Margie Cervin of Bainbridge Island, Wahington, called me to pass on the sad news that former El Paso boxer, Pete Cervin, her husband, had passed away November 15th, 2010. Pete died of complications from pnuemonia at age eighty. ...She told me that Pete was unable to make any phone calls or send letters the many months of his illness. However, he wanted his wife to notify Tom McKay, Jesse Fonseca, Dr. Raul Rivera, and any of the living old timers to express his friendship and ever lasting love for El Paso and his many loved ones, friends, and acquaintances. He also requested that his Los Angeles Boxing Group be notified should he pass on. He met regularly with Art (Golden Boy) Aragon, Enrique Bolanos, Oscar De LA Hoya and a host of other great boxers from the Los Angeles area.
Pete was an amateur boxing star in the 1940's and won many titles in El Paso and later in New York. He turned professional in New York after ringing up a stunning 62-5 amateur boxing record. His professional career began in New York and he lost nearly half of his first twenty fights as there was pressure from the underworld to make certain that certain fighters won bouts. He made the move to more friendly Los Angeles where he was able to perform at a commendable level of fitness and skill and established himself as a welterweight and middleweight contender. He also was a favorite in Arizona and in 1950 he won the USA State Middleweight Championship.
When TV was in its infancy in black and white, Pete was one of the first Mexican/American guests on many of the Los Angeles based programs.
As for his boxing career, Pete was on track after a few big wins to fight world champion Carl 'Bobo' Olson but that nasty tonic, Alcohol, intervened in his life and as anyone with any sense knows, beat him down to a wretched physical mess. However, Pete became one in a million as he fought back against the poison and once sober, finished his career with a flourish, winning five of his last six bouts.
Pete gained employment early in his career with The Parks & Recreation Department of Los Angeles, California. That served the most affable man I have ever known well and he was able to retire comfortably. He took all his vacations to his beloved city of El Paso and was a welcome guest in our home. He was also inducted into The El Paso Boxing / Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1994.
Myself and the El Paso Boxing Family as well as countless friends and peers of Pete in Los Angeles and Washington will miss him dearly. However, be happy in life as Pete was and would wish each and every one of us. After all, we will all be just like him soon enough....Stardust to stars in the heavens.
Thomas W. McKay
www.convictedartist.com
