Eduardo Manuel de Melo, aptly nicknamed “The Hurricane,” was renowned for his boxing tactics, fluid movements, and unique style, writes itoronto.info. However, his tumultuous personal life mirrored the intensity of his boxing career, ultimately leading to its premature end.
Here, we dive into the story of Canada’s “Hurricane” Melo, referencing globalnews.ca, thestar.com and cbc.ca.
Childhood Pride
Melo grew up in a working-class neighbourhood where his father worked as a construction labourer.
The future boxer often sported black eyes during his youth, a testament to his constant fighting. Far from being ashamed of his bruises, young Melo wore them as a badge of pride, never bothering to hide them behind sunglasses.
A Successful Debutant
Melo’s obsession with boxing began in 1971 when he watched a televised fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
Inspired, Melo dropped out of school in ninth grade and used a forged birth certificate to live in Verdun, where his boxing journey began. As an amateur boxer, Melo achieved an impressive record of 93 wins and only four losses.
Professional Boxing
Determined to make boxing his full-time career, Melo debuted as a professional on March 7, 1978, at the age of just 17. His fluid style and dynamic movements earned him the nickname “The Hurricane.”
Between 1978 and 1979, Melo emerged victorious in 12 matches, many of which he won by knockout. In 1979, he claimed the middleweight championship title.
Lucrative Earnings
Within the first year and a half of his professional career, Melo earned $150,000, making him one of Canada’s highest-paid boxers at the time.
Memorable Fights
On October 31, 1978, Melo faced the seasoned Fernand Marcotte in a ten-round match, which ended in Melo’s victory.
The two fighters met twice more—Marcotte won the rematch, while their third bout ended in a draw.
These encounters became part of the “golden archive” of Canadian boxing history.
The Beginning of the End
Among Melo’s fans was a notorious gangster, Frank Cotroni.
On March 11, 1980, Melo suffered a loss against Gary Summerhays, plunging him into a deep depression. During this vulnerable period, Melo grew closer to Cotroni, a friendship that would profoundly impact his life and behaviour.
Known for his fiery temperament, Melo’s connection with Cotroni led to a series of legal troubles. In 1980, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail for stabbing someone with a pocketknife during an altercation.
Melo was later accused of extortion and illegal weapon possession.
The 1980s marked a steep decline in Melo’s boxing career. In 1981, he lost a match to Ralph Hollett and faced yet another criminal charge, though he denied any wrongdoing.
Final Matches
On May 4, 1982, Melo competed against Jimmy Gradson in a fiercely contested bout. Spectators were on edge throughout the match, which ended with Gradson’s victory.
Melo’s final notable fight took place in the summer of 1983, where he secured a win.
End of Career
Afterward, Melo became deeply entangled with criminal circles and was frequently involved in illicit activities. Law enforcement closely monitored his movements, often bringing him to justice for his crimes.
Melo never returned to the ring.
His boxing career officially ended in 1986. Over his professional career, Melo achieved 24 victories in 34 matches.
Photos: rds.ca