor and Ike Ibeabuchi.

Cokes also made one film appearance in the year of his retirement. He appeared in the 1972 John Huston film Fat City alongside future Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges and Stacy Keach.

In 2003, Cokes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

## Death

Cokes died at age 82 of heart failure on May 29, 2020.

## Professional boxing record

| 80 fights | 62 wins | 14 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 30 | 3 |
| By decision | 32 | 11 |
| Draws | 4 | 4 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 80 | Win | 62–14–4 | Ezra Mzinyane | PTS | 10 | Oct 5, 1972 | Langa Stadium, Cape Town | |
| 79 | Win | 61–14–4 | Joseph Hali | PTS | 10 | Sep 23, 1972 | Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth | |
| 78 | Loss | 60–14–4 | Elijah Makhathini | PTS | 10 | Sep 9, 1972 | Curries Fountain, Durban | |
| 77 | Loss | 60–13–4 | Carlos Alberto Salinas | SD | 10 | Dec 2, 1971 | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento | |
| 76 | Loss | 60–12–4 | Rafael Gutierrez | SD | 10 | May 24, 1972 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco | |
| 75 | Draw | 60–11–4 | Fate Davis | PTS | 10 | Mar 17, 1971 | Armory, Akron | |
| 74 | Win | 60–11–3 | Billy Braggs | TKO | 6 (10) | Nov 3, 1970 | Eagles Club, Milwaukee | |
| 73 | Win | 59–11–3 | Harold Richardson | UD | 10 | Sep 29, 1970 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 72 | Win | 58–11–3 | Fate Davis | UD | 10 | Sep 11, 1970 | Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth | |
| 71 | Win | 57–11–3 | Danny Perez | TKO | 7 (10) | Aug 10, 1970 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 70 | Win | 56–11–3 | Roberto Pena | KO | 5 (10) | Jan 27, 1970 | Convention Center, Fort Worth | |
| 69 | Loss | 55–11–3 | José Nápoles | RTD | 10 (15) | Jun 29, 1969 | Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City | For WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 68 | Loss | 55–10–3 | José Nápoles | RTD | 13 (15) | Apr 18, 1969 | Forum, Inglewood | Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 67 | Win | 55–9–3 | Don Cobbs | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 10, 1969 | Arena Exposition Hall, Saint Louis | |
| 66 | Win | 54–9–3 | Ramon La Cruz | UD | 15 | Oct 21, 1968 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans | Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 65 | Win | 53–9–3 | Joseph Sishi | KO | 5 (10) | Jul 5, 1968 | New Kingsmead Soccer Stadium, Durban | |
| 64 | Win | 52–9–3 | Willie Ludick | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 29, 1968 | Praça de Touros Monumental de Lourenço Marques, Maputo | |
| 63 | Win | 51–9–3 | Joe N'Gidi | RTD | 4 (10) | Jun 15, 1968 | Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg | |
| 62 | Win | 50–9–3 | Willie Ludick | TKO | 5 (15) | Apr 16, 1968 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 61 | Win | 49–9–3 | Jimmy Lester | UD | 10 | Mar 15, 1968 | Auditorium, Oakland | |
| 60 | Win | 48–9–3 | Jean Josselin | UD | 10 | Feb 5, 1968 | Palais des Sports, Paris | |
| 59 | Win | 47–9–3 | Charley Shipes | TKO | 8 (15) | Oct 2, 1967 | Oakland Arena, Oakland | Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 58 | Win | 46–9–3 | Francois Pavilla | TKO | 10 (15) | May 19, 1967 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 57 | Loss | 45–9–3 | Gypsy Joe Harris | UD | 10 | Mar 31, 1967 | Madison Square Garden, New York | |
| 56 | Win | 45–8–3 | Mike Cruz | KO | 3 (10) | Feb 20, 1967 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 55 | Draw | 44–8–3 | Francois Pavilla | PTS | 10 | Jan 23, 1967 | Palais des Sports, Paris | |
| 54 | Win | 44–8–2 | Jean Josselin | UD | 15 | Nov 28, 1966 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | Retained WBA and NYSAC welterweight titles; Won vacant WBC and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 53 | Win | 43–8–2 | Enrique Cruz | KO | 7 (10) | Sep 27, 1966 | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi | |
| 52 | Win | 42–8–2 | Manuel Gonzalez | UD | 15 | Aug 24, 1966 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans | Won vacant WBA and NYSAC welterweight titles |
| 51 | Win | 41–8–2 | Luis Manuel Rodriguez | TKO | 15 (15) | Jul 6, 1966 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans | |
| 50 | Win | 40–8–2 | Billy Collins | UD | 12 | Dec 13, 1965 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans | |
| 49 | Win | 39–8–2 | Fortunato Manca | PTS | 10 | Apr 23, 1965 | Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma | |
| 48 | Win | 38–8–2 | Marshall Wells | TKO | 12 (12) | Mar 15, 1965 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 47 | Loss | 37–8–2 | Eddie Pace | PTS | 10 | Aug 27, 1964 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles | |
| 46 | Win | 37–7–2 | Al Andrews | PTS | 10 | Aug 10, 1964 | Kearney Bowl, Fresno | |
