Farewell to Fundi by Dale Pierce

Posted by Bookespana on November 17th, 2012

He has become an institution in Spain, but you won’t get to see him any more in action unless he decides to make a comeback or appears in a charity festival. Either might be a possibility as with Fundi anything is possible.

This was something he proved over and over in bullrings large and small for well over two decades.

It was under this name he became known as a fearless performer who had no aversion to facing the largest bulls from ranches many top toreros were reluctant to fight. He had a preference for the dreaded Miuras, known for delivering death to many toreros and the Victorinos, reputed for their massive size.

In the ring, Fundi was a complete torero, capable in all phases of the bullfight. He did well with both lures and was better than average with the sword, but his specialty was the banderillas.

It stands to reason Fundi would be able to show such form and style, as a graduate of the famed bullfighting school in Madrid, which previously created Jose Arroyo “Joselito” Lucio Sandin and Juli.

Fundi became a major star in France, possibly even more popular in Nimes and other rings than he was in his native Spain. On Spanish soil, however, he did more than hold his own. He was a regular in Madrid, as well as other major plazas. In the past few seasons, however, he seemed to find himself in more dangerous situations. He took two major gorings and came close to being paralyzed when he landed on his head during a hard tossing.

During his farewell tour completed in 1212, he looked like the Fundi of old and seemed unaffected by his past gorings. It was a great way to go out.

Experts point out that aside from being a respected personality in the plaza de toros himself, Fundi held his own in competition with many equally talented rivals, such as Fandi (note the difference in spelling as the two men were often confused by the unknowing), Juli, Bote, Morante and the Mexican, Manolo Mejia.

When sharing the card with other matadores who placed the banderillas, the corridas often turned into duels with the sticks as the men took these from their helpers and placed them in turn.

Not everyone who retires stays retired, however. Likewise history is full of men who made one or even multiple comebacks after an elaborate series of farewell fights.

Case in point would be that of the Mexican, Lorenzo Garza. A 1956 Mexicali newspaper ran a long editorial complaining of Garza’s intent to make a farewell fight in their ring, when he had already done so three times before and returned to action, changing his mind. How little the editor knew Garza would be pulling the same stunt way into the 1960s before finally hanging it up for good.

Will Fundi stay out of action or will he be back again in short order?

Time will tell.

In the meantime, Madrid and the rest of the bullfighting world says farewell and wishes good luck to a favorite son.

About The Author

Attending a bullfight in Madrid is an unforgettable experience. BookEspana, the premier Bullfighting experience specialists, offer great value Madrid bullfighting tickets and can deliver them directly to your hotel where you are staying.