Rigoberto Riasco "El Pequeno Veneno / Little Poison"

[Rover]

The Story May 31, 1975

(Part III)

On Saturday Night - May 31, 1975 - In front of 4200 Nicaraguan fans at the 'Estadio Flor de Cana' (Baseball Park),
both fighters entered this bout without any "Pre-Fight Weign-In'. Though it was 'sanctioned' by the WBA, the
Nicaraguan Governement handle all requirements.

At Ringside, were 'wealthy' Nicaraguan Officials and the citizens who were 'mandated' to purchase the 'Ringside
and Ringside Perimeter' seats.

When Rigoberto Riasco was escorted to the Ring, there was no big fanfare, as was customary with Panama boxers
carrying their National Flag along with home-country supporters. For this bout, Rigoberto came down the aisle
quiet, with no visiting supporters or National Flag. This was 'not' to be a competitive fight, it was to be a 'massacre'.

The Fight,

There was none, as it was 'an assault'. Alexis came out like a 'Ferocious Tiger', while Rigoberto with 'RIGI' on his
boxing trunks, did his best to scamper and box in Round 1. The Panamanian was able to hold Alexis off for the
first '2-Minutes', but then the vicious left hooks drove 'RIGI' back in the ropes. There, Alexis unloaded as 'RIGI'
had no guns to force Alexis back. Somehow, Rigoberto was able to make it out of the 1st-Round alive, as Alexis'
crushing left hooks nearly folded the 22 year-old Panamanian in half.

Manager - Luis Spada tried to give his fighter encouragement between Rounds, but 'RIGI' looked like he wanted
to be back home in Panama.

In Round 2, Alexis came right back out like a 'Rapid-Fire Machine', and tore into the 'defense-minded' Challenger.
'RIGI' realizing he had no power to hold off Alexis, moved and back-pedalled for dear life. But, midway through the Round
Alexis landed a wicked double left hook and straight right that buckled Rigoberto's legs, but he would not fall as he
reeled into the ropes.

Alexis moved in, and launched one of his most vicious assaults leaving 'RIGI' dangling along the ropes, when
Referee - Ferny Carpentier 'mercilessly' halted the massacre at 2:00 of Round 2, saving Rigoberto's life.

Though there was no announcement of 'Live Gate Receipts', there was a guess that the Nicaraguan Government
took in approximately $120,000 (U.S. Dollars), by charging the regular Nicaraguan citizens $25, $10 or $5. The
Ringside and Perimeter seats cost $200 or $50.

How much the Champion received, it was never reported. Luis Spada was able to get his fighter somewhere in
the neighborhhood of $7500 - but again no exact figures were ever released.

Link Below,

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... vWSufhzkxw

That stoppage sounds merciful, not merciless.
:)

[Rover]

November 15, 1975

Gimnasio Nueva Panama - Panama

WBA Featherweight Elimination Bout

#8 WBA - Rigoberto Riasco ~ 20-5-4 (10 KO's)
vs.
#6 WBA - Santos Luis Rivera ~ 25-4-2 (19 KO's)

Rigoberto Riasco takes on Puerto Rico's 'hard-punching Featherweight' - Santos Luis Rivera. 'RIGI' knows
Santos very well, as back in August 1973 at Roberto Clemente Stadium in Puerto Rico, Santos scored a
'major upset' when he floored 'RIGI' 3-times in the 1st-Round enroute to a (KO 1) win.

The 5' 6" - 24 year-old Santos, after struggling early in his career, emerged as Ring Magazine's '1973'
"Progress Fighter of the Year", after scoring several upsets, including '5-Straight' wins all by knockout
to reach Ring Magazine's #9 Featherweight.

The Fight,

In what could be described as one of the 'Wildest 1st-Rounds in Latin Boxing'. During the pre-fight instructions
at center-ring both boxers start fighting, swinging crazily at each other as they fall to canvas in a tangled
brawl. Both camps break it up and have to stand between the two to hold them off.

