Richie Sandoval

Richie Sandoval was an American boxer who won the WBA bantamweight title during his professional career. At the start of his career Sandoval fought in the light flyweight division. He won bronze at the 1978 World Amateur Championships, followed by silver at the Pan American Games the following year. In 1980 he qualified for the American Olympic team but was unable to compete at the Moskva Games due to the boycott. Sandoval was present at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, however, this time as one of the US delegates who were the Olympic flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony.

Sandoval turned professional in 1980, winning his first fight by knockout inside two rounds. He then won his next 21 bouts to set up a contest between him and the then-reigning WBA bantamweight champion Jeff Chandler in April 1984. Despite his impressive start to his career, Sandoval was a virtual unknown at this point, but went the distance against Chandler to win the title in what was considered to be a major upset. He then won his next six fights before suffering his first defeat when he lost to Gaby Canizales in March 1986. The fight was brutal for Sandoval, seeing him knocked down five times in seven rounds before the referee ended the contest. After falling unconscious after the fight, he stopped breathing for several minutes, before being taken to a local hospital. Thankfully he underwent life-saving surgery, but it marked an end to his boxing career. Sandoval retired from the sport with a record of 29 wins, 17 by knockout, and one defeat.