‘Little Poison’ Isn’t Bitter About Boxing

As ugly as boxing has become in recent years, Jesus Pimentel still professes a love for the sport he once terrorized as a world-class bantamweight.

“My kid asks me once in a while, ‘Dad, if you could start all over, would you box again?’ ” said Pimentel, a 19-year resident of North Hills. “I tell him, ‘You’re darn right. It’s a great sport.’ ”

Pimentel, 57, was one of the most feared fighters of his era, amassing an 81-7 record with 72 knockouts through the 1960s and early ‘70s. His explosive attack earned him recognition as the “greatest knockout puncher in bantamweight history from 1856-1968” by Ring Magazine.

Pimentel, born in the town of Sayula, Mexico, grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and then East Los Angeles. As an amateur boxer, Pimentel wasn’t overly impressive, but he surged into prominence as a pro by stopping Jose Portillo Lopez at the Olympic Auditorium in 1963. Though successful in the ring, Pimentel’s career would be marked by near-misses as he sought a world championship belt.

In 1964, his first match fell through in a contract dispute. In 1965, he lost a split decision to Jose Medel that cost him a title match. His manager later turned down another opportunity to fight for the title in Japan.

Pimentel, nicknamed “Little Poison,” was a big local draw throughout his career, headlining cards at the Los Angeles Sports Arena and Olympic Auditorium during its heyday. He boxed on the Forum’s inaugural fight card in 1968 and fought in Woodland Hills.

Admittedly past his prime, Pimentel met Ruben Olivares for the world title Dec. 14, 1971, at the Forum. Pimentel battled for 12 rounds before his manager stopped the fight. Pimentel retired after the fight with few regrets.

“I thank God that I knew when to call it quits,” Pimentel said. “I felt punches in that fight that I had never felt before.”

Pimentel, a father of four and a grandfather, stays busy today with the landscaping and gardening business he owns. He still follows boxing and trains young fighters in his spare time.