Round 1,

Picking up where they left off, both Featherweights go at each other in a 'blaze' as the bell rings. 'RIGI' gets off
first and starts rocking Santos with big straight right hands. After landing a good combination, 'RIGI' drops
Santos at the (1:14 Mark) with a hard right to the chin.

Santos is up at the '3-Count' a little dazed. 'RIGI' moves back in after the 'Mandatory-Count', and starts an all-out
blitz, which drives Santos backwards into his own corner. As 'RIGI' unloads a fast-flurry, Santos counters with a
short powerful hard left-hook to Riasco's chin, which drops him like a rock at the (1:45 Mark).

'RIGI' struggles to get up at the '7-Count', and looks out of it. Santos moves back in, and starts a cushing body
attack on the lean Panamanian. Santos lands a hard left-hook to the body, and 'RIGI' falls again at the (2:11 Mark).

Rigoberto hurt, just barely beats the 'Count', as Referee - Servio Tulio Lay waves the action to continue. Santos
moves swiftly across the ring, as 'RIGI' is with his back on the ropes. Santos opens up with another hard flurry, and
'RIGI" sags into the ropes where the Referee is almost ready to stop it. Suddenly, Rigoberto throws a desperation
right-hand that catches Santos on the left side of his head at the (2:43 Mark) and the punch has him out on his feet.

Santos wobbles to the ropes, and 'RIGI' chases and flails away for the last '15-Seconds' until the bell saves Santos
from a stoppage.

Things settled down after that, as Santos was able to recover some between Rounds, and 'RIGI' went back to his normal
'boxing-style' of jabbing, and shooting right-hands. By Round 5, Santos was no longer aggressive, and was getting
tagged by long right hands from the Panamanian.

In Round 7, 'RIGI' was hitting Santos at will without a return, and Referee - Servio Tulio Lay called a stoppage
awarding 'Rigoberto Riasco a (TKO 7) victory.

Rigoberto improved to 21-5-4 (11 KO's).

[Rover]

Saturday Night - April 3, 1976

Gimnasio Nuevo - Panama City, Panama

Attendance; 8000

'Vacant' WBC Super Bantamweight Championship

#1 Rigoberto Riasco - 21-5-4 (11 KO"s)
vs.
#3 Philip 'Wariunge' Nakayama - 11-4-1 (5 KO's)

The Fight,

Visiting - Philip Wariunge gets off first, by using his superior boxing skills over Rigoberto. In Rounds 1 and 2,
the Japan-based Kenyan, repeatedly scores with quick left jabs to the Panamanian's face.

Rigoberto tries to press in Round 3, but walks into a right hand from Wariunge that opens a cut over his left eye.
Wariunge tries to target the cut, and goes a little right hand crazy throughout the latter part of the Round.

In Round 4, Rigoberto changes from boxing to stalking, as he cannot match Wariunge in hand-speed. The
tactic works, and Rigoberto catches Wariunge with a hard counter right-hand mid-way through the round that buckles
his legs. Rigoberto moves in and whips several right hand bombs, and at the (2:25 Mark) drops Wariunge
for a '3-Count'.

In Rounds 5 and 6, Rigoberto takes total command, and drives hard left-hands into a fleeing Wariunge. The
Kenyan is on the defensive, and his quick hands cannot keep Rigoberto off him. The only effective thing Wariunge does,
is open up the cut a bit over Rigoberto's left eye with a fast right hand. The repeated left hands, start Wariunge's
right eye to close.

In Round 7, Rigoberto opens up with hard right-hands, and batters Wariunge while he's doing his best to stay on his feet.
At the (1:32 Mark), Rigoberto drops Wariunge with another hard straight right-hand. Wariunge is up at the '6-Count', and
rises with a partially closed left eye. Rigoberto moves in, and whacks away with left-hooks and right upper-cuts. As the
Round ends, Wariunge returns to his corner with a closing left eye, and nearly closed right eye.

