When Golden Gloves ruled, Part II
(Editor’s note: Part two of a seven-part series about local, area, and state amateur and professional boxing.)
By RODNEY HATLE
Contributing Writer
Raul Donoso had a boxing style unlike others.
He could shift from the standard stance to one in which he continually tapped his gloved fists at the chest-high level. From that position, and with excellent footwork, he surprised opponents with speed and power, especially with his quick left.
Raul proved to be a superb boxer.
In January 1948, weighing fewer than 150 pounds and with added years of maturity, “he easily won” (or so it seemed when it was finished) the welterweight division of District 17. But in truth he had prepared himself physically and mentally. He was very ready. Because of that seeming ease, he may have been considered “untested,” so he was called “an unknown” at the Upper Midwest Tournament in Minneapolis the next month.
Twin Cities newspapers “paid him little heed,” according to the New Richland Star report written by student writer and classmate Lowell Johnson.“When Raul won they jumped on his bandwagon and gave him splendid publicity ... because he had proven himself...”
This was front page news in the local Star: “Orphaned Boy Wins Admiration of City Sports Writers with Performances at Meet.”
Raul John Donoso's community had grown high hopes for him. Now came an additional outpouring. “The New Richland Commercial Club has set aside a sum of money to be given Raul to help defray expenses,” wrote Johnson.
Golden Gloves officials presented him with “a robe, jacket, boxing shoes, socks, and trunks to wear at the Chicago Tournament of Champions. The Golden Gloves [token on a chain to be worn around the neck] he won at Owatonna as a winner in the district and the ones he won at the state with a diamond set in the palms seemed to pale into insignificance as he contemplated the boxing togs.”
In Chicago, Donoso “drew a first round bye” then “won all the way” by decision, defeating an opponent from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He became “the lone Minnesota [Upper Midwest team] survivor in the Chicago classic.” (Daily People’s Press, Owatonna, Feb. 26, 1948)
But in the victory his left thumb was broken, thus disqualifying him for further completion.
That was, to say the least, a disappointment for the young fighter. Just as it of course was for all who had followed his successes.
But results speak volumes. He had prepared perfectly and proven himself under pressure. This was an unforgettable personal experience for Donoso. And it was an eye-opener for his small town following who read:
“CHICAGO – (AP) – Raul Donoso, New Richland, Minn., last night defaulted to Bob Rossie, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions because of a broken thumb on his left hand.”
Space was created in the 1947-48 New Richland Cardinal yearbook by squeezing the basketball section. These are the facts from that half-page:
At Owatonna: defeated Bob Duzbabek by KO (knock-out) and Don Kenow by decision (both of Faribault), and Harvey Ronglien of Owatonna by first round KO.
At Minneapolis: defeated Robert Tibbetts of Deer River and Don Mucha of Wells (both first-round knock-outs); defeated Bernie Cardinal of St. Paul and Jimmy Johnson of St. Cloud (both by decision).
That was “...a strong victory over Johnson,” according to the yearbook half-page with his picture in a boxing pose.
“Donoso’s good sportsmanship won the favor of the fans all through the fights, and the sports writers praised him in their papers. Donoso was not predicted to win ... in Chicago [but] he won a decisive victory.” The injury “forced [him] to forfeit ... by doctor’s orders.”
(To be continued.)