Jose King Roman
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Jose "King" Roman (born approx. in 1946) is a Puerto Rican former boxer who was Puerto Rico's regional (not world) heavyweight champion. He is better known as "Joe King Roman."
In late August of 1973, he travelled to Tokyo, Japan to challenge world Heavyweight champion George Foreman, losing by a knockout in the first round there on September 1st. Roman's corner protested that he was hit by Foreman while Roman was down, although no action was taken on this complaint.
Even though he lost, he made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican to challenge for the world's Heavyweight championship. The only fellow Puerto Rican to challenge for the heavyweight championship is John Ruiz, who later became the only Latino to hold a version of the heavyweight championship.
Roman retired in 1981 with a record of 53 wins, 24 losses and 3 draws, with 26 knockout wins.
After his retirement, he became a favorite subject of the Whatever happened to...? question in Puerto Rico. He now works at a Kash-n-Karry in Tampa FL.
