Justo Suárez

Justo Suárez (January 5, 1909 – August 10, 1938), nicknamed "El Torito de Mataderos" ("The Little Bull of Mataderos)", was a popular Argentine light weight boxer. His huge popularity was widely greater than his professional achievements as a fighter.

Suárez is regarded as the first idol (and one of the greatest) in the history of Argentine boxing. quoted=yes

Suárez returned to New York City to fight for the World Championship, having to fight several rivals on the road to the title. His fight was against a tough boxer, Billy Petrolle, who was not well known, but who defeated Suárez in 9 rounds. This was the first loss in Suárez's professional career. With this defeat, Suárez lost the chance to fight for the world championship.

Sometime before, Suárez had caught tuberculosis and the illness progressed in him. In 1932, he lost his second match, this time at the hands of Víctor Peralta. This broke up his deal with his mentor Lectoure. Now weakened by the sickness, Suárez went to Córdoba with the little money he had. Three years later, he died in misery, far from his glory days.

His body was brought from Cosquín to Buenos Aires, and buried in La Chacarita Cemetery, The funeral was accompanied by a large crowd who took the coffin to Luna Park, the place where Suárez had won his most glorious fights.

In popular culture

On July 16, 1930, the popular Tango singer Charlo recorded Muñeco al Suelo, a song dedicated to Suárez. One of Julio Cortázar's most famous tales, Torito (from the book Final del Juego, 1956) is about Suárez, whom Cortázar admired. Argentine reggae band Los Pericos tributed Suárez with the song Torito, from the album Pampas Reggae (1994) In 2002, a movie inspired on Suárez and called I love you... Torito was released in Argentina. The street where the Nueva Chicago stadium is located on, was named "Justo Suárez" as a tribute to the boxer. So there is a bust of Suárez on the corner of Alberdi and Murguiondo streets, in the Mataderos neighborhood.