Knockout of a graduate

Palomino started boxing after joining the U.S. Army when he was 20 years old, where he achieved the status of National Champion and Champion of the Army with a record of 35-1. He also went to the trials for the 1972 Olympic Games, but failed to qualify. 

"I wasn't too young when I started boxing, Oscar de la Hoya started when he was 5 years old," Palomino said.  "As a kid I often got into street fights and it was there when I realized I should be a fighter."

At the age of 23 Palomino started his professional career as a boxer and also as a student at the Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. It was just two years later when Palomino transferred to Cal State Long Beach and became a 49er. 

The professional boxer and student did not have a regular college life, full of parties and fun. 

"I feel bad that I couldn't enjoy my college years to the maximum," he said. "I was too deep into boxing, training and studying at the same time. There was no time for parties and girlfriends. My friends used to tell me I should become a priest."

In 1976 Carlos won the WBC welterweight championship in London after knocking out John Stracey in the 11th round. He kept the crown for three years until he lost to Puerto Rican Wilfredo Benitez in 1979. 

"They stole  the fight," Palomino said. "Benitez ran away from me the whole time, and the judges gave him the decision. The fight was in Puerto Rico and I knew I had to knock him out to win it."

Palomino said he waited eight months for a promised rematch, but it never happened. 

After one year of being the best welterweight boxer in the world, Palomino graduated from CSULB with a bachelor's degree in recreation administration. 

"I couldn't even attend my graduation ceremony because I was defending my title for the first time," Palomino said.

Even when many media reporters on and off campus covered stories about the CSULB boxing world champion, not too many students were aware of him. 

"I think it was because there was no boxing at all in the university," Palomino said. 

According to Palomino, most of his professors supported him in his career. One of his most memorable moments at CSULB was when he talked to the track and field coach about some physical problems he had when he fought. 

The coach, the late Jack Hale, invited him to start running with the team, promising he was going to improve his physical condition, Palomino said. 

"I feel really grateful to the coach," he said. "After I started doing what he told me to do and running with the team every day, I never had problems again."

After 1979, "King Carlos," as the world champion was called decided to stay away from the ring and start a new career as an actor. 

"It was an acting class that I took at LBSU that made me choose a new career after I finished boxing," Palomino said. "It was a strong influence."

His first appearance as an actor was in the television series "Taxi" in 1979. He has since appeared in 17 movies, including the film "Geronimo" with Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall and Matt Damon.

Palomino's latest film is called "Price of Glory," with Jimmy Smits, and is due out in March. 

After the death of his father in 1997, Palomino went back to the ring for five more fights in his honor. He went against some of the best welterweight boxers of the time, knocking out four of the five. 

"For my dad there was nothing else but boxing, and his happiest years were those when I was the champion of the world," he said. "I was so hurt when he died and I went back to fight because of him. He supported me all the times and he went with me everywhere."

According to Palomino, even when he lost that fifth fight he felt he had won it, since he had released all the pain over the loss of his father.

The now 50-year-old Sherman Oaks resident owns a boxing gym in Westminster called the Westminster Boxing Club, which he built along with his father and friends many years ago during his years as a professional boxer.

As a former student, Carlos Palomino said he visits CSULB once in a while. He usually attends the basketball games and the boxing matches that are eventually held at The Pyramid. 

Palomino was recently inducted into the 49er Athletic Hall of Fame.  "I want to say thanks to the school for inducting me into the Hall of Fame and also to all the faculty staff members and students who always supported me as a student-boxer," Palomino said. 

Palomino also offers motivational speeches for workers and students in large companies and schools.  Based on his education and personal experience, he speaks and demonstrates to people how to achieve major goals based on constancy and dedication. 

"People used to say that it wasn't possible to be world champion and graduate from college at the same time, but here I am," Palomino said. "I made it.".