It took him seven months to fulfill his dream, winning the title for both himself and his father in a bout against Arturo Frias. Mancini successfully defended the WBA lightweight crown four times, including a fierce knockout over Duk-Koo Kim after which Kim died. Still recovering from the emotional trauma of Kim’s death, Mancini lost his title in a 1984 battle with Livingstone Bramble in Buffalo, New York. After he lost a rematch against Bramble via a close decision in 1985, Mancini decided to retire. But “Boom Boom” could be seen two more times in the ring, first losing controversially to Hector Camacho in 1989 (L12), and then more convincingly to Greg Haugen in 1992 (KO by 7). His loss to Haugen was the one to seal his boxing career for good. Leaving a record of 29–5, with 23 knockouts, Ray went on to appear in and produce a handful of films in his post-boxing days.