Art Aragon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Art Aragon (November 13, 1927 – March 25, 2008^[1]), nicknamed "Golden Boy," was a lightweight professional boxer from New Mexico.

[edit] Personal life

Aragon was a native of Belen, New Mexico, but grew up in East Los Angeles. He was married four times and engaged a fifth time, and was romantically linked to Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and other Hollywood starlets. He had six acknowledged children. After retiring from boxing, Aragon went into the bail bonds business.^{[2] [3]}

[edit] Professional career

Aragon's first profession fight, a points win in May 1944, was against Frenchy Rene at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Aragon won his first eleven fights before dropping a decision to Bert White in October 1944. Aragon faced ever-tougher competition as his career progressed, eventually facing many of the great names from his era, including Tommy Campbell, Jesse Flores, Redtop Davis, Jimmy Carter and Carmen Basilio. Aragon also held victories over such men as Enrique Bolanos, Johnny Gonsalves, Lauro Salas, Don Jordan, Danny Giovanelli and Chico Vejar. Aragon retired in 1960 with a career record of 90 wins (61 by knockout), 20 losses, and 6 draws.^[4] Before his career ended, Aragon was dogged by accusations of conspiring to fix fights in his favor, including a conviction in California in February 1957.^[5] Similar allegations were made by other fighters afterwards but were never substantiated.

[edit] References