| |
|
Venezuelan Olympian Gold Medalist Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez, 78
By Gabriel F. Cordero PhilBoxing.com Thu, 25 Apr 2024

At 78 years of age, Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez, the first Venezuelan Olympic gold medalist, died this Tuesday, April 23, at the military hospital in Caracas, Venezuela after serious health complications.
At the age of 23, Rodríguez gave Venezuela its first gold medal during the 1968 Mexico Olympics by defeating Korean Yong-Ju Jee in the legendary Arena Mexico in Mexico City.
Rodriguez was born in Cumaná on September 20, 1945 and also participated in the V Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1967, and the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia in 1971, where he won the gold medal in both competitions.
After retiring, he trained young Venezuelans in Paraíso, Caracas, where he created a club named after him.
At that time, he was awarded the Francisco de Miranda order in its third class and in 2018, in recognition of the 50 years of Mexico 68, he received the Julio César León order in its only class, awarded by the Venezuelan Olympic Federation.
"Morochito" Rodríguez is part of Venezuela's sports elite as he is one of the four gold medalists in the Olympic Games, along with Arlindo Gouveia (taekwondo), Rubén Limardo (fencing) and Yulimar Rojas (triple jump).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
"The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025"Bam" Rodriguez Stops "Puma" Martínez in 10 By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Abdullah Mason Edges Sam Noakes in War, Becomes Youngest Current World Champion By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 2: 1908 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, ENGLAND By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025FRANCISCO VERON DOMINATES ROIMAN VILLA IN MAIN EVENT OF PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM IN FORT LAUDERDALE , Sat, 22 Nov 2025Lining enters Round of 32 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025The Ring IV: Night of Champions Set to Ignite Riyadh Saturday By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025Final list of candidates announced for elections at World Boxing Congress 2025 , Sat, 22 Nov 2025RING/DAZN PPV Card Gives Bang for the Bucks By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 21 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS , Fri, 21 Nov 2025JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Pacquiao, Nine Other Pinoys in Latest Ring Ratings By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025QUOTES FROM MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS LOS ANGELES OPEN WORKOUT AT WILD CARD BOXING CLUB AND LAS VEGAS OPEN WORKOUT AHEAD OF NOV. 29 FIGHT NIGHT AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Super Featherweight Sluggers ‘Tsendy’ Erdenebat and Abraham Montoya Agree to Meet in Short-Notice Co-Featured Bout on Proboxtv’s Friday Night Fights , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Cartagenas, Yu top 4th DCHS Fun Run By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman By Eric Armit, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament Champion By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced , Wed, 19 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|