Hi, im Chapos niece/god-daughter. It was wonderful seeing my uncle remembered in this documentary. Very well done, Thank you. Just a few tidbits though...My grandmother's (Chapos mother) name was Elizabeth. They called her Doña Isabelle just because it was easier to say. That box with the panties Camacho sent to him, was sent back to Camacho with a steamy turd inside lol. Needless to say Camacho didn't appreciate his package either. And lastly, the pigeon stew was delicious. Abuela could make anything taste 5 star. While his fate was unfortunate, Chapo was an amazing fighter, a warrior, and he had a huge heart. He is loved and missed dearly. Thank you again.
Thanks so much for sharing. I got your grandmother's name from an old Ring Magazine but sorry for the mix-up. Didn't know about his return response to Camacho, haha....Your uncle was a great fighter and your family has much to be proud of. All the best to you.
I remember watching with my dad Rosario vs Chavez. To this day Chavez says "no one ever hit me harder than Rosario." When Edwin Chapo Rosario died I cried. Because I watch him fight n because I'm an x-drug addict myself. My respects 2 his family n to 🇵🇷. 🙏☝️ Nothing but mad respect from this Chicano 2 the legend Rosario. Great job on the documentary 👍
A sad ending for a true warrior. Rosario had great boxing skills and incredible power. His footwork was superb, he could change angles and attack in a split second. I truly enjoyed every fight that I was able to see El Chapo in, always exciting from start to finish. RIP Campeon.
Great documentary. I was shocked when in 97 I read on ESPN's website that Rosario had passed away. Very tragic. It sounds as his family had chemical dependency and who knows when Rosario was coming into his fights in top shape or not. Top shape physically and mentally. Sad loss and hard to believe this man was only 34.
@@wajabi respect to Puerto Rico for the absolute legends, p2 handed lethal punchers, and warriors and that made us Latinos proud to be. Miguel Cotto was one of my heroes as a kid especially when he came back from the grips of defeat to beat Ricardo Torres.
@@KidA712 Cotto vs Torres was a great fight. Torres had legitimate one punch power. Something about Colombian fighters and their punching power. Cotto's ability to recover quickly was awesome.
@@RM-pg4js Chopo was probably the hardest punching lightweight of all time. Beyond that he was a very talented boxer and when he was mentally and physically primed during his younger years he was a force to reckon with. Winning the WBC lightweight title at age 20 was a major accomplishment. The loss in the rematch with Ramirez, was in part because Rosario got a little too aggressive after dropping Ramirez hard a second time and maybe not training properly for the fight. It can argued that he won the decision vs Camacho, but for some reason he kind of let Camacho off the hook and didn't take a couple of close rounds. Camacho was never the same after their fight. He didn't fight as often and when he did he held too much. The second round KO over iron chin Livingstone Bramble, was an awesome fight in which Rosario crushed a very good fighter. This fight was almost as impressive as winning his first lightweight title. The fight with Chavez, well Chavez's chin was an immovable object at that point in his career and Chavez was a very talented and skillful fighter too. Whether or not Chavez always beats Rosario or not, Rosario fought the with the wrong strategy and gave Chavez no movement or angles as Ray Leonard suggested that he do and I think he was simply trying to take Chavez out with one punch. Chavez was so physically tough and his chin so good that not even Rosario's punches hurt him. Chavez also took away a lot of Rosario's punching room. Make no mistake though Rosario did crack Chavez with some devastating punches and Chavez shook them off like nothing. So much to the point that Merchant mentioned it after the fight and how incredible Chavez's chin was. Merchant had mentioned that during sparring session that they had Rosario take off his gloves and check his hands because they couldn't believe he hit that hard. Rosario's fists were a full two inches bigger than Chavez's. The Chavez fight took a lot out of Rosario and he wasn't the same fighter afterwards. Rosario took a beating and although he never quit, he paid for that beating by taking years off his prime. Rosario was able to come from behind to stop Tony Jones to once again capture the WBA lightweight title. Then Rosario showed how much he had slipped by losing to Juan Nosario, a fighter he had already destroyed. That was a big loss because he lost out on an opportunity to fight Pernell Whitaker for a nice payday and a chance to unify the titles. Then Rosario's power was all he needed to destroy Loreto Garza in the third to win the WBA jr. welterweight title. Rosario was gunning for rematch with Chavez and it looked possible until the first round against Akinobo Hiranaka. At that point I knew Chopo's career as a championship level fighter was over. It was very sad, because Rosario was one of my favorite fighters during the 80s and 90s. I never seen Chopo fight again and in 1997, when I was doing an internship I opened up ESPN's website and to their boxing page and the headline was about Rosario passing away. I was utterly shocked and I was more shocked when I realized he was still only 34. Up to that point I didn't know about Rosario's issues. I then realized that wow, a lot of time has passed since I watched his first fight against Camach. I was 12 and I was now 24 getting ready to start my own career. Now at 49, I'm struggling with the fact that nearly 30 years have passed since I watched Rosario's last fight. Who knows what Rosario could've been had he not had out of the ring issues? Mental illness, well depression and general anxiety disorder are considered mental illness and if Rosario was struggling with depression then it's possible that he self medicated to deal with it and that's really sad. Men though, don't like to admit to being depressed and often will self medicate to deal with it. Had he been able to receive treatment for whatever his mental illness was though, I would like to believe he would've ended his career the most important note of all, alive.
