Arturo Godoy

Arturo Godoy
Born(1912-10-10)10 October 1912
Iquique, Chile
Died27 August 1986(1986-08-27) (aged 73)
Chile
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights128
Wins92
Wins by KO52
Losses22
Draws12
No contests2

Arturo Godoy (October 10, 1912 – 1986) was a Chilean professional boxer, also nicknamed "Arturito".

Biography

He was born in Iquique on October 10, 1912. He was South American Heavyweight Champion and had an extensive and successful career in Argentina, Cuba, Spain, and the United States roughly between 1931 and 1954. In New York, he beat Tony Galento.

He is best known for his two epic fights with Joe Louis for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1940. The first was held at the Madison Square Garden on February 9, 1940, and went the full length of 15 rounds. The 2 ringside judges split their votes and the tie was broken by the referee, who gave it to Louis, to the protest of a substantial part of the audience, who had been won over by the fact that Godoy showed no fear of Louis and by the additional fact that Louis was not able to knock out his opponent after a string of K.O.s and T.K.O.s. South Americans and Chileans in particular thought that Godoy had indeed won the fight and from then on the figure of Godoy acquired mythical proportions. A second fight was scheduled for June 20, 1940. Joe Louis prepared to counteract Godoy's strategy and ring tactics, focusing on bringing him up from his unusual low stance with a combination of hooks to the body and uppercuts. Godoy fought bravely but the referee had to stop the fight in the 8th round. Godoy continued fighting until 1954 and returned to Chile, where he was regarded as a hero.

He died in Chile in 1986.

Legacy

His life was used as the base for the novel "Muriendo por la dulce patria mía" (Laurel Editores, 2017) by Roberto Castillo Sandoval.