In Round 8, it's a one-sided battering, as Rigoberto lands punches at will. Wariunge has no answer, as he gets battered
around the ring with both eye's closing.

In-between Rounds, Wariunge's corner stops the bout, and their fighter cannot answer the bell for Round 9.

Fight Purses;
* Rigoberto Riasco ~ $26,000 (U.S. Dollars)
* Philip 'Wariunge' Nakayama ~ $21,000 (U.S. Dollars)

[Rover]

Saturday Night - June 12, 1976

Gimansio Nuevo - Panama City, Panama

Attendance; 9200

WBC Super Bantamweight Championship

** Rigoberto Riasco (Panama) ~ 22-5-4 (12 KO's)
vs.
#7 Livio Nolasco (Dominican Republic) ~ 17-7-0 (7 KO's)

'El Pequeno Veneno' will be making the '1st-Defense' of his Championship. The 23 year-old Riasco is now
regarded as one of Panama's finest 'pure boxers'. The 5' 8" sleek-boxer is a heavy 4-1 Betting-Favorite over
the tough Dominican.

Livio Nolasco, a 24 year-old boxer-puncher from the Domincan Republic, is a durable 5' 6" fighter who is a
very good technician. Livio excels at inside fighting, where he likes to use a quick-fisted body attack. The
Dominican has scored several good wins over the likes of ~ Leonardo 'Leo' Cruz ~ Dominick Monaco ~
Nelson Cruz Tamariz ~ Eduardo Santiago ~ Adrianno 'Nani' Marrero. In his most recent bout here on
April 3, 1976 ~ Livio was impressive in stopping (KO 6) one-time World-rated Panamanian - Marcos Britton.

Despite his 17-7-0 record, Livio is a good professional and regarded as a 'capable opponent', who will force
the Champion to work.

The Fight,

'Little Livio' surprises the Champion by taking the fight to him. The Challenger is well-schooled, and 'cuts-off-the-ring'
time and again in the early rounds, and prevents Rigoberto from utilizing his long-range boxing skills.

The Panamanian 'pro-Riasco' fans get a little nervous, as the underdog Challenger scores with good body punches,
while staying close to the fleet-footed Champion. In Rounds 4, 5 and 6 - Livio out-punches Riasco, and forces the
Champion to back away, and move far outside where he cannot do any damage.

The tide turns in Round 7, as Livio starts to slow down, which allows the Champion to utilize his longer reach
from outside without any worry. In Round 8, Rigoberto starts to open up with harder uppercuts, as Livio is too slow
to back up or does not react fast enough to counter the taller Champion.

In Round 9, Rigoberto starts to hammer Livio, as he now is in a defensive-mode. Rigoberto lands several slashing
punches that open a small cut over Livio's left eye, and by Rounds end Livio is a bit weary.

In Round 10, the Champion wastes little time in opening up, and starts landing crisp left-right combinations from the outside.
At the (1:07 Mark), Rigoberto lands a good left-right, and follows that with hard left hook that drops Livio. The punch opens a
bad gash over Livio's right eye.

The gutsy Challenger gets up at the '5-Count' and wants to continue. Rigoberto goes for the finisher, and follows with a
good attack of lefts and rights. After stunning Livio with a hard right-hand at the (1:40 Mark), Rigoberto batters
him into the ropes where Referee - Isaac Herrera stops the bout at 1:44 of Round 10.

Fight Purses,
* Rigoberto Riasco......$30,000 (U.S. Dollars)
* Livio Nolasco...........$7500 (U.S. Dollars)

[Rover]

The WBC title was getting passed around like candy until Gomez came along. Ah, stability.