When Tito was coming up was when I went back and looked at Rosario and saw how much Tito was influenced by El Chapo's style. From the way he holds his hands up to the way he moves around the ring jockeying for position. Edwin was a great fighter, regardless of what he could have been. Sleep in peace Champ.
Sad, too often Puerto Rican fighters fall to substance abuse and do not get the support or help they need until it’s too late. So much potential wasted.
Your right WOW this is the first time watching him and learning about his story and his boxing career his punching power his technique was clean no haymakers perfect technique
I was born in the 80s and start watching boxing in the 90s i feel ln love with the sweet science my father was a amateur boxer had me and my brothers in the gym from 10 years old up until I was 17 and I'm so grateful for that experience in my life But I'm ashamed to say I've heard of Edwin I didn't know his story I grew up on Tito Trinidad and Miguel cotto and if you ask me Puerto Rico have some of the best boxes and fighters of all time
@@Mma-basement-215 it’s ok bro you gotta find out about things one way or another , I am also ashamed tho that I it took me a while to finally look into Edwin Rosario
I've never seen one punch ruin a career the way Rosario did to Camacho. Camacho was considered one of the best fighters in the world, some said the best. That all changed in the fifth round.
@@bluelivesmatter719 The Camacho of the early 80s was a very talented boxer and had great had speed. There was a noticeable change after the Rosario fight. He would hold in every fight after, even against fighters like Greg Haugen who were featherfisted. Then when Camacho lost to Mutt in 1991 and the escaped with a SD in the rematch I knew Camacho was a joke at that point of his career. He shouldn't have gotten a fight with Chavez, he didn't deserve it and he took a beating in that fight and never offered up any resistance. Camacho certainly never deserved the fights against Trinidad or Dela Hoya and the massive paydays that came along with them.
Great video. I pine for the late 70s and early 80s boxing...and there is something so soothing about hearing Keith Jackson and Al Michaels call a great fight...a call to my youth, I love it
Rosario was too tough for his own good. I was a kid when he beat Jose Luis Ramirez for his first lightweight belt. He was an all-action fighter who carried dynamite in both hands and is probably one of the top-10 hardest hitters of all time at 135. He fought everyone: Howard Davis, Ramirez, Camacho, Chavez, Bramble. He just never recovered from the 11-round beating he took from Julio Cesar Chavez. That fight shortened his career by several years. RIP.
Edwin Rosario was perhaps the single best up-and-coming boxer that I ever saw in 43 years of watching boxing. At 118 pounds he simply had everything: skill, quickness, excellent jab, defense, fearlessness, killer instinct, discipline, and last but not least... thunderous power in both hands. But the next bout he was up to 122, the next time at 126, the next one 130, and all of a sudden he was fighting Ramirez at 135. His best bouts were just a glimpse of what he could have been.
@@searchforthestrangler5034 Yeah. He just had a weak defense and his chin was only B-/C+ at best. He was stopped by Chavez, Ramirez, Randall, and some Japanese guy. His career was basically over by the time he turned 30, similar to other action fighters like Ray Mancini, Fernando Vargas, Meldrick Taylor...too brave for their own good.
@@bengolfs1 Great analysis. The Japanese guy fight was so ugly an HBO preliminary that night. The punching power was what an A ar least but the chin was dropping to a much lesser level to match his championship ability. Getting clearly stunned by Howard Davis gave proof. I watched that fight from Ft Hood, Texas where I was stationed in the Army. The ABC broadcast that Saturday. Later on, I covered boxing for a local newspaper and these fights and fighters always bring back memories. Hope you enjoy them as well. And thanks for your analysis of what could have been the great Edwin Rosario.
