Jimmy Martinez |
| Posted 2007-12-21 by Edward Peed |
| Jimmy Martinez, 78, passed away April 13, 2007 at Thunderbird Hospital. He was born James Manuel Martinez February 14, 1929 in Glendale, Arizona to Santiago & Juanita Martinez. Jimmy was raised in Glendale; he left home at an early age to work on a farm owned by a Russian family who taught him to speak Russian, making him multilingual, Spanish, Russian, German and English. Hard work on the farm prepared him physically to become a fierce contender on the road to becoming a Golden Glove champion. As an amateur he was called "a wild right handed knockout swinger", which won him the title of Golden Glove champion. Jimmy's professional boxing career was from 1950 to 1959. He fought a total of 142 fights, 98 wins (24 KOs), 35 losses, and 9 draws. He was a Phoenix ring fan favorite, dubbed the Arizona Middleweight King. He was described in the many sports articles as "clever Jimmy", "knockout artist", "a classy, durable boxer", "formidable foe", "handsome", "hard to hit", "elusive", "fast & sharp, virtually unmarked and in demand". His style of boxing was compared to that of Rocky Castellani, he was billed as one of the busiest middleweights in the business which earned him the "have gloves, will travel" reputation. The "globe girdling" and "Globetrotter" names were earned from his extensive travels during his career. He fought in Australia, Spain, Germany, France, Jamaica, Africa and all across the United States. He was the only American in that time to fight in North and South Africa. Six of his fights were nationally televised. His last professional fight took place in Kingston, Jamaica. Due to the worsening bursitis in both shoulders, he retired shortly after. At the end of his boxing career he was described as "quick talking, good looking, happy, likable guy". That reputation followed him in the many career paths he took. His magnetic, charming personality made him many friends. People were always attracted to his quick wit and humor. He will be deeply missed. His story started from the Golden Glove, this dedication is made for Jimmy with Love. He is preceded in death by his parents Santiago & Juanita Martinez, brother Ernest Martinez killed in Korea, brother Joe Martinez, son Michael Wayne Martinez, and sister Mary (Henry) Ortega. He is survived by his brother Frank Robert (Genevieve) Martinez, sister Annie (Jack) Dolahan, brother Manny Martinez, brother Richard Martinez, brother Eddie Martinez, wife Penny Martinez, son James Martinez Jr., son Gary Martinez, son Marty Martinez, son Ben (Michelle) Martinez, son Micheal Martinez, many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Rosary will be held at 9:30 AM, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM, Today, April 20, 2007 at Sts. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix Published in The Arizona Republic on 4/20/2007. |
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