José María Gatica
Encyclopedia
José María Gatica was an Argentine boxer, one of Argentina's most famous sports idols. However, his boxing career was surrounded in controversy due to his support of Argentine President Juan Peron
. He was portrayed in the biopic Gatica, el mono, directed by Leonardo Favio
in 1993.
José María Gatica was born in Villa Mercedes
, San Luis
, Argentina
. His parents were workers and decided to move to Buenos Aires
, when Gatica was 7 years old. At the age of 10, Gatica was shining shoes on the streets of Constitución Station in the Federal Capital.
Gatica's childhood was a "savage" one. He never attended school, and never learned to read or write. His family lived in extreme poverty. The streets were his education and he became good with his fists.
He began his fistic career in unsanctioned fights at the Sailor's Home, where naval men bet on these fights. It was there he was discovered by Lazaro Koczil. Gatica had a wild, free swinging ring style. He came out at the bell throwing non-stop looping punches. His first ring nickname was "The Tiger". Fighting for the Central Club Cabins, Gatica won the Argentine Golden Gloves and decided to embark on a professional career.
Gatica was trained by Nicholas Preziosa and turned pro at the famed Luna Park
in Argentina. His exciting style soon caught on to the general public, and José María Gatica became the biggest sport's idol in Argentina. New Argentine President Juan Domingo Perón and his wife Evita
became his number one fans. Upon meeting Perón for the first time, Gatica commented: " General... Two powers are greeted." Gatica became a vocal supporter of President Peron and his government.
Gatica was married twice during this time. His first wife was Ema Fernández and they had a daughter, María Eva; named after Argentina's first-lady, Evita Perón. His second wife was Ema "Nora" Guercio, and she and Gatica enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle of fine dining, expensive clothing, sportscars, expensive jewels, and rubbing elbows with the elite of Argentina.
Gatica's dream of a world title where crushed when he fought World Champion Ike Williams in a non-title bout in the United States
. Gatica's wild ring style was a failure against Williams, and he suffered a 1st round knockout loss. However, the loss had no effect on Gatica's popularity in Argentina. Called "El Mono" by his thousands of fans, Gatica returned to Argentina to fight a series of exciting brawls with his arch-Argentine rival Alfredo Prada. Their series of action-packed fights were dubbed, "The Graziano-Zale Fights Argentine Style." 25,000 fans attended their last fight.
However, with the fall of President Juan D. Peron, Gatica went from his country's most-loved sports idol, to its most hated. After dedicating a victory to the exiled Peron on the radio, Gatica was arrested by the police. Gatica was forced to retire by the Federación Argentina de Boxeo due to his support of Argentine President Juan D. Peron, and his boxing license was revoked for life.
Gatica had given away thousands of dollars to friends. He had tipped away thousands as well. The boxer who walked the streets with a lion cub, wore silk shirts, and diamond rings, was now broke. The cream of Argentina's political and entertainment world now shunned him. The fans who had once cheered him, now forgot him.
His second wife divorced him, and Gatica was forced to sell papers on the street. He remarried in poverty to Rita Armellino and had daughters Viviana and Patricia. His old ring rival, Alfredo Prada gave him a job as a host in his restaurant.
Gatica and his family lost everything in a flood, but the down-on-his-luck Gatica still managed a smile for his country's newspapers. He became a fixture near local sports halls, selling "knick-knacks".
At the age of 38, José María Gatica was killed in the District of Avellaneda
, on Herrera Street, when he was run-over by a bus as he was leaving the Club Atlético Independiente
. The great "El Mono" Gaticia began life in the streets, and his life ended in the streets as well.
Gatica is buried at Cementerio de la Chacarita in Buenos Aires, Argentina, plot: Panteón Casa de los Boxeadores, 1s 4 # 22. In Argentina a movie was made about his life in 1993. The movie was called Gatica, El Mono. His hometown honored his memory by naming a sports auditorium after him.
Juan Perón
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency...
. He was portrayed in the biopic Gatica, el mono, directed by Leonardo Favio
Leonardo Favio
Leonardo Favio is an Argentine singer, actor, film director and screenwriter...
in 1993.
Biography
Villa Mercedes, San Luis
Villa Mercedes is a city in the province of San Luis, Argentina. It lies on the center-east of the province, on the left-hand banks of the Quinto River, 32 km from the border with Córdoba, on National Route 148, and near the intersection of National Routes 8 and 7. National Route 7 links the city...
, San Luis
San Luis Province
San Luis is a province of Argentina located near the geographical center of the country . Neighboring provinces are, from the north clockwise, La Rioja, Córdoba, La Pampa, Mendoza and San Juan.-History:...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. His parents were workers and decided to move to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, when Gatica was 7 years old. At the age of 10, Gatica was shining shoes on the streets of Constitución Station in the Federal Capital.