@@searchforthestrangler5034 I've seen all the great ones fight...many times live. I live out here in California and used to go to the Forum in Inglewood quite often when there were regularly scheduled boxing cards. I saw Chavez fight live a bunch of times. Probably the best one was against Taylor in 1990 in Las Vegas. I remember that fight as if it took place yesterday. Saw the rematch 4.5 years later at the MGM. Nothing like watching a fight live.
Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 11 hall of fame in canastota New York....1....Wilfredo Gomez....2 Wilfred Benitez...3 Felix Tito Trinidad....4 Hector Macho Camacho...5 Edwin el chapo Rosario....6 Sixto Escobar....7 Jose Chegui Torres...8..Carlos Ortis....9 ...Howard Cocoa Kitt...10...Miguel angel Cotto....11 Joe Cortes....orgullo Boricua🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷
I'm from PR and followed boxing closely during those years and I really don't remember the nickname "El Chapo" coming from "chaparrito." As I remember, there was an anime that was popular on Puertorican TV when Rosario was a little boy (we'd be about the same age) called "Marino y la Patrulla Oceánica" ("Kaitei Shōnen Marin," or "Marine Boy" in the US). One of the characters was a white dolphin called "Chapotín." Plots were similar to "Flipper." The story goes that he used to be called that as a kid, and it was shortened to "El Chapo" when he started fighting. "Chaparrito" is more of a Mexican colloquialism that refers to "short" people - not used in PR. It's true that Rosario wasn't as popular as Benitez or Gomez back in the day, but he was still pretty popular. Other than that, very informative piece about a great fighter that has been sadly forgotten.
You're probably right, especially given Edwin's love of fishing in that lagoon...I didn't know "Chaparrito" didn't extend to PR. Thanks for the insight and for watching.
Edwin Rosario … El Chappell … what a great fighter graced that ring! And like a comet 💫 Rosario was burnt out years before fight career should have ended, his time coming, in realty, in his mid 20’s before the total collapse by the time he was 30. The fight between Rosario and Ramirez, won by the southpaw, Ramirez, seemingly spelled the end to Chapo … such great fighting heart exemplified the by both warriors. Rich … Hats and Hearts off to you for resurrecting these fighters, one by one. This site is THE BEST for recapturing all that boxing 🥊 is, was, and will be. Thank you once again, Rich. I’d like to get in touch with you.
Watching Ewin Rosario slip punches has always been a thing of beauty. It's a shame that we'll never know how great this legendary fighter could've been.
As a boxing fan from the age of 5 and coming from a boxing family, I'm happy to have found this YT channel... as a kid I would read every ring magazine I could get my hands on and now to see it come to life on YT doco's is a dream for me✊🏾 every real boxing fan will know what I mean by that..... thank you for this amazing boxing history channel..👍🏽
He beat my cousin,Loreto Garza, he also beat a sparring partner I had here in Texas Roberto Elizondo, the little man had power in his right hand, sadly he wasn’t disciplined out side the ring and he lost that fight
Machine Gun Gonzerella I remember reading about the results of the in Ring. It started off with the number one rule in boxing, never pass up a title fight. I thought your cousin would outbox Rosario, but Chapo was able to quickly cut distance to Garza and got him with a great right hand. Loreto never really recovered from that first knockdown punch. That's awesome that Garza is your cousin, I do remember watching him win his title beating Frankie Warren over the distance. I remember Loreto's left eye swelling really bad, but hanging tough and winning. I was always impressed by Loreto's height for 140 lbs weight class and how he carried his weight in his upperbody. He really reminded me of Alexis Arguello in physical appearance. Please tell the Champ I said hi and you take care of yourself.
I know that the bell saved him big time in one of the rounds..but I don't recall seeing him barely ever getting hurt other than this fight.he had pristine defense and the best footwork in the sport.
@@davidlopez-rl4sh probably not.they had to be on PPV and I wouldn't buy a Camacho fight,I wasn't a big fan of his.I seen all his early fights on CBS channel 2,free TV...I'm sure your rite.I'm not saying your wrong.