Professional boxing record

128 fights 92 wins 22 losses
By knockout 52 3
By decision 39 18
By disqualification 1 1
Draws 12
No contests 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
128 Draw 92–22–12 (2) Alfredo Lagay PTS 10 Nov 2, 1951 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
127 Win 92–22–11 (2) Abel Cestac PTS 10 Aug 3, 1951 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
126 Win 91–22–11 (2) Mario Abarca KO 4 (10) Jun 15, 1951 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
125 Win 90–22–11 (2) Roberto Balbontin TKO 4 (12) Jun 30, 1950 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile Won vacant Chilean heavyweight title
124 Draw 89–22–11 (2) Karel Sys PTS 10 Mar 6, 1950 Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires, Argentina
123 Win 89–22–10 (2) Emilio Espinoza RTD 5 (10) Jan 13, 1950 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
122 Loss 88–22–10 (2) Leonard Morrow TKO 10 (10) Aug 16, 1949 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
121 Draw 88–21–10 (2) Maynard Jones PTS 10 Aug 9, 1949 Wilmington Park, Wilmington, Delaware, US
120 Win 88–21–9 (2) Elkins Brothers SD 10 Jun 27, 1949 Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
119 Win 87–21–9 (2) Johnny Haynes PTS 10 Jun 1, 1949 Zivic Arena, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US
118 Loss 86–21–9 (2) Harold Johnson UD 10 Feb 23, 1949 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
117 Loss 86–20–9 (2) Alabama Kid UD 10 Aug 17, 1948 Haft's Acre, Columbus, Ohio, US
116 Win 86–19–9 (2) Pat Richards TKO 4 (10), 2:07 Jun 14, 1948 Haft's Acre, Columbus, Ohio, US
115 Win 85–19–9 (2) Pat Richards UD 10 Feb 24, 1948 Memorial Hall, Columbus, Ohio, US
114 Win 84–19–9 (2) Jimmy Bell PTS 8 Jan 20, 1948 Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, US
113 Win 83–19–9 (2) Phil Muscato SD 10 Dec 1, 1947 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
112 Win 82–19–9 (2) Jack Marshall PTS 10 Oct 22, 1947 El Paso, Texas, US
111 Loss 81–19–9 (2) Turkey Thompson UD 10 Oct 7, 1947 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
110 Win 81–18–9 (2) Cyclone Williams KO 5 (10) Sep 9, 1947 Troy Arena, Troy, New York, US
109 Win 80–18–9 (2) Buddy Knox KO 1 (?), 0:56 Dec 5, 1946 Denver, Colorado, US
108 Win 79–18–9 (2) Tex Boddie PTS 10 Nov 25, 1946 City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, US
107 Loss 78–18–9 (2) Joe Muscato UD 10 Oct 15, 1946 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
106 Win 78–17–9 (2) Cyclone Williams SD 10 Aug 21, 1946 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
105 Win 77–17–9 (2) Tony Musto TKO 6 (10), 2:40 Aug 16, 1946 MacArthur Stadium, Syracuse, New York, US
104 Win 76–17–9 (2) Larry Bouchard KO 2 (?) Jun 14, 1946 Jacksonville, Florida, US
103 NC 75–17–9 (2) Lee Savold NC 8 (10) Mar 1, 1946 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US Fight stopped for excessive clinching
102 Win 75–17–9 (1) Johnny Haynes PTS 10 Nov 20, 1945 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
101 Win 74–17–9 (1) Louis Long TKO 7 (10) Nov 5, 1945 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
100 Win 73–17–9 (1) Jimmy Carollo TKO 1 (10) Sep 28, 1945 Norfolk, Virginia, US
99 Win 72–17–9 (1) Dan Merritt TKO 2 (10), 2:38 Sep 12, 1945 Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
98 Win 71–17–9 (1) Buddy Walker KO 5 (10) May 14, 1945 Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
97 Win 70–17–9 (1) Herb Jones TKO 2 (10), 2:25 Apr 4, 1945 Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, Tennessee, US
96 Win 69–17–9 (1) Johnny Denson KO 5 (10), 2:35 Mar 27, 1945 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
95 Win 68–17–9 (1) Larry Bouchard PTS 10 Mar 1, 1945 U.S.O. Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, US
94 Win 67–17–9 (1) Juan Urlich KO 2 (10) Dec 20, 1944 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
93 NC 66–17–9 (1) Alberto Lovell NC 11 (12) Apr 15, 1944 Lima, Peru South American heavyweight title at stake
92 Win 66–17–9 Fernando Menichelli KO 7 (?) Nov 21, 1943 Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
91 Win 65–17–9 Roscoe Toles PTS 10 Aug 22, 1943 Estadio Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
90 Win 64–17–9 Isidoro Gastanaga TKO 5 (10) Jul 18, 1943 La Paz, Bolivia
89 Win 63–17–9 Fernando Menichelli TKO 1 (10) Apr 20, 1943 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
