Paulino Uzcudun

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Paulino Uzcudun (born May 3, 1899 – died July 5, 1985) was a Basque heavyweight boxer, who is considered to be the greatest heavyweight from Spain. Uzcudun, known as Paulino in the United States, was the European heavyweight champion, and he fought heavyweight champions Joe Louis, Max Baer, Max Schmeling (thrice) and Primo Carnera during his career. The former butcher – incorrectly named 'the Basque woodchopper' – retired from boxing with a record of 50 wins (34KOs), 17 losses and 3 draws.

Uzcudun was a very rugged boxer who fought out of a crouch. He had a powerful left hook, and fought the toughest heavyweights of his time. He was afforded only one opportunity at the world's heavyweight championship, but was outpointed in a fifteen round fight by Primo Carnera of Italy on October 22, 1933.

Uzcudun also "retired" the famed Harry Wills, when he stopped him in four rounds on July 13, 1927. The tough and durable Uzcudun was never knocked off his feet, or kayoed until his last professional fight. On December 13, 1935, Uzcudun made the mistake of coming out of retirement to meet Joe Louis. In the fourth round, Louis hit Uzcudun with a swift, powerful right uppercut that knocked him down and refree stop the fight when Paulino wanted back.