The first real idol and boxing icon of Mexico, Raúl “Ratón” Macías, Bantamweight World Champion, has passed away at a very young 72 years old. He truly made a whole country love him.
I was very fortunate to know him personally during all the years that I worked in the World Boxing Council as assistant to its president, Mr. José Sulaimán.
Mr. Macías was always a very humble and unassuming man despite his success in boxing and the recognition he always received from the people in Mexico. As Mr. Sulaimán told me “He was the only athlete who met every living President of his country”. He could pick up the phone and ask to speak with any high level politician or business man in Mexico and always get through.
In his personal life, he was an honest man, hard-working and loyal to his family and friends. He was never involved in any scandal, and he retained his easy manner and friendliness wherever he went.
After retiring from boxing, he was always willing to fight for the rights of boxers and was a great supporter of the World Boxing Council and specially to its , José Sulaimán in his quest to ammend the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the W.B.C. in order to give fighters the fullest protection during their careers and medical and personal insurance benefits.
He was an example and will be greatly missed. His phrase “I owe it all to my manager and to the Virgin of Guadalupe” is known to all Mexicans and will live forever in the hearts of his fans as will he, our beloved Raúl “Ratón” Macías.
May he rest in peace!
Tags: boxing, jose sulaiman, raul raton macias, world boxing council