88 Win 62–17–9 Alberto Lovell PTS 12 Feb 28, 1943 Estadio de Carabineros, Santiago de Chile, Chile Won South American heavyweight title
87 Win 61–17–9 Eduardo Primo PTS 10 Dec 12, 1942 Ginásio da A.A. São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
86 Loss 60–17–9 Roscoe Toles PTS 10 Nov 14, 1942 Ginásio do Estádio Pacaembu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
85 Win 60–16–9 Antonio Soares TKO 1 (10) Oct 31, 1942 Teatro Casino Antarctica, Sao Paulo, Brazil
84 Loss 59–16–9 Roscoe Toles PTS 12 Oct 21, 1942 Estadio Manoel Schwartz, Río de Janeiro, Brazil
83 Win 59–15–9 Eusebio Ramirez KO 7 (?) Sep 12, 1942 Cordoba, Argentina
82 Draw 58–15–9 Roscoe Toles PTS 12 Jul 10, 1942 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Chile
81 Win 58–15–8 Hans Havlicek KO 3 (12) Jun 6, 1942 Salta, Argentina
80 Loss 57–15–8 Roscoe Toles PTS 12 Mar 7, 1942 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
79 Loss 57–14–8 Alberto Lovell PTS 12 Jan 17, 1942 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina For South American heavyweight title
78 Draw 57–13–8 Roscoe Toles PTS 12 Nov 1, 1941 Buenos Aires, Argentina
77 Win 57–13–7 Ernesto Carnesse PTS 10 Sep 27, 1941 Teatro Circo Caupolicán, Santiago de Chile, Argentina
76 Loss 56–13–7 Alberto Lovell PTS 12 May 17, 1941 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina For South American heavyweight title
75 Win 56–12–7 Tony Musto PTS 10 Dec 2, 1940 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US
74 Win 55–12–7 Gus Dorazio UD 10 Oct 7, 1940 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
73 Loss 54–12–7 Joe Louis TKO 8 (15), 1:24 Jun 20, 1940 Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
72 Loss 54–11–7 Joe Louis SD 15 Feb 9, 1940 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
71 Loss 54–10–7 Eduardo Primo DQ 8 (12) Aug 19, 1939 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina Lost South American heavyweight title;
Primo DQ'd for hitting low
70 Win 54–9–7 Valentin Campolo PTS 12 Jul 22, 1939 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina Retained South American heavyweight title
69 Win 53–9–7 Alberto Lovell PTS 12 Apr 8, 1939 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina Won South American heavyweight title
68 Loss 52–9–7 Valentin Campolo PTS 12 Mar 4, 1939 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
67 Win 52–8–7 Eusebio Ramirez KO 3 (12) Jan 28, 1939 Ciudad Mendoza, Argentina
66 Win 51–8–7 Hans Birkie PTS 10 Dec 18, 1938 Buenos Aires, Argentina
65 Win 50–8–7 Hans Havlicek TKO 2 (10) Nov 26, 1938 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
64 Loss 49–8–7 Alberto Lovell PTS 12 Jul 23, 1938 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
63 Win 49–7–7 Valentin Campolo PTS 12 Jun 18, 1938 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
62 Win 48–7–7 Dionisio Cristante KO 1 (10) Jun 3, 1938 Teatro Mitre, Montevideo, Uruguay
61 Win 47–7–7 Eddie Mader TKO 5 (10) Nov 9, 1937 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
60 Loss 46–7–7 Nathan Mann PTS 10 Oct 8, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
59 Draw 46–6–7 Roscoe Toles PTS 10 Aug 4, 1937 University of Detroit Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
58 Win 46–6–6 Tony Galento PTS 6 Jun 22, 1937 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, US
57 Loss 45–6–6 Roscoe Toles PTS 10 May 21, 1937 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
56 Win 45–5–6 Tony Galento PTS 10 Apr 28, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
55 Draw 44–5–6 Maurice Strickland PTS 10 Mar 10, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
54 Win 44–5–5 Art Sykes KO 3 (8) Feb 25, 1937 Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
53 Win 43–5–5 Otis Thomas TKO 3 (10) Feb 3, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
52 Win 42–5–5 Jack Roper KO 7 (10) Jan 14, 1937 Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
51 Draw 41–5–5 Al Ettore PTS 10 Nov 11, 1936 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
50 Draw 41–5–4 Leroy Haynes PTS 10 Oct 21, 1936 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
49 Win 41–5–3 Luis Ángel Firpo RTD 3 (12) Jul 11, 1936 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
48 Win 40–5–3 Vincenz Hower TKO 10 (12) Dec 21, 1935 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
