Canuto Cimental Robledo (January 19, 1913 – November 29, 1999) better known as Canto “TNT” Robledo (Robleto) was a Mexican-Americanprofessional boxer, trainer, and manager. Robledo was scheduled to face world bantamweight champion Panama Al Brown in late 1932 but during a tune up fight he was left blind in both eyes. After retiring from boxing for a few years Robledo became best known as being the only licensed blind boxing trainer in the history of the sport. He trained both amateur and professional fighters by what he called his "sense of touch” technique.
Early life
Canto Robledo was born Canuto Cimental Robledo on January 19, 1913. He was born in Tyrone, New Mexico a small town known for its copper mining. He is the third child of seven from Felipe and Soledad Robledo who immigrated from Cienega De Escobar, Durango Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. Canto’s father worked at the mines but in 1921 copper prices dropped thus closing the mines and eventually the town. In 1922 at the age of nine Canto & his family moved west to California to find better opportunities eventually settling in Pasadena, California.
Canto attended Grover Cleveland Elementary and Washington Jr High School, the same schools where Jackie Robinson would later attend. He was an honor student and a superb athlete winning various awards in soccer & track, at age 13 he won the city championship in tennis. After completing the 9th grade Canto dropped out of school due to financial difficulties, he would work picking oranges from the nearby orange groves. He briefly trained boxing with his father for the sake of being able to defend himself, and in 1928 at Brookside Park after a scuffle with a bully a 15-year-old Canto was discovered by local Pasadena boxing promoter Morrie Cohan.
Boxing career
Robledo began his training at the Pasadena Arena which was owned and operated by his promoter Morrie Cohan. He would be trained in both the amateur and pro ranks by German Otto. After several months of rigorous training his first bout would take place at the Los Angeles Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament in 1927. The tournament was held at the Grand Olympic Auditorium, Robledo would go on to win his first bout by split decision and the remaining bouts in his weight class. After turning 16 years old he decided to turn pro and on June 29, 1929 he won his first professional fight which was held at the Main Street Athletic Club versus Johnny Gabucco.
Personal life
Robledo married his longtime love Concha Jimenez in 1932, they were a couple for over 60 years until her passing in 1988. They had four children: Gloria Robledo Romero, Raymond “Bobby” Robledo, Irene Robledo Tellez, and Joseph Canto Robledo.
1987 – KCOP Sports Star of the Week by KCOP 13 – Honoring extraordinary abilities & his community humanitarian efforts
1988 – Humanitarian Award by the World Boxing Hall of Fame – Humanitarian accomplishments in and outside the ring
1988 – Los Angeles City Proclamation Award by L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich – Efforts for his contributions to the sport of boxing and working with the youth
2005 – World Boxing Hall of Fame, posthumous
2010 – Joe Louis Humanitarian Medal Award by the California State Athletic Commission – For exemplified community affairs for the good of humanity
2010 – Canto Robledo Memorial plaque at Villa Park by Pasadena Mexican American History Association – Honoring his legacy in boxing and community humanitarian efforts.
^Graham, Fredrick (28 June 1929). "Muscle Bound". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Staff Writer (22 October 1929). "Canto to Star in Main Event Thursday". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Staff Writer (31 October 1929). "Canto Robleto Fights Tonight in Effort to Extend Winning Streak. Robleto Makes Initial Main Event Showing". Pasadena Star News.
^Staff Writer (30 May 1930). "Great Boxing Show Given at Arena. Every bout Exciting on Card Last Night. Canto has Arrived as Fighter". Pasadena Star News.
^Staff Writer (June 12, 1930). "Canto Will Meet Dado. Flyweights will Battle in Main Event at Arena Tomorrow Night". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Staff Writer (13 June 1930). "Robleto And Dado Fight To Draw. Local Boy Makes Great Showing at Arena". Pasadena Star News.
^Staff Writer (9 August 1930). "Wolgast Defeats Robleto Easily in Hollywood Go". The Los Angeles Times.
^Staff Writer (5 December 1931). "Robleto Awarded Decision in San Francisco". Oakland Tribune Sports.
^Staff Writer (6 December 1931). "Wolgast is Signed with Canto Robleto". The Oakland Tribune Sports.
^Piñeda, Mannie (November 1950). "ORV Mohler Memorial Honors Canto Robledo"". Pasadena Star News.
^Piñeda, Mannie (February 1951). "Sportingly Yours: You Can See for Yourself Tonight". Pasadena Sports Scene.
^Shafer, Bob (August 7, 1952). "On an Undefeated Champion". Pasadena Star News.
^Shafer, Bob (25 April 1954). "Hail the Conquering Hero". Pasadena Star News.
^Santoreo, Al (17 June 1955). "To the Point: The Blind Man Who Teaches Boxing". Los Angeles Examiner.
^Piñeda, Mannie (26 September 1956). "Canto Honored by His Peers: Canto Robledo Honored at Boxing Writers Fete". Independent Star News.
^Smith, Robert (3 November 1956). "Canto Holds Benefit Dance for Unfortunate Kids". Independent Star news.
^Staff Writer (23 August 1958). "Finals Reached by Joe Robledo". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Staff Writer (30 August 1958). "Robledo Wins Title". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Piñeda, Mannie (14 September 1958). "Canto Robledo Slated for Top Honors at Fair". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Staff Writer (16 May 1959). "Top Amateur Ring Card Slated at Muir Friday". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Twombly, Wells (17 May 1959). "Unselfish Canto Dreams of Champ". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Staff Writer (15 December 1959). "Man of Many Missions". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Pickard, Don (22 September 1964). "Tragedy 'Cornered' Robledo, but He Came Back Swinging". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Allan, John (30 January 1966). "Blind Trainer 'Sees' His Fighters". Los Angeles Times.
^O’Neill, William (April 1968). "A Man of Great Vision"". No. April 1968. Boxing Illustrated.
^Libman, Gary (7 October 1973). "Blind Boxing Instructor". Pasadena Independent Star News.
^Taub, Sam (October 1974). "Up and Down Old Broadway". The Ring Magazine.
^González-Roth, Gloria (20 November 1980). "Canto Robledo: Warrior of the Ring". Q-Vo Magazine.