José Ribalta
Born
José Manuel Ribalta

(1963-03-31) March 31, 1963
Rodrigo, Cuba
NationalityCuban
Other namesEl Nino
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Reach80 in (203 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights56
Wins38
Wins by KO27
Losses17
Draws1

José Manuel Ribalta (born March 31, 1963) is a Cuban former professional boxer who competed in the heavyweight division from 1982 to 1999. A talented and physically imposing gatekeeper (6 ft 6 in tall with 80 in reach),[1] Ribalta is best known for his brave performance against Mike Tyson in 1986.[2]

Beside Tyson, Ribalta faced many notable fighters during the peak of his career, among which he had beaten former undisputed HW world champion Leon Spinks by 1st round stoppage,[3] lost to Frank Bruno also by stoppage, and was closely outpointed by Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Tony Tubbs, Michael Dokes and (controversely) James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Nearing retirement, he was stopped by Vitali Klitschko, Chris Byrd and Donovan "Razor" Ruddock.[4]

Early life

Ribalta's family fled Cuba by way of the Freedom Flights in 1967 and settled in Adams Morgan area of Washington, D.C. Then four years later the family moved to Miami, the city with the largest Cuban diaspora outside of Cuba. Both of his older brothers (all three were named José) were boxers. The oldest brother (the first to move to the United States) competed in the welterweight division and had three professional fights in the US. The middle of the three brothers was a boxer in Cuba, where he faced Teófilo Stevenson three times in the amateur ring and lost to him three times, and also fought Aziz Salihu. The younger José started boxing in the United States in the mid-1970s. He did not go through the Cuban school, but became the best known of the Ribalta brothers.[5]

Professional career

Ribalta made his professional debut in 1982. He had 10 straight wins. In 1983, he lost to Ricardo Richardson by TKO in the 7th round. Then Ribalta won another 7 fights. Advancing on the list of professional boxing rankings, Ribalta made his living as a sparring partner for WBC champion Trevor Berbick and title contender Gerry Cooney.[6]

In July 1985, his first nationally televised bout took place against James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Ribalta lost by a split decision. The audience was loudly outraged by the decision of the judges, and Ribalta considered that he was "robbed". In September 1985, Ribalta faced Marvis Frazier. After a close battle, Frazier won the fight by a majority decision. In May 1986, he was knocked down by David Jaco, but managed to turn the tide of the fight and won by knockout in the fifth round.

On 17 August 1986, Ribalta faced Mike Tyson in a fight broadcast on HBO prepaid at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. At the time of the fight, Ribalta was ranked #10 in the WBC ranking. In the fight, Ribalta was knocked down three times and eventually lost by TKO in the 10th round, when the fight was stopped after Tyson's next series of strikes landed on Ribalta, who was pressed against the ropes. Tyson hit Ribalta 220 times. In 2014, Tyson rated Ribalta as the strongest opponent he faced, and the one with the best chin.[7]

In 1987, Ribalta defeated Leon Spinks, knocking him down three times in the first round. Then he defeated Mark Young and Steve Zouski.

In 1990, Ribalta faced Tim Witherspoon and lost by majority decision.

In 1991, he lost to Bruce Seldon and Pierre Coetzer.

In April 1992, he was knocked out by Frank Bruno in the 2nd round. In October 1992, Ribalta faced Michael Dokes and lost by unanimous decision.

In September 1993, he lost against Larry Holmes by unanimous decision. In December 1993, Ribalta lost a unanimous decision in a 3-round bout against Tony Tubbs in a national heavyweight tournament in the Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.

In 1994, Ribalta lost against Joe Hipp by knockout in the 2nd round. Then he won five fights, which were followed by losses against Axel Schulz, Larry Donald, Vitali Klitschko, and Chris Byrd.

In 1999, Ribalta lost by knockout in the 1st round against Donovan Ruddock, after which he retired from professional boxing.

He was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.[8]

Ribalta is the author of “Courage In The Ring“, his autobiography of his life as a professional athlete.

