Bobby Chacon, former two-division boxing champion from Sylmar, dies at 64

Bobby Chacon, a San Fernando Valley boxer who won world titles in two weight classes, died Wednesday at age 64.

Chacon, who had long suffered from the effects of brain damage, fell and struck his head in a Hemet care facility early Wednesday morning and succumbed to his injuries, said Ricky Farris, president of the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame.

“One of the most exciting fighters in the history of the West Coast, an amazing blood-and-guts brawler who took on the best fighters in three divisions,” Farris said of Chacon, who will be inducted into the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame on Sept. 25.

Chacon was born Nov. 28, 1951, in Sylmar and trained in Pacoima. A San Fernando High graduate and onetime liberal-arts student at Cal State Northridge, Chacon was nicknamed “Schoolboy” by veteran boxing publicist Bill Caplan.

I grew up in Northern Idaho but we got to see the televised matches from the Olympic and the Forum. Some great fighters in that era. I remember seeing the School Boy and Little Red on the undercard matches as they were just breaking in. I remember excitedly telling my brother about their matchup when it was announced.

Bobby Chacon is one of my all-time favorite fighters. Rest in peace.

Boom Boom Mancini

Warren Zevon

Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon

From Youngstown, Ohio, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
A lightweight contender, like father like son
He fought for the title with Frias in Vegas
And he put him away in round number one

Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon

When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating
Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Some have the speed and the right combinations
If you can’t take the punches, it don’t mean a thing

Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon

When they asked him who was responsible
For the death of do Koo Kim
He said, “Some one should have stopped the fight
And told me it was him.”

They made hypocrite judgements after the fact
But the name of the game is be hit and hit back

Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini’s fighting Bobby Chacon

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