15| Cinco De Mayo Special: “Mexican Style” Boxing w/ Matt Sedillo & Rudy Mondragon
Feliz Cinco De Mayo! I am joined on the podcast this week by Xicano poet and author, Matt Sedillo, of Tele-Jaguar; and by Rudy Mondragon, co-host of The Split Draw Podcast.
The episode is all about “Mexican-Style” boxing, and Matt and Rudy discuss their ongoing project on “Mexican-Style” boxing. They both get into the actual boxing style, the narratives, stereotypes, and contradictions associated with “Mexican-Style” boxing. Matt and Rudy also push back against the racist stereotypes that “Mexican-Style” boxing is unskilled, savage, and un-scientific; narratives pushed by the white boxing establishment. However, Mexican and Xicana/o boxers, and even European boxers such as Gennady Golovkin, aka “Triple G,” embrace the style and narratives of Mexican-Style boxing.
We also discussed and previewed the Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola fight on May 1, 2021 (we now know Ruiz Jr. won with a unanimous decision) and the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders annual Cinco De Mayo fight this upcoming Saturday, May 8, 2021. I also asked Matt and Rudy who their favorite Mexican/Xicano fighters of all time are.
I end the podcast with my Molotov MVP, Muhammad Ali, and my second Xicana/o Sports History segment on legendary Chicano movement activist and Crusade For Justice founder, Rodolfo ‘Corky’ Gonzales. Corky was not only one of the most important figures of the Chicano movement, but he was also a former professional boxer, who retired in 1955 with a 63-11-1 record. Que Viva Corky!
You can purchase Matt’s latest book, “Mowing Leaves of Grass” here, and check out Rudy and The Split Draw Podcast on Spotify. Visit their websites at mattsedillo.com and rudymondragon.com
As always, you can listen, subscribe, and download the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer…and now on Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, and Pandora!
Links:
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/boxing/historic-andy-ruiz-win-jolts-elation-among-mexican-americans (Matt and Rudy are mentioned)
Colorado Virtual Library on Corky Gonzales:
Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales: Boxer, Writer, Activist
“I am Joquin” by Corky Gonzales
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