Professional boxing record

56 fights 38 wins 17 losses
By knockout 27 9
By decision 10 8
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
56 Loss 38–17–1 Canada Donovan Ruddock TKO 1 (10), 1:40 Oct 8, 1999 United States Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
55 Loss 38–16–1 United States Chris Byrd RTD 3 (10), 3:00 Jun 3, 1999 United States Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
54 Loss 38–15–1 Ukraine Vitali Klitschko TKO 2 (8), 2:13 Jun 5, 1998 Germany Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
53 Loss 38–14–1 United States Larry Donald TKO 6 (10) Jul 15, 1997 United States Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, New York
52 Loss 38–13–1 Germany Axel Schulz UD 10 Dec 7, 1996 Austria Vienna, Austria
51 Win 38–12–1 United States James Holley TKO 1 (10) Apr 6, 1996 United States Peel's Palace, Erlanger, Kentucky, U.S.
50 Win 37–12–1 United States Bruce Johnson KO 1 (10) Dec 9, 1995 United States MARK of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois, U.S.
49 Win 36–12–1 United States Carlton West TKO 1 (10) Oct 11, 1995 United States International Ballroom, Washington, D.C., U.S.
48 Win 35–12–1 United States George Harris TKO 2 (10) Sep 22, 1995 United States Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
47 Win 34–12–1 United States John Basil Jackson PTS 8 (10) Mar 15, 1995 United States Harmarville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46 Loss 33–12–1 United States Joe Hipp KO 2 (12), 1:53 May 10, 1994 United States Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S. For NABF heavyweight title
45 Loss 33–11–1 United States Tony Tubbs UD 3 Dec 3, 1993 United States Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
44 Win 33–10–1 United Kingdom Derek Williams SD 3 Dec 3, 1993 United States Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
43 Loss 32–10–1 United States Larry Holmes UD 10 Sep 28, 1993 United States Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
42 Win 32–9–1 United States Wes Turner TKO 4 Jul 10, 1993 United States Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41 Loss 31-9–1 United States Michael Dokes UD 10 Oct 6, 1992 United States Mahi Shrine Temple, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
40 Loss 31–8–1 United Kingdom Frank Bruno KO 2 (10), 1:44 Apr 22, 1992 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England
39 Loss 31–7–1 South Africa Pierre Coetzer PTS 10 May 11, 1991 United States Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
38 Loss 31–6–1 United States Bruce Seldon RTD 3 (10), 3:00 Jan 11, 1991 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
37 Loss 31–5–1 United States Tim Witherspoon MD 10 Jul 19, 1990 United States Kingdome, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
36 Win 31–4–1 United States Michael Johnson KO 2 Feb 9, 1990 Spain Palacio de los Deportes, Zaragoza, Spain
35 Win 30–4–1 United States Jose Allencastro KO 2 Oct 6, 1989 Spain Zaragoza, Spain
34 Win 29–4–1 United States Jeff Sims UD 10 Jul 21, 1989 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
33 Win 28–4–1 United States Jerry Hairston KO 1 Jun 2, 1989 United States Holiday Inn, Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
32 Win 27–4–1 United States Jose Garcia KO 1 Jun 3, 1988 United States Raleigh County Armory, Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
31 Win 26-4-1 United States Steve Zouski UD 10 Sep 12, 1987 United States James L. Knight Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
30 Win 25–4–1 United States Mark Young UD 10 May 16, 1987 United States Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
29 Win 24–4–1 United States Leon Spinks TKO 1 (10), 2:10 Jan 17, 1987 United States Coconut Grove Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
28 Win 23–4–1 United States John Williams TKO 2 (10), 0:50 Sep 26, 1986 United States Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
27 Loss 22–4–1 United States Mike Tyson TKO 10 (10), 1:37 Aug 17, 1986 United States Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26 Win 22–3–1 United States Rick Kellar KO 1 (10) Jun 20, 1986 United States Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
25 Win 21–3–1 United States David Jaco KO 5 (10) May 13, 1986 United States Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
24 Win 20–3–1 United States Jeff Freeney KO 1 (10) Apr 4, 1986 United States Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
23 Win 19–3–1 United States Al Houck KO 3 (10) Mar 4, 1986 United States Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
22 Loss 18–3–1 United States Marvis Frazier MD 10 Sep 11, 1985 United States Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 18–2–1 United States Ernie Barr UD 10 Jul 23, 1985 United States Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
20 Loss 17–2–1 United States James Smith SD 10 Apr 29, 1985 United States Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
19 Draw 17–1–1 United States Cecil Coffee PTS 10 Oct 18, 1984 United States Atlantis Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 17–1 United States Nate Robinson TKO 2 (8) Jul 26, 1984 United States Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 United States Jimmy Jones PTS 8 Mar 8, 1984 United States James Knight Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Argentina Juan Antonio Figueroa DQ 7 (10) Dec 15, 1983 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 United Kingdom Ishaq Hussein TKO 6 (6) Oct 25, 1983 United States Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14 Win 13–1 United States Robert Evans UD 8 Sep 1, 1983 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Win 12–1 United States Tom Prater UD 8 Jun 3, 1983 United States Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
12 Win 11–1 United States Ron Harry TKO 6 (8) Apr 29, 1983 United States Ventura Skating Center, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
11 Loss 10–1 Puerto Rico Ricardo Richardson TKO 7 (10) Feb 18, 1983 United States Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 United States Miles Prince TKO 2 Jan 14, 1983 United States Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 United States Nate Robinson TKO 5 Nov 6, 1982 United States War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United States John L Johnson KO 1 Oct 21, 1982 United States Ventura Skating Center, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 United States Al Leticky KO 1 (8) Sep 30, 1982 United States Ventura Skating Center, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 United States Curtis Gaskins TKO 2 (6) Jul 20, 1982 United States War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 United States Gabriel Saenz KO 2 (6) Jul 9, 1982 United States Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Kenneth Wring KO 3 (6) Jun 18, 1982 United States Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Ken Davis UD 4 May 21, 1982 United States Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Douglas Fowler KO 2 (4) Feb 5, 1982 United States North Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States J C Richardson TKO 1 (4) Jan 20, 1982 United States War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.

References

  1. "Jose Ribalta - Still chasing Mike Tyson". SecondsOut Boxing News. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  2. Berger, Phil; Times, Special To the New York (1986-08-18). "TYSON WINS 26TH, KNOCKS OUT RIBALTA". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  3. Archives, L. A. Times (1987-01-18). "Decked Three Times, Leon Spinks Stopped in First Round". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  4. "From Mike Tyson to Vitali Klitschko: Jose Ribalta Speaks to RSR about Boxing Career". RingSide Report. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  5. Mike Tyson vs Jose Ribalta 26th of 58 Aug. 1986, HBO.
  6. Jose Ribalta confident he can defeat Tyson in tonight's fight (UPI), Abbeville Meridional, August 17, 1986, Page 9A.
  7. "Best I faced: Mike Tyson". The Ring. 13 May 2018.
  8. "Former heavyweight Jose Ribalta set to join Florida Boxing Hall of Fame". Miami Herald. 16 June 2014.
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