# José Legrá, world boxing champion, affected by COVID-19

**Date:** 04/26/2020

The legend of Spanish sports, José Legrá, double world champion and seven-time European champion, is in a Madrid hospital fighting COVID-19.

It has been officially confirmed that the former boxer of Cuban origin, after a series of tests performed on him, is affected by this serious illness, also known as coronavirus, which is ravaging the world.

He is well cared for in a Madrid hospital and his condition is satisfactory despite his advanced age. We trust that the champion of the seventies will knock out this fierce enemy just as he did with so many tough rivals in the ring.

"The Puma of Baracoa" made his amateur debut in November 1958 in Cuba, his native country, defeating Tomás "Guachiro" Rodríguez. After professional boxing was banned in Cuba, Legrá went to Mexico and then to Spain, where he fought his first bout in Madrid in 1963.

He became European champion in 1967 by defeating Frenchman Yves Desmarets at the Palacio de los Deportes in Madrid, by KOT in the third round.

On July 24, 1968, he became world champion by defeating Welsh champion Howard Winstone in Porthcawl (United Kingdom) by KOT in the fifth round.

He would lose his title in London unfairly on points to local fighter Johnny Famechon, and continued collecting European championships on six more occasions.

He would win another world title in Monterrey (Mexico) in 1972, knocking out local fighter Clemente Sánchez in the tenth round.

Again in his first title defense, he would lose the crown when fighting, as always outside of Spain, against Brazilian Eder Jofre in Brasilia, in a very close points decision.

He retired from boxing in 1973, being a great sports figure in Spain. All fans remember him for his great technique, his maximum coordination defensive and offensive movements, and the precision of his punch. A master. Much strength to Pepe Legrá.

Good news is being received from the Madrid hospital where former world champion José Legrá is located, suffering from COVID-19.

Although we must be cautious with this serious illness, the Spanish-Cuban seems more upbeat, is eating in a desirable manner, and the blood tests regularly performed on him reflect positive progress in his state of health.

We know that the battle the popular boxer is fighting against coronavirus is very complicated, but in these rounds our Puma of Baracoa's performance is improving.

From all over Spain, the hospitalization of the great champion is being followed with concern, greatly loved by fans, because he has always been greatly admired for his sporting quality and for his friendliness with everyone who approached him.

He was also a television idol in the programs in which he participated.

On April 16th, a positive COVID-19 test was confirmed, and since then José Legrá has remained stable, and it is now when a slight improvement is beginning that makes us moderately optimistic.

He is a strong person, but of advanced age, more advanced than some sports databases indicate, and therefore we must continue fighting for his complete recovery so he can return to his home.