It's a sad to say but the truth is Edwin Rosario never was supported by Puerto Ricans only a few of them but that's how life is but he will never be forgotten..💪🇵🇷
Chapo and I were born on same day March 15 and year 1963. .I watched Chapo fights , he hit had dynamic punching power Died to young age 34 1997 RIP chapo
What a great puncher Rosario 1 of the best punchers from the island of Puerto rico. Its true his left changed Camacho's career after that Hector was very defensive minded in his career
Carlos Ortiz stayed at my grandparents home for a few days in Richmond California during the screening of Latin Legends boxing documentary back in early 90’s and Roberto Duran was a frequent visitor 🥊
Great work rich as usual. I remember reading of his death in the British boxing publication’ boxing news’ , and being both shocked and saddened. Under appreciated fighter I feel overshadowed by the great JCC especially. A skilful warrior who just couldn’t sadly get his demons u see control. RIP chapo - you were great. 😞
That's were I read it as well when I was just getting in to boxing proper. They did a really moving peice in the quality Boxing monthly as well. Boxing is littered with these sad cases I think there's a loneliness to some of the best boxers stands to reason as you can't rely on team mates and they spend hours and hours perfecting their craft.
to watch El Chapo is Always a Real treat he had the beautiful Boxing Style of all times the way he move to punch was perfect and the leg work was like seen a ballerina in the nut cracker.
Great documentary about one of my favourite fighters from the 80s. Should have been given the decision against Camacho but conversely I do recall that most people thought he had lost to Howard Davis.
I agree with you 💯%. I was a big Camacho, fan also . I truly believe Rosario, won that fight and Camacho, became a runner and a boring fighter after their fight.
Thanks for this. I grew up in the eighties, and Rosario only seem to get recognition in the states when he fought other great fighters. Guy was a legend.
This is a really great channel. The long time boxing fans will really appreciate the work you’ve done your doing here on the on the lesser known and perhaps under appreciate warriors of the sport. Along with this one on El Chapo on had already watched the one on John Mugabi and Pipino Cuevas. Rosario was robbed against Camacho (rip Macho). I believe that after his fight with a Rosario Hector became a very ‘safety 1st’ type of fighter. His war with Chavez was the 1st time I saw JC Superstar fight and it was beautiful brutality-unbelievable fight! Excellent stuff ur putting out. Thank you! Excellent work
The achilles heel or kryptonite of most of our Puerto Rican boxers have been their lack of discipline and drugs. This pattern repeats itself over and over. It's just 😔. Chapo, Esteban de Jesus (died of Aids), Camacho, Gomez and so many more. I'm eagerly awaiting the next Puerto Rican star and hopefully one that's dedicated and disciplined. Saludos a todos mi gente 👊🏼💪🏽👍🏼
I think in boxing and as in life people have their picks. If you aren't picked you get unjustly ridiculed and held to a standard that isn't fair. This is the case for Edwin Rosario in my opinion.
Another solid documentary of another Puerto Rican fighter who let his demons and vices destroy him! Fantastic job Rich! I do have a request. Can you do an in depth doc on Melsrick Taylor?
Maldita droga ,que muchas grandes leyendas del boxeo y la música nos as quitado en Puerto Rico. Edwin al igual que Wilfredo Gómez confiaban tanto en su talento y pegada q algunas veces no daban el máximo en sus entrenamientos. RIP, el gran Rosario.
Boxing was easy for Rosario, life was hard and it was hard for Edwin if he wasn't on top because people tend to turn on you if you aren't a Winner! I will always respect Edwin for what he did for his family , his brother (as he vowed to give his all for him after death), and for his country and the sport of boxing!!!! 🫡To you Edwin in Heaven and thank you Rich for another beautiful Gem in the history of boxing!!!!🫡👊💯🥊🖤🥊
He was a great fighter but it looks like once he had the hand problem he lost some of his power. He really gave it to Héctor Camacho but met his match with Julio Cesar Chavez.
It was actually 4 rounds but if you are talking Hagler/Hearns, wow! Two great fights and hard to choose between. Great choices and if we got a couple of those today, boxing wouldn't be suffering.
I covered a few of his fights and had a decent relationship with Jim Jacobs. I always thought I could beat Loretto Garza, Rosario knocked him out right in front of me. I thought I was gonna fight him in the golden gloves one year. He turned pro. No disrespect to Loretto , just thought I was better.
It's likely most Americans will disagree but Pernell Whitaker avoided two fighters who were Legendaty with the straight Right . It was Edwin Rosario and Kostya Tszyu .They were both specialist against southpaw's too which Whitakers team had to be aware of . Ultimately when Whitaker fought Trinidad it revealed that and Tito's right hand wasn't as famed as Rosario's and Kostya's.
This man had a big heart !! And he was a champion ! Fought like a champion maybe he was a sensitive person ? It's sad he couldnt over come those demons! And they said he missed his brother who wouldn't ! God bless him rest in peace Edwin
