Francisco Rodríguez (boxer, born 1945)

This article is about the Venezuelan boxer. For the Mexican boxer, see Francisco Rodriguez (boxer, born 1984).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Brito.
Francisco Rodríguez
Personal information
Full name Francisco Antonio Rodríguez Brito
Nickname(s) Morochito
Nationality Venezuelan
Born September 20, 1945
Cumaná, Sucre
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 132 lb (60 kg)
Sport
Sport Boxing
Rated at Light Flyweight and Flyweight

Francisco Antonio Rodríguez Brito (born September 20, 1945) is a retired Venezuelan boxer. At the 1968 Summer Olympics he won the gold medal in the inaugural men's light flyweight (– 48 kg) division, after having claimed the gold as well at the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games. He carried the flag for his native country at the opening ceremony at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.

Amateur career

Rodriguez, nicknamed "Morochito", was Venezuela's first Olympic gold medalist, winning gold in the light flyweight division in its inaugural year of competition, 1968. His amateur record stood at 266 wins, 4 losses.

After the Olympics, Rodríguez signed a professional contract. Before fighting he took his mother to a pro bout. At one point, one of the boxers' bloody mouthpiece landed in Rodriguez's mother's lap. She begged Rodriguez to give up fighting and he cancelled his contract.

Olympic results

1968

1972

Honors

He was inducted into the Venezuelan Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

References