Gatica's childhood was a "savage" one. He never attended school, and never learned to read or write. His family lived in extreme poverty. The streets were his education and he became good with his fists.
He began his fistic career in unsanctioned fights at the Sailor's Home, where naval men bet on these fights. It was there he was discovered by Lazaro Koczil. Gatica had a wild, free swinging ring style. He came out at the bell throwing non-stop looping punches. His first ring nickname was "The Tiger". Fighting for the Central Club Cabins, Gatica won the Argentine Golden Gloves and decided to embark on a professional career.
Gatica was trained by Nicholas Preziosa and turned pro at the famed Luna Park
Luna Park, Buenos Aires
For any of the amusement parks of the same name, see Luna Park; for any other use of the term, see Luna Park Luna Park is an 8,000-seat arena, located on the corner of Corrientes and Bouchard Avenues, in the barrio of San Nicolás, east Buenos Aires city and near Puerto Madero...
in Argentina. His exciting style soon caught on to the general public, and José María Gatica became the biggest sport's idol in Argentina. New Argentine President Juan Domingo Perón and his wife Evita
Eva Perón
María Eva Duarte de Perón was the second wife of President Juan Perón and served as the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. She is often referred to as simply Eva Perón, or by the affectionate Spanish language diminutive Evita.She was born in the village of Los Toldos in...
became his number one fans. Upon meeting Perón for the first time, Gatica commented: " General... Two powers are greeted." Gatica became a vocal supporter of President Peron and his government.
Gatica was married twice during this time. His first wife was Ema Fernández and they had a daughter, María Eva; named after Argentina's first-lady, Evita Perón. His second wife was Ema "Nora" Guercio, and she and Gatica enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle of fine dining, expensive clothing, sportscars, expensive jewels, and rubbing elbows with the elite of Argentina.
Gatica's dream of a world title where crushed when he fought World Champion Ike Williams in a non-title bout in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Gatica's wild ring style was a failure against Williams, and he suffered a 1st round knockout loss. However, the loss had no effect on Gatica's popularity in Argentina. Called "El Mono" by his thousands of fans, Gatica returned to Argentina to fight a series of exciting brawls with his arch-Argentine rival Alfredo Prada. Their series of action-packed fights were dubbed, "The Graziano-Zale Fights Argentine Style." 25,000 fans attended their last fight.
However, with the fall of President Juan D. Peron, Gatica went from his country's most-loved sports idol, to its most hated. After dedicating a victory to the exiled Peron on the radio, Gatica was arrested by the police. Gatica was forced to retire by the Federación Argentina de Boxeo due to his support of Argentine President Juan D. Peron, and his boxing license was revoked for life.
Gatica had given away thousands of dollars to friends. He had tipped away thousands as well. The boxer who walked the streets with a lion cub, wore silk shirts, and diamond rings, was now broke. The cream of Argentina's political and entertainment world now shunned him. The fans who had once cheered him, now forgot him.
His second wife divorced him, and Gatica was forced to sell papers on the street. He remarried in poverty to Rita Armellino and had daughters Viviana and Patricia. His old ring rival, Alfredo Prada gave him a job as a host in his restaurant.
Gatica and his family lost everything in a flood, but the down-on-his-luck Gatica still managed a smile for his country's newspapers. He became a fixture near local sports halls, selling "knick-knacks".
At the age of 38, José María Gatica was killed in the District of Avellaneda
Avellaneda Partido
Avellaneda is a partido in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It has an area of 55.17 km² and a population of 340,985 . Its capital is the city of Avellaneda....
, on Herrera Street, when he was run-over by a bus as he was leaving the Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
. The great "El Mono" Gaticia began life in the streets, and his life ended in the streets as well.
Gatica is buried at Cementerio de la Chacarita in Buenos Aires, Argentina, plot: Panteón Casa de los Boxeadores, 1s 4 # 22. In Argentina a movie was made about his life in 1993. The movie was called Gatica, El Mono. His hometown honored his memory by naming a sports auditorium after him.
Source
- Enrique MEDINA, Gatica (novel), Buenos Aires 1991, Galerna ed.
- Find A Grave: JOSE MARIA GATICA.
- Osvaldo Soriano, 1983: OF ARTISTS, CRAZY PEOPLE AND CRIMINALS, BRUGUERA EDITORIAL.
- Miami New Times, February 2, 1994: THE REEL DEAL, by Todd Anthony.
- Gatica, El Mono, directed by Leonardo Favio; written by Leonardo Favio and Zuhair Jury, 1993.