Ben Villaflor

[Rover]

Rocky Lockridge (Born; November 10, 1959)

* From Tacoma, Washington - but based out of New Jersey
* Turned Professional; August 6, 1978 (Age; 19 years, 7 months)
* 5' 6 1/2" - Muscular-build with Orthodox stance (Reach; 67")
* Won the WBA Super Featherweight Championship on February 26, 1984 (Age; 25 years, 1 month)
* Made '2' Title Defenses, then lost the Title (May 1985)
* Won the IBF Super Featherweight Championship on August 9, 1987 (Age; 28 years, 7 months)
* Made '2' Title Defenses, then lost the Title (July 1988)
* A 'Steady-Eddie' who used both fists with a high-punch rate to wear down his opponents
* Could occasionally deliver a crushing overhand right with surprising power
* Good cornermen, and smartly managed
* Tough compact fighter who was always prepared, and determined
* Retired in 1992 at Age 33 1/2
* Overall Record = 44-9-1 (36 KO's)
* Record in Title Bouts = 6-6-0 (5 KO's)
* In '54' bouts was 'stopped' only once, and was floored only '4' times
* Had 'two' controversial bouts with WBA Featherweight Champion - Eusebio Pedroza, losing both (10/80 and 4/83)
* Was 'cold-cocked' (L KO 2) by Juan LaPorte (8/81) which knocked Rocky out of a 1981 rematch with Pedroza.
* Lost another 'controversial bout', this time to Wilfredo Gomez (5/85) costing him his WBA Super Featherweight Championship
* Did not face WBC Featherweight Champion - Salvador Sanchez (1980 thru 1982)
* Did not face WBC Featherweight Champion - Juan Laporte (1982 thru 1984) for a 'rematch'
* Did not WBC Featherweight Champion - Azumah Nelson (1984 thru 1987)
* Involved in the 'Fight of the Year' with Tony Lopez for the IBF Super Featherweight Championship (7/87) which he 'lost'
* Retired in 1989, but came back in 1992 (Age; 33+) as a Lightweight and lost both bouts by Decision.

Similarites;
Rocky patterned his style after Henry Armstrong, that of non-stop punching with both hands. Though Rocky
was not a one-punch type of fighter, his rapid-fire left-rights usually over-whelmed the lesser opponents into
a TKO stoppage. The better-level opponents were not allowed to get off, leaving Rocky to continue to hammer away
with 'good old-fashioned' one-two's.

Hand-speed was very good, and Rocky attacked both the body and head. His best power punch was an overhand
right, and he would deliver it when he was within range, but he did not overuse it. Rocky liked to work his way inside
as opposed to jabbing his way. And his favorite tactic was to crowd his opponent and smother him, where he could use
both hands banging away.

Defensively, he was rated as very good, and besides his 'lucky-punch loss' to Juan Laporte, he knew how to defend
properly. He had a very good 'A-Rated Chin'. His side-to-side movement made him a difficult target to hit with repeated
punches, and he usually neautralized his opponents offensive assaults with difficult angles.

Endurance and stamina were issue's. The problem, was that Rocky would employ such a high-punch rate in the
early-and-middle rounds, which sometimes left him somewhat arm-weary in the later rounds, which efffected his
two-punch attack.

Rocky was already the super feather champ by the time Nelson won his feather title.
I think Rocky was down more than four times:
Twice against Lopez in the rematch.
Once against Zeena.
Delarosa.
Knight.
Laporte.

[Rover]

Mr. Rover,

I know that Rocky was competing at 130 lbs., but there was an opportunity to fight Azumah Nelson
earlier.

Knockdowns,
* Juan Laporte
* Tony Lopez (2x)
* Harold Knight

I wasn't sure with Johnny De La Rosa. Forgot about Mike Zena.

I believe Rocky was also dropped in one his very early bouts. A 'flash-knockdown', which was described
as an 'off-balance tumble' by the 'Always Refreshing' Lou Duva.

That could be 'Lucky 7'.

Did Sharmba Mitchell drop him ???

Don't think Sharmba did, but can't say for sure.
With respect to Nelson, I referred to the time frame in which he was WBC feather champ because of your having described him that way. He wasn't in 83. (I assume you're referring to a period after Lockridge/Pedroza II.)

[Rover]

Rocky Lockridge

Summer of 1983 against Juan LaPorte II (Would Fit)

1985 against Azumah Nelson is a possibility. Rocky was still capable of getting
down to 126 lbs. following the 'loss' to Wilfredo Gomez. In 1986 don't think
he could have done it.

