Bobby Chacon (November 28, 1951 - September 7, 2016) was an American two-time world boxing champion at Featherweight (1974) and Super Featherweight (1982). Chacon had a record of 59 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw with 47 wins coming by knockout. He held victories over seven other men who held a world title, and later avenged 5 of his 7 losses. The world champions he beat were: Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo, Danny Lopez, Alfredo Marcano, Rafael Limon, Cornelius Boza-Edwards and Arturo Frias.

Early career

Born in Pacoima, in the San Fernando Valley, Chacon who was of Mexican descent graduated from San Fernando High School and turned professional in 1972 while a student at California State University, Northridge, leading to the nickname "Schoolboy". He trained under Joe Ponce and won his first 19 fights, including a win against former champion Jesus Castillo. Fourteen months into his professional career, Chacon faced world champion Ruben Olivares but lost the bout when Olivares scored a ninth-round knock out. After suffering his first defeat against Olivares, Chacon won his nest four bouts, then faced off against cross-town rival and future champion Danny Lopez. Chacon outboxed Lopez and stopped him in the ninth round.

Chacon, whose good looks and charisma made him a fan favorite, had many memorable fights, including four with longtime rival Rafael "Bazooka" Limon. He was named to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.

He was "one of the most exciting fighters in the history of the West Coast," Farris told the Times, "an amazing blood-and-guts brawler who took on the best fighters in three divisions."

Chacon was a top featherweight with a maximum weight of 126 pounds when he challenged Venezuelas's Alfredo Marcano for the World Boxing Council's championship in 1974. Chacon dominated the fight and claimed the title with a ninth-round technical knockout.

He had one successful title defense but was, by his own admission, drawn to the fast life, including excessive drinking and drug use. In 1975, only 10 days before he was scheduled to defend his crown against Ruben Olivares, Chacon was 16 pounds overweight.

He managed to sweat off the extra pounds, but in his weakened state he was no match for Olivares. The fight was stopped in the second round after he was knocked down twice.

Early in his career, Chacon was known for his quickness, strong punching and command of defensive tactics. Later, as the demands of a heavy boxing schedule, he had 18 fights from 1975 to 1979, began to erode his ring skills, he became more of a toe-to-toe slugger.

His wife, the former Valorie Ginn, begged him to give up boxing, especially after devastating losses to super-featherweight champions Alexis Arguello in 1979 and Cornelius Boza-Edwards in 1981. She wanted him to find a regular job and to stay home with their three children.

In March 1982, on the eve of Chacon's fight with Salvador Ugalde, Valorie Chacon committed suicide with a rifle at the family's ranch in Northern California. Her husband went through with the fight, winning by TKO.