| 45 | Win | 36–7–2 | Al Andrews | UD | 10 | Jun 9, 1964 | Castaways Hotel, Las Vegas | |
| 44 | Win | 35–7–2 | Tony Montano | UD | 10 | May 12, 1964 | Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque | |
| 43 | Loss | 34–7–2 | Stanley Hayward | TKO | 4 (10) | May 1, 1964 | Blue Horizon, Philadelphia | |
| 42 | Win | 34–6–2 | Flory Olguin | TKO | 5 (12) | May 30, 1963 | Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque | |
| 41 | Win | 33–6–2 | Stan Harrington | UD | 10 | May 21, 1963 | Civic Auditorium, Honolulu | |
| 40 | Loss | 32–6–2 | Jose Stable | UD | 10 | Apr 20, 1963 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens | |
| 39 | Win | 32–5–2 | Joey Parks | KO | 5 (10) | Feb 25, 1963 | Wichita Falls | |
| 38 | Win | 31–5–2 | Johnny Newman | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 11, 1963 | Moulin Rouge, Hollywood | |
| 37 | Win | 30–5–2 | Gregorio Ceniceros | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 10, 1962 | Dallas | |
| 36 | Win | 29–5–2 | Hubert Jackson | KO | 1 (10) | Nov 11, 1962 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 35 | Loss | 28–5–2 | Manuel Alvarez | UD | 10 | Sep 8, 1962 | Monterrey | |
| 34 | Win | 28–4–2 | Joey Limas | UD | 10 | Aug 22, 1962 | Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque | |
| 33 | Win | 27–4–2 | Rudolph Bent | KO | 8 (10) | May 11, 1962 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 32 | Win | 26–4–2 | Hilario Morales | TKO | 5 (10) | Apr 6, 1962 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 31 | Win | 25–4–2 | Kid Rayo | SD | 10 | Feb 13, 1962 | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio | |
| 30 | Win | 24–4–2 | Carlos Macias | TKO | 4 (10) | Jan 23, 1962 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston | |
| 29 | Loss | 23–4–2 | Luis Manuel Rodríguez | UD | 10 | Dec 2, 1961 | Convention Center, Miami Beach | |
| 28 | Win | 23–3–2 | Manuel Gonzalez | UD | 10 | Sep 14, 1961 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 27 | Win | 22–3–2 | Luis Manuel Rodríguez | SD | 10 | Aug 3, 1961 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 26 | Draw | 21–3–2 | Kenny Lane | PTS | 10 | Jun 8, 1961 | Texas Livestock Coliseum, Dallas | |
| 25 | Loss | 21–3–1 | Hilario Morales | UD | 10 | Apr 4, 1961 | Auditorio Municipal, Ciudad Juarez | |
| 24 | Win | 21–2–1 | Charley Tombstone Smith | UD | 10 | Feb 13, 1961 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 23 | Win | 20–2–1 | Joe Miceli | UD | 10 | Jan 16, 1961 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 22 | Win | 19–2–1 | Stefan Redl | TKO | 8 (10) | Oct 24, 1960 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 21 | Win | 18–2–1 | Joe Louis Hargrove | TKO | 2 (10) | Sep 13, 1960 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 20 | Win | 17–2–1 | Pete Ruiz | TKO | 3 (8) | Jul 29, 1960 | Dudley Field, El Paso | |
| 19 | Win | 16–2–1 | Lovell Jenkins | PTS | 8 | Mar 1, 1960 | Sports Arena, Amarillo | |
| 18 | Win | 15–2–1 | Aman Peck | TKO | 5 (8) | Dec 14, 1959 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 17 | Loss | 14–2–1 | Frankie Davis | SD | 6 | Dec 2, 1959 | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston | |
| 16 | Win | 14–1–1 | Mel Ferguson | UD | 8 | Sep 14, 1959 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 15 | Win | 13–1–1 | Reggie Williams | KO | 5 (6) | Aug 27, 1959 | Memorial Stadium, Baton Rouge | |
| 14 | Win | 12–1–1 | Rip Randall | KO | 1 (6) | Jul 27, 1959 | | |
| 13 | Draw | 11–1–1 | Rip Randall | TD | 2 (6) | May 18, 1959 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 12 | Loss | 11–1 | Manuel Gonzalez | SD | 10 | Apr 27, 1959 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Henry Watson | PTS | 4 | Apr 1, 1959 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Babe McCarron | TKO | 3 (8) | Jan 20, 1959 | Fair Park Coliseum, Lubbock | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Ruben Flores | PTS | 6 | Dec 1, 1958 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Manuel Gonzalez | SD | 8 | Nov 22, 1958 | Fair Park Coliseum, Lubbock | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Elmo Tex Henderson | UD | 6 | Oct 27, 1958 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Sammy Williams | TKO | 6 (6) | Jun 30, 1958 | Memorial Auditorium, Dallas | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Cecil Courtney | UD | 6 | May 26, 1958 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Babe Vance | UD | 6 | May 12, 1958 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jimmy Leach | UD | 6 | Apr 28, 1958 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Gil Tapia | PTS | 4 | Apr 7, 1958 | Sportatorium, Dallas | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Manuel Gonzalez | PTS | 6 | Mar 24, 1958 | Midland High School Gym, Midland | |