Why do you think he could've for a bout in the fall of 1985?

[Rover]

Following the 'loss' to Wilfredo Gomez (May 1985)

Rocky went into 'hibernation' for 7-Months unitil December 1985.

Azumah Nelson after defeating Wilfredo Gomez (December 1984)
didn't defend his Featherweight Championship for 10-Months (September 1985).

Azumah Defenses
* September 1985 ........ Juvenal Ordones
* October 1985.............. Pat Cowdell
* February 1986............ Marco Villasana
* June 1986.................. Danilo Cabrera

Rocky didn't challenge Julio Cesar Chavez until August 1986, so 'The Theory' is,
a bout between say August 1985 and June 1986 could have been scheduled.

Rocky did turn (Age 27) in January 1986...........It could have been possible :??

I don't get the connection. He was in a higher class and never returned to feather after he left it, right?

[Rover]

Yes,

He went up to Super Featherweight after losing to Eusebio Pedroza a 'second time', winning
the Title over Roger Mayweather in February 1984, as really a 'blown-up' Featherweight.

After losing the WBA Super Featherweight Title to Wilfredo Gomez (May 1985), the big money
fight would have been against Azumah Nelson in the Fall of 1985 (the best time frame)
for Nelson's WBC Featherweight Crown.

Rocky could have made 126 lbs. for the money that would have been offered.

Azumah Nelson vs. Rocky Lockridge,,,,,,,,,,,,now that's a fight.

But why not the summer of 86?
I think that Lockridge had just moved to another division by the time Nelson became champion.

[Rover]

I think he settled in at 130 lbs., and then Challenged Julio Cesar Chavez
for the WBC Super Featherweight Title in August 1986.

He was 27 1/2, so the growing-with-age thing must have kicked in.......

That happens you know........

Though he never won a Title at Featherweight (126 lbs.), I always thought that
it was Rocky's best 'zone'.

That could've kicked in when he decided to leave feather, though.

[Rover]

Having thought about this match-up, I'd take Villaflor by close decision due to a late charge. Better stamina would win it for him IMHO.

[Rover]

Ben Villaflor (Best Performances)

March 7, 1972
KO 2................Jose Luis 'Maestrito' Lopez - 43-3-0 (25 KO's)

Ben Villaflor (Age; 19 years, 4 months) with a record of 42-4-2 (22 KO's) takes on 'dangerous and
hard-punching' 23 year-old Mexican - Jose Luis Lopez. Ben Villaflor is now the Top-Ranked #1 WBA
Super Featherweight.

Jose Luis 'Maestrito' is a 5' 7" 130 lb. bomber, and is ranked #3 Ring Magazine and as the #2 WBA
Super Featherweight. This bout is scheduled for 12-Rounds, and is a WBA Elimination bout to see
who will challenge WBA Champion Alfredo Marcano.

Lopez is coming off of a 'tremendous upset' when he stopped (TKO 6) the NABF Super Featherweight
Champion - Sammy Goss (25-2-0), who was also the #2 WBA and #3 Ring Magazine Super Featherweight.
'Maestrito' did this in Goss' hometown of Philadelphia in October 1971.

Jose Luis has also scored good wins over Cornelio Vega (KO 6 in May 1971), and earlier wins over
Raul Mora (KO 6 in September 1969) and Ricardo Arrendondo (W Dec 10 in September 1968),
{Note; Ricardo Arrendondo is the current WBC Super Featherweight Champion}

This will be a real test for Ben Villaflor, as Jose Luis Lopez can really bang, and his one tough 'Hombre'
who loves to go 'toe-to-toe'.

He was the father of the 90s welterweight, right?

[Rover]

Correct,

'Maestrito' Lopez,,,,,,,,,,,,one tough 'Hombre in the late-late 60's and early 70's.

Had a bunch of wins in Mexico from 1967 thru 1970.

Ruined Sammy Goss' chance for a World Title try at 'The Spectrum' in Philadelphia
to a completely shocked crowd.

Tried for another one in Honolulu, but young Ben Villaflor was a machine back then.

[Rover]

Ben Villaflor (Best Performances)

Tuesday Night - April 25, 1972

Honolulu International Center (Attendancel 11,000)

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

** Alfredo Marcano (Venezuela) ~ 35-8-4 (23 KO's) ~ Age; 25 years, 3 months ~ Height 5' 7 1/2" ~ Weight 128 lbs.
vs.
#1 WBA Ben Villaflor (U.S