47 Win 39–5–3 Eduardo Primo PTS 12 Dec 7, 1935 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
46 Win 38–5–3 Oscar Davidson KO 1 (10) Sep 7, 1935 Estadio Brasil, Río de Janeiro, Brazil
45 Draw 37–5–3 Eduardo Primo PTS 12 Jul 13, 1935 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
44 Win 37–5–2 Antonio Sebastiao TKO 3 (10) May 18, 1935 Estadio Brasil, Río de Janeiro, Brazil
43 Win 36–5–2 Tommy Loughran PTS 10 Mar 17, 1935 Campos de Sports de Ñuñoa, Santiago de Chile, Argentina
42 Loss 35–5–2 Tommy Loughran UD 12 Jan 5, 1935 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
41 Win 35–4–2 Jose Carattoli PTS 12 Nov 24, 1934 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
40 Draw 34–4–2 Tommy Loughran PTS 12 Oct 20, 1934 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
39 Win 34–4–1 Eduardo Primo PTS 12 Sep 29, 1934 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
38 Loss 33–4–1 Billy Jones PTS 10 Aug 12, 1934 Stadium Nacional, Santiago de Chile, Chile
37 Win 33–3–1 Erwin Klausner PTS 10 Jun 24, 1934 Stadium Nacional, Santiago de Chile, Chile
36 Win 32–3–1 Erwin Klausner PTS 12 Apr 22, 1934 Campos de Sports de Ñuñoa, Santiago de Chile, Chile
35 Loss 31–3–1 Victorio Campolo PTS 12 Mar 1, 1934 Buenos Aires, Argentina
34 Win 31–2–1 Esteban Senestraro TKO 6 (12) Jan 20, 1934 Club Atletico River Plate, Buenos Aires, Argentina
33 Win 30–2–1 Mario Lenzi KO 2 (12) Jan 5, 1934 Club Atletico River Plate, Buenos Aires, Argentina
32 Win 29–2–1 Salvatore Zaetta KO 3 (?) Dec 6, 1933 Buenos Aires, Argentina
31 Win 28–2–1 Vicente Parrile PTS 10 Aug 23, 1933 Plaza de Toros de Las Arenas, Barcelona, Spain
30 Win 27–2–1 Mateo de la Osa TKO 7 (10) Jul 26, 1933 Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
29 Win 26–2–1 Raul Bianchi KO 2 (10) Jul 1, 1933 Plaza de Toros Monumental, Barcelona, Spain
28 Win 25–2–1 Rafaele Siciliano KO 2 (10) Jun 14, 1933 Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
27 Win 24–2–1 Santiago Sola PTS 10 May 31, 1933 Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
26 Win 23–2–1 Jesus Rodriguez KO 2 (10) May 9, 1933 Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
25 Win 22–2–1 Angel Roman KO 1 (10) May 2, 1933 Teatro Circo Olympia, Barcelona, Spain
24 Win 21–2–1 'Young' John Herrera PTS 10 Apr 1, 1933 Arena Cristal, Havana, Cuba
23 Win 20–2–1 Frank Cawley PTS 10 Feb 27, 1933 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
22 Win 19–2–1 Pantaleon Musolino KO 2 (?) Feb 25, 1933 Havana, Cuba
21 Win 18–2–1 Rufino Alvarez KO 5 (?) Feb 4, 1933 Havana, Cuba
20 Win 17–2–1 Dewey Kimrey TKO 5 (10) Jan 24, 1933 Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US
19 Loss 16–2–1 Frankie Edgren PTS 10 Jan 10, 1933 Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US
18 Win 16–1–1 Chick Raines RTD 5 (10) Dec 6, 1932 Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US
17 Win 15–1–1 Johnny Mack TKO 5 (10) Nov 21, 1932 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
16 Win 14–1–1 Frankie Palmo TKO 10 (10), 2:50 Nov 11, 1932 Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US
15 Win 13–1–1 Tony Ferrante KO 1 (10) Oct 31, 1932 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
14 Win 12–1–1 Joe King TKO 5 (10) Oct 21, 1932 Benjamin Field Arena, Tampa, Florida, US
13 Win 11–1–1 Irving Ashkenazy TKO 5 (10) Oct 7, 1932 Benjamin Field Arena, Tampa, Florida, US
12 Win 10–1–1 Cyclone Smith PTS 10 Sep 26, 1932 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
11 Win 9–1–1 Ben Logan KO 2 (10) Sep 12, 1932 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
10 Win 8–1–1 Gordon Fortenberry PTS 10 Aug 22, 1932 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
9 Win 7–1–1 Ray Swanson KO 7 (10) Aug 1, 1932 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
8 Draw 6–1–1 Pedro Proenza PTS 10 Jul 16, 1932 Viejo Fronton, Havana, Cuba
7 Win 6–1 Antonio Hevia PTS 10 Jul 2, 1932 Miramar Garden, Havana, Cuba
6 Win 5–1 Pantaleon Musolino DQ 2 (10) Jun 25, 1932 Havana, Cuba Musolino DQ'd for headbutting and biting
5 Win 4–1 Luis Aravena PTS 8 Dec 6, 1931 Campos de Sports de Ñuñoa, Santiago de Chile, Chile
4 Win 3–1 Peter Johnson PTS 10 Jun 14, 1931 Stadium Nacional, Santiago de Chile, Chile
3 Win 2–1 Oscar Ramirez KO 2 (6) May 30, 1931 Stadium Nacional, Santiago de Chile, Chile
2 Loss 1–1 Luis Aravena KO ? (10) Mar 7, 1931 Coliseo Popular, Valparaiso, Chile
1 Win 1–0 Peter Johnson PTS 6 Dec 21, 1930 Pabellón Nacional, Santiago de Chile, Chile