[Rover]

The Top WBC Super Bantamweights in mid-1976

*** Rigoberto Riasco
#1.. Dong-Kyun Yum
#2.. Royal Kobayashi
#3.. Wilfredo Gomez

Rigoberto Riasco was getting proclaimed as a 'great skillful boxer', who would dominate this division as
long as he didn't have problems with the scale. All-ready talk of a future bout with Wilfredo Gomez by
the end of 1976 or early 1977, once Rigoberto disposed of Dong-Kun Kim and Royal Kobayashi.

What happened to Salcedo, who won the eliminator?

[Rover]

Rover,

Emilio Salcedo, won his next bout on March 20, 1976 at Feria de David, Panama.

It was during the Feria Internacional (International Fair Week at David).

Elmer defeated {TKO 8} Plutacro Calles, but suffered a detached retina in his right eye.

Emilio was the #1 WBC Challenger at the time, but retired with a record of 16-2 1 (12 KO's).

Almost the same thing that got Chandler (cataracts in Jeff's case).

[Rover]

Sunday - August 1, 1976

Goodeok Baseball Stadium - Busan, South Korea

WBC Super Bantamweight Championship

Attendance; 27,000 (Sell-Out)

** Rigoberto Riasco ~ 23-5-4 (13 KO's)
vs.
#1 WBC ~ Dong-Kyun Yum ~ 46-1-6 (20 KO's)

23 1/2 year-old WBC Champion (Panama's) Rigoberto Riasco will make the '2nd-Defense' of his Championship.
The 5' 8" Champion will have his hands full, with the physically strong South Korean Challenger.

Dong-Kyun Yum, is a 5' 4 1/2" - 'power-pak', who has a hard left jab. The 26 1/2 year-old is experienced with
'53-Bouts', and includes the South Korean and OPBF Super Bantamweight Championships.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fight,

At the opening bell, there was light drizzle over the 'open stadium'. The powerully built Challenger wasted no time
in going after the taller Champion, and snapped his 'stinging' left jab through Rigoberto's guard in the '1st-Round'.

With the 27,000 South Korean fans cheering him on, Dong-Kyun continued with his 'rapid attack', with double
and triple left jabs in Rounds 2 and 3. Rigoberto was content to lay back and defend, while looking to
counter with his long-range straight right-hand.

The Champion started to make his move in Rounds 4 and 5, and opened up with left jabs, and straight right-hands
on the shorter (3 1/2") Challenger. Rigoberto finished each Round strong, by rallying over the last 20-Seconds.

The Challenger held his own in Rounds 6 and 7, as he was able to get inside with a few crisp punches, keeping
Rigoberto from making his typical mid-fight charge. Both Rounds were fought extremely close, and it was very
difficult to pick a winner.

At this point on the fight, the little drizzle had become a steady rain, making for a slick surface.

Rigoberto was able to regain his rhythm in Round 8, and swept the next '3-Rounds', by landing sharp left
jabs and several hard right hands to the head. Dong-Kyun continued to move forward, but was getting out-punched
3-to-1.

The Challenger made a good charge in Round 11, as Rigoberto took the round off to save energy. Dong-Kyun pressed
with several good left jabs and short right-hands to the body, while Rigoberto stayed on the ropes and looked to
counter with single shots.

In Round 12, Rigoberto regained control, and took command by scoring with several good left-right combinations
early in the round which slowed the South Korean. Rigoberto had a strong rally late in the round, as he shook
Dong-Kyun with a good right-hand, and then opened up with a 20-Second flurry until the bell ended the round.

The fast-attack at the end of Round 12 appreared to drain the Champion some, and he looked arm-weary as he
walked back to his corner.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 18Sz94zBPQ

[Rover]

The Last 3-Rounds,

The fight was pretty much 'Even Steven' after 12-Rounds.

The Champion not wanting to Dong-Kyun to recover from the late 12th Round attack, opened up in Round 13
with a fast-flurry. But after 30-Seconds he looked spent, and the Challenger slowly made progress during
the Round, and finally worked his way inside by the (2:00 Mark).

