Legendary fight doctor, Ferdie Pacheco passes aged 89.

On another sad note, it’s my regret to report that former Muhammad Ali cornerman / Physician and celebrated boxing commentator Ferdie Pacheco has passed away at his home in Florida at the age of 89.

Born in Miami of Spanish / Cuban descent, Ferdie would make a habit of frequenting the legendary 5th Street Gym in the 1950s, fixing cuts for many of Angelo Dundee’s fighters in exchange for fight tickets.. Pacheco however came to prominence working with Ali throughout most of the Greatest’s championship triumphs, but will be most remembered for his honest compassion for his charge and his high profile disapproval of Ali’s ill fated 1980 bout with Larry Holmes.. Pacheco later worked as a commentator with the tv network NBC, hosting their Great Fights series, before joining Showtime as a guest analyst in the 1980s and 90’s, frequently opting to work Mexican fight cards to utilise his ability to speak fluent Spanish.. Ferdie disappeared from the public eye in the mid 2000’s to spend time with his family, and envelope himself in his writing and pursue his passion for painting.
Ferdie resided in his native Miami with his wife, Luisita, who has co-authored a number of his books and acted as his official photographer and manager, along with three daughters; Dawn Marie, Tina Louise, Evelyn and a son, Ferdie J. Pacheco, an accomplished astrologer to the stars.
The fight doctor will be sorely missed..