Early in his life, Raúl Talán intended to pursue a skilled profession and thus he entered the School of Mechanical and Electrical Sciences in the mid-1920s. He was unable to resist the lure of the local boxing scene, however, and his aptitude in the sport quickly drew national attention. He was selected to represent Mexico in the featherweight division of the 1928 Olympic tournament, but was defeated in his first match by Finland’s Kaarlo Väkevä. He turned professional after the Games and found enough success that he was able to leave school permanently. He made his American debut in 1929 and, by the end of his career in 1934, had fought in Japan, China, and the Philippines as well. He retired with a record of 18-12-1. Following his boxing career, he became well-known as a writer and journalist, with his work appearing in numerous publications. He also tried his hand in acting, appearing in four movies between 1935-1937, including a starring role in A Real Man, Mexico’s first film about boxing. Later in life he was shot in the head by an unknown assailant, but recovered after spending a year in bed and used the time to produce his memoirs. He subsequently wrote two additional books on the history of boxing in Mexico, We Were Idols and In the Third Round, that were well-received by historians and the public alike.
Mexico