Former Titlist Rodriguez Dies

Luis Rodriguez, a slick Cuban welterweight who fought a memorable four-bout series with Emile Griffith in the 1960s, has died at 59.

Rodriguez, who won 107 of 120 fights with 49 knockouts, died Monday at a Miami Beach hospital. He had undergone kidney dialysis for the past two years.

“He belonged with the great ones,” Angelo Dundee, who trained Rodriguez, said.

Rodriguez lost a 10-round decision to Griffith in 1960, then beat Griffith in his first fight after Griffith had knocked out Bennie Paret to win the title. Paret died after that fight.

Shaken, Griffith lost the title to Rodriguez on points in 15 rounds in Los Angeles on March 21, 1963. Griffth then beat Rodriguez twice in the next 13 months.