Louis "The Facelifter" Monaco (born April 28, 1968) is a professional boxer in the heavyweight division and the former CAM (Canadian American Mexican) heavyweight champion. Nicknamed "The Facelifter," Monaco is a clubfighter who fought several significant fighters of his era including world champions Buster Douglas, Trevor Berbick, Vitali Klitschko, Lamon Brewster, Michael Dokes, and Eric Esch.[1]
Monaco turned pro in 1995 at the age of twenty-seven, after a professional bodybuilding career.
In Monaco’s second bout, his opponent Eric "Butterbean" Esch quickly connected with a devastating right hand that knocked Monaco out. The referee immediately called a halt to the bout as Monaco lay motionless at the edge of the ring.[2] He would go on to fight Trevor Berbick, Kirk Johnson, Vitali Klitschko, Lamon Brewster, Fres Oquendo, Lance Whitaker, and Maurice Harris.[3] But he also had some notable successes, particularly earlier in his career, when he drew with former kickboxer Rick Roufus, knocked out Peter McNeeley and beat Michael Dokes. Another big win came by knockout over a then-undefeated Kevin McBride.[4]
On May 13, 1997, Monaco faced Buster Douglas as part of the former world champion's comeback after six years of inactivity. The fight was carried on national television as part of a USA Tuesday Night Fights program, and was Monaco's first fight since he defeated Dokes. Although Monaco had hurt Douglas and left him on unsteady legs in the first round, Douglas managed to survive to finish the round. As the referee stepped in to separate the two fighters, Monaco caught Douglas flush with a right hook that dropped him to the canvas. Douglas required assistance to rise to his feet, and since the punch came after the bell it was considered a foul and Douglas was given five minutes to recover. He was not able to continue and Monaco was disqualified as a result.[5]