Lean Frizzera has painted a new mural of Argentine boxing legend Oscar Bonavena in Parque Patricios, Buenos Aires. Photos by Buenos Aires Street Art.
Ringo Bonavena painted by Lean Frizzera (photo © BA Street Art)
The mural entitled ‘Colossus of Patricios’ located in the neighbourhood of Parque Patricios depicts Argentine heavyweight champion Oscar Bonavena nicknamed ‘Ringo’ after The Beatles band member Ringo Starr. The mural was organised by architecture firm LS Desarrollos and was painted with assistance from artists Dario Coronda & Laura Zoppi.
Bonavena fought against Muhammad Ali (photo © BA Street Art)
Bonavena registered 58 wins, 9 losses & a 1 draw in a career that saw him take on Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden, New York in December 1970. Ringo took Ali to the 15th and final round but he needed to knock out ‘The Greatest’ as he was losing on points. Coming out punching, he knocked him down three times before the fight was awarded to Ali. Ringo also fought other boxing titans such as Joe Frazier (twice) including a world heavyweight final contest in Philadelphia in 1968 that he lost on points, & also took on Floyd Patterson and Jimmy Ellis.
“Born Great” (photo © BA Street Art)
Details in the mural feature Ringo’s name written on his shorts and the stadium of Argentine Club Atletíco Huracán in the background. The boxer was a huge fan of the football club and in one of its stands is a sculpture recreating a historic photo taken of him before his fight against Muhammad Ali. Above Lean’s portrait of Ringo is the phrase: ‘Born Great’.
Ringo in front of Huracán football stadium (photo © BA Street Art)
On May 22, 1976, Bonavena was shot dead outside the infamous Mustang Ranch brothel near Reno, Nevada. He was just 33. His death is shrouded in controversy. Thomas Gerbasi of Boxing Online wrote: “Bonavena was shot by a bodyguard while allegedly attempting to confront brothel owner Joe Conforte, who in turn believed the boxer was sleeping with his wife Sally and trying to take his business. If it sounds like a mess that no one alive knows the truth about, that’s accurate.”
View of mural along Av. Jujuy Parque Patricios (photo © BA Street Art)
Back in Buenos Aires, on 27 May 1976, 150,000 fans gathered to mourn Bonavena’s passing at Chacarita Cemetery. Bonavena was described as wild, brave, and larger than life and his death was as dramatic as his fights.
Mural is located on the corner of Av. Caseros & Av. Jujuy.
All photos © Buenos Aires Street Art