Both fighters went at it over the last 25-Seconds as they fired punches in an 'all-out blaze' until the bell ended Round 13.

Rounds 14 and 15, were fought at the same pace, both tired fighters giving their all, by swinging with everything
they had. Neither seemed to have an edge, as again they were 'two' evenly matched fighters battling on 'Even Ground'.

These days your last post wouldn't have existed.

[Rover]

Controversy in Pusan, South Korea.

The Scorecards Please,

The first announced scorecard came from South Korean Judge - Kwang-Soo Kim who voted
for his countryman........150-144 (6-0-9 in Rounds) for Dong-Kyun Yum.

The second announced scorecard came from Panamanian Judge - Humberto Fiqueroa Sr. who voted
for his countryman.............147-142 (10-3-2 in Rounds) for Rigoberto Riasco.

The final announcement never came, as Referee - Larry Rozadilla (who had scored the bout on
his Scorecard Tally in favor of the Champion) just walked over to Rigoberto Riasco and raised
his hand to the 'stunned disbelief' of the 27,000 South Korean fans in the Baseball Stadium.

10-3-2=147-140.

[Rover]

My error,

147-142 = 8-3-4 in Rounds.

Was Rozadilla's card ever published?

[Rover]

Here's what happened.

Larry's score was never read over the Ring Announcer's Microphone, so the fans never heard the read score,
and only saw Larry raise Rigoberto Riasco's hand.

Mostly everyone was in either a state of stunned disbelief, or unaware of what had happened.

As the information trickled out, it was announced that Larry Rozadilla had carded a score of
145-143 (7-5-3 in Rounds) for the Champion.

About 30-minutes later, enraged fans (gangster type's) broke down the door of Larry Rozadilla's dressing room
and physically attacked him (beat him up), and threatened to kill him if he didn't change his scorecard.
Larry was then dragged out of the dressing room with his hands held up in the air, and was brought back to
the ring (center-ring), where he made an announcement that he had mistakenly filled out his scorecard, and
that the index-cards had gotten wet in the rain, and he did read them backwards.

Larry then announced that it was Dong-Kyun Yum who was the 145-143 points winner.

Dong-Kyun Yum was then paraded around the ring by his supporters, with banners and the South Korean Flag.

Rigoberto Riasco, his Manager - Luis Spada and supporters just sat in stunned silence in their dressing room, in
fear that if they protested they would have been beaten up or killed.

Luis Spada had smartly demanded Rigoberto Riasco's fight purse of $75,000 to be deposited in advance in an
International Bank, where it was secure.

That's one thing that fortunately wouldn't likely happen today.
Glad the result officially wasn't changed (that the threats weren't rewarded). Rozadilla did the smart thing.
South Korea didn't seem too palatable at that time.
There was also the Zamora/Hong riot, and before Cervantes/Kim there was a bribe attempt of referee Stanley Kristodoulou, who rejected it and scored the fight for Cervantes.

[Rover]

More,

The next day when Larry Rozadilla attempted to leave his hotel, he was met by the South Korean Boxing Officials,
who made Larry sign a document that stated he had made an error during his original call of Rigoberto Riasco
the winner, and the new score of 145-143 for Dong-Kyun Yum was the correct one.

Once Larry got back home to Los Angeles, California - he made an announcement of what happened, and said
he was put under duress and forced coercion to sign a document stating that he had a made a mistake.

He acknowlegded that he had scored the bout in favor of Rigoberto Riasco. But to save his life, he had to
change his scorecard, in fear that he would never again see his wife or two children.

Lost in the turmoil, was that it did appear that the Challenger - Dong-Kyun Yum had done enough to earn
a close 15-Round Decision.

WBC President 'newly elected' Jose Sulaiman, made a statement that 'This is exactly what we are trying to
prevent, and this cannot be tolerated. We will investigate this situation, and all those involved will be
suspended forever by the World Boxing Council. No Referee or Judge should have his life threatended.'

