Champion Rocky Lockridge Passes: 2 Time World Champion and Class Act
April 24, 2024
Simon Ruvalcaba
In recent days it had been reported that former Super Featherweight Champion Rocky Lockridge was in hospice care at the age of 60. Recent reports that he was released to go home gave many fans a brief impression that he was suddenly well, that however was not the case and Lockridge passed away this morning.
Lockridge won the WBA Super Featherweight title in 1984 when he defeated Roger Mayweather. He held the title for over a year, losing it in 1985 to the great Wilfredo Gomez. In 1987 he had another year long title run, winning the IBF Super Featherweight belt against Barry Michael and losing the belt in 1988 to Tony “The Tiger” Lopez. “What can I say, we just lost a great champion. As I remember him he was a gentleman, lovely wife good looking kids. He had it all. Sad story of course but GOD called him home. As I know him this world lost a great man.” Lopez said in an exclusive statement to Punchline.
On two other occasions he challenged for Super Featherweight titles losing a split decision to Eusebio Pedroza, who also is at the present time fighting for his own life in Panama, and he lost by majority decision in 1986 to the great Julio Cesar Chavez. He retired in 1992 with a career record of 44-9 (36) suffering only one career KO defeat to Juan Laporte. R.I.P. champ.
About the Editor
Army Veteran and former Professional Boxer Simon Ruvalcaba started boxing at the age of ten and Had a 71 fight amateur career which featured a 139 lbs. 1998 8th U.S. Army Boxing Championship out of Camp Casey, Korea and a spot on the prestigious Army Boxing Team at Fort Hood, TX. After a journeyman pro career of 18 fights, which included sparring sessions with many champions and contenders including Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker, Simon started writing and has contributed to many publications and websites including fighthype.com, pound4pound.com, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV). He has also been the Boxing Instructor for Ken Shamrock and The Lions Den and was MMA and Bareknuckle star Paige VanZant’s first boxing coach!
Born and Raised in South Lake Tahoe, California he now resides in Sun Valley, Nevada and spends as much time as possible with his Sons Gabriel and Oscar! Beyond boxing, Simon is an all around sports fanatic and is passionate about the teams that he roots for. Simon also works as a Sportsbook Supervisor for Caesars Sportsbook in Lake Tahoe.
