Raul Rojas (November 5, 1941 – May 20, 2012) was an American featherweight boxer. He accumulated a record of 38 wins (24 by KO), 7 losses and 2 draws. On March 28, 1968, Rojas defeated Enrique Higgins to win the WBA Featherweight Title, which

Vicente Saldivar Vicente Samuel Saldívar García (May 3, 1943 – July 18, 1985) was a Mexican professional boxer who competed between 1971 and 1973. He was a two-time featherweight champion, having held the WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' titles from 1964 until ...

had vacated after announcing his retirement. He lost the title on September 27, 1968 to

Shozo Saijo is a Japanese former professional boxer from Saitama. He is a former WBA featherweight champion. Biography Saijo made his professional debut in August, 1964, but did not show immediate promise in the ring, losing or drawing against several ...

. Rojas was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. Rojas who was of

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

descent grew up as a gangster, leading the group "Little Roy's Gang". Two of his brothers were sent to

San Quentin State Prison San Quentin State Prison (SQ) is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men, located north of San Francisco in the unincorporated place of San Quentin in Marin County. Opened in July 1852, San Quentin is the ...

, while Rojas spent time at the

California Division of Juvenile Justice The California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), previously known as the California Youth Authority (CYA), is a division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that provides education, training, and treatment services fo ...

. He once said that "If it were not for boxing, I'd probably either be in San Quentin or would already have made the trip to the gas chamber." He died of natural causes at the age of 70. He was survived by daughters Rebecca and Guadalupe.

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* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rojas, Raul American boxers of Mexican descent World Boxing Association champions World featherweight boxing champions 2012 deaths 1941 births American male boxers People from San Pablo, California