Several days later, the WBC reinstated Rigoberto Riasco as the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion.

How did the Koreans react? Were there neutral/Korean witnesses who verified Rozadilla's claims?

[Rover]

The WBC (Jose Sulaiman) had the KBC (Korean Boxing Commission) investigate the matter, and it was
confired that 'foul play' was involved.

What happened next, was that Rigoberto Riasco had a 'signed contract' to face Japan's Royal Kobayashi next,
had he successfully defended his WBC Championship over Dong-Kyun Yum.

Luis Spada had signed for a lucrative fight purse for his fighter, to go to Japan in October 1976.

Jose Sulaiman permitted the Rigoberto Riasco vs.Royal Kobayshi fight to go on as schedeuled, but
with a 'stipulation' that the winner must face Dong-Kyun Yum within 45-days, and the bout to be
held in Mexico City, under the 'full supervision' of the WBC.

Surprised the KBC confirmed Rozadilla's claims; shows integrity. Poor Kobayashi had a very short reign.

[Rover]

The Japanese Promoters wanted Royal Kobayashi to win a Championship in the worst way.

They even paid Alexis Arguello $125,000 to come to Japan to defend his WBA Featherweight Championship
versus Royal Kobayashi in late-1975.

I belive they signed a contract to give Rigoberto Riasco a fight purse of $100,000 for the October 9, 1976
WBC Super Bantamweight Championship bout.

The short reign for Royal Kobayashi, was because he had to defend versus Dong-Kyun Yum within 45-days,
or be stripped of his Championship.

Kobayashi's promoters should've stayed away from Arguello. As for his (Kobayashi's reign), I know why it was short; now the deadline is usually 90 or 120 days.

[Rover]

Remember in 1975 there was 'no' Super Bantamweight Divsion.

Kazou 'Royal' Kobayashi had no other choice. By the way, he cracked Alexis pretty good in Rounds 3 and 4.

There was the WBC feather title.:)

[Rover]

Remember in 1975 there was 'no' Super Bantamweight Divsion.

Kazou 'Royal' Kobayashi had no other choice. By the way, he cracked Alexis pretty good in Rounds 3 and 4.

There was the WBC feather title.:)

NO, NO, NO,,,,,,,,

David Kotey and the Ghana Contingent were not going to Japan to fight Royal Kobayashi,

1) Flipper Uehara (March 1976 in Ghana)

2) Shigefumi 'Shig' Fukuyama (July 1976 in Japan, as Shig was a much safer opponent)

Danny Lopez in the waiting, where the 'money' was.

Was he offered $125,000?

[Rover]

More,

The next day when Larry Rozadilla attempted to leave his hotel, he was met by the South Korean Boxing Officials,
who made Larry sign a document that stated he had made an error during his original call of Rigoberto Riasco
the winner, and the new score of 145-143 for Dong-Kyun Yum was the correct one.

Once Larry got back home to Los Angeles, California - he made an announcement of what happened, and said
he was put under duress and forced coercion to sign a document stating that he had a made a mistake.

He acknowlegded that he had scored the bout in favor of Rigoberto Riasco. But to save his life, he had to
change his scorecard, in fear that he would never again see his wife or two children.

Lost in the turmoil, was that it did appear that the Challenger - Dong-Kyun Yum had done enough to earn
a close 15-Round Decision.

WBC President 'newly elected' Jose Sulaiman, made a statement that 'This is exactly what we are trying to
prevent, and this cannot be tolerated. We will investigate this situation, and all those involved will be
suspended forever by the World Boxing Council. No Referee or Judge should have his life threatended.'

Several days later, the WBC reinstated Rigoberto Riasco as the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion.

Just realized: this was actually a good thing a sanctioning org did. A stopped clock is right twice a day.

[Rover]

saturday Night - October 9, 1976

Kokugikan Arena - Tokyo, Japan

Attendance; 13,000

WBC Super Bantamweight Championship

** Rigoberto 'El Pequeno Veneno' Riasco ~ 24-5-4 (13 KO's)
vs
#2 Kazou 'Royal' Kobayashi ~ 20-2-0 (16 KO's)

Rigoberto Riasco is making the '3rd-Defense' of his WBC Championship, since winning the new Division '6-Months'
earlier in April 1976. The 5' 8" Champion is 23 years, 11 months old (one month shy of 24), and is now making his second
straight defense on foreign soil in Asia. Many consider Rigoberto the most skilled boxer in the Division.

This will be no easy mark, as Royal Kobayashi is a hard-hitting offensive machine. The 27 year-old Kobayashi
is a compact 5' 5 1/2" bomber, who carries heavy-fists. Despite getting blasted out by the 'Explosive Thin Man'
Alexis Arguello in 1975 and losing a 10-Round Decision to 'slick' boxer-puncher Panamanian - Emilio Salcedo in
February 1976, Kobayashi is still one dangerous fighter.

The 'Controversy' here, stems from Rigoberto's previous defense in South Korea on August 1, 1976 (only 10-Weeks earlier).
Under the WBC guidelines, the winner of this Championship bout must defend the title against #1 WBC Dong-Kyun Yum
within 45-Days and in Mexico City.

Rigoberto Riasco is to receive a fight purse of $100,000. The 'controversy' with this, is that he signed a pre-fight
contract on July 10, 1976 to defend his Championship against WBC #2 Royal Kobayashi for a set date of October 9, 1976 -
and accepted a $25,000 'non-refundable' deposit. Rigoberto and Manager - Luis Spada were in Japan on July 10, 1976
to watch Royal Kobayashi fight Jaguar Sekino. After the bout, in which Royal Kobayashi won, the fight promoters
drew up a contract with Luis Spada, and paid him a $25,000 deposit for an October 9, 1976 date. After contract
signings, Rigoberto Riasco and his team headed to Busan, South Korea.

The 'catch' Rigoberto signed this contract, before he defended his Championship against #1 WBC - Dong-Kyun Yum on
August 1, 1976 - where Rigoberto received a fight purse of $75,000.

Shouldn't have looked past Yum.
Kobayashi/Yum didn't end up in Mexico City, either.

[Rover]

At least Kobayashi/Riasco didn't end in controversy.
Riasco should've just called himself "Poison," leaving the "Little" out of it.

[Rover]

The Fight,

The hard-hitting Japanese bomber stayed on top of Rigoberto Riasco from the opening bell, and would
or allow the Champion to move or get any distance.

Kobayashi scored with hard punches in Rounds 1 and 2, hurting the 'sleek' Panamanian. Rigoberto knew
this was going to a long night, so he stayed on his bicyle in Rounds 3 and 4, and threw a punches from
long range while looking to stay as far away as possible from this hard-hooking machine.

Royal slowed the pace in Rounds 5 and 6, but continued with a steady-attack. Rigoberto was at least
able to mount a minor offense, and was somehwat effective by landing a few good left jabs and counter
right-hands, but his attack was not overly strong.

Thru 6-Rounds, the Scorecards;
* Referee - Jay Edson................60-57 (3-0-3 in Rounds) ~ Royal Kobayashi
* Judge - Hermedio Cedeno........58-57 (3-2-1 in Rounds) ~ Rigoberto Riasco
* Judge - Yusaku Yoshida...........60-56 (4-0-2 in Rounds) ~ Royal Kobayashi

In Round 7, Rigoberto tries to mount his typical mid-fight rally with a fast attack early in the Round. The
Champion scores with several good left-right combinations, and has the Challenger on the defensive momentarily.
But late in the Round, the 'Japanese Bomber' starts his counter-attack, and rips in several head shots that shakes
the Champion, and at the (2:44 Mark) floors the Champion with a crsip left hook. Rigoberto rises at the '5-Count',
badly hurt, and manages to hold on over the last '6-Seconds' to survive.

Round 8, Royal knowing he has the Champion in trouble, presses hard at the Opening Bell, and pins Rigoberto on the
ropes, where he pounds away with hard left-and-rights, driving Rigoberto to the canvas at the (0:27 Mark). The Champion
gets up at the '8-Count' in bad shape. Royal moves back in as Rigoberto falls back into the ropes, and the Challenger
pounds away while driving a 'defenseless' Rigoberto through the ropes at the (0:48 Mark) where Referee -Jay Edson calls a halt
to the matters immediately.

Rigoberto loses his Championship, and falls to 24-6-4.

Fight Purses;
* Rigoberto Riasco.....$100,000
* Royal Kobayashi.......$50,000

* Now according to the WBC, the Champion - Royal Kobayashi had to defend his Championship within 45-days, against
#1 Challenger - Dong-Kyun Yum. The bout was supposed to be held in Mexico City. But, that agreement was
drawn up if Rigoberto Riasco still held the Championship. Instead, a change in venue was applied.

October 12, 1976 (WBC Super-Bantamweight Rankings)

*** Kazou 'Royal' Kobayashi
#1...Dong-Kyun Yum
#2...Wilfedo Gomez
#3...Ruben Olivares
#4...Jose Cervantes
#5...Rigoberto Riasco
#6...Juan Antonio Lopez
#7...Philip 'Wariunge' Nakayama
#8...Futaro Tanaka
#9...Fernando Cabanela
#10.Deuk-Hoon 'Panther' Koh

Rigoberto Riasco ended up retiring one-month later (November 1976).

Short, interesting career he had.

[Rover]

By January 1977 -

Rigoberto Riasco then decided to move back up to 126 lbs., and was ranked as the #7 WBC Featherweight,
but he did not campaign, and retired 'again' shortly thereafter.

For Your Information

WBC Super Bantamweight Rankings for (January 1977)

**** Dong-Kyun Yum
#1... Jose Cervantes
#2... Wilfredo Gomez
#3... Royal Kobayashi
#4... Art Hafey
#5... Rafael Herrera
#6... Juan Antonio Lopez
#7... Raul Tirado
#8... Ruben Valdez
#9... Jorge Lujan
#10.. Jesus Esparragoza

Gomez KO'd 5 of the other 9 top-10 WBC fighters.

Why was Lujan ranked at super bantam?

[Rover]

Jorge Lujan,,,,,,???

I know, because in 1976 he was competing at Flyweight, before moving up to an 'over-the-weight'
Flyweight at 115 lbs. in 1977.

Maybe the WBC needed to a fill a spot with a Panamanian...?

Yeah, makes no sense. I'd get bantam maybe, as super fly hadn't been formed yet.

[Rover]

Original Ratings for the 'newly' created WBC Super Bantamweight Division.

February 1976

*Rigoberto Riasco {Panama} and *Philip Waruinge Nakayama {Japan} were slated to meet for
the 'vacant' WBC Super-Bantamweight Championship.

These two fighters were listed as 'Mandatory Challengers'.

The rest of the division was filled out as such;

#1.. Rafael Herrera {Mexico}
#2.. Dong-Kyun Kim {South Korea}
#3.. Nelson Cruz Tamariz {Dominican Republic}
#4.. Ric Quijano {Philippines}
#5.. Jose ------- {Brazil}
#6.. Jose Cervantes {Colombia}
#7.. Romeo Anaya {Mexico}
#8.. Santos Luis Rivera {Puerto Rico}
#9.. Alberto Davila {USA}
#10 Julio Hernandez {Nicaragua}

I love how #5 doesn't even have a last name.

[Rover]

Mr. Rover,

I had to check,,,,,

It was Brazilian Featherweight Champion - Jose De Paula, with a record 24-1-1 {5 KO's}.

Ah, he was a good fighter. Gave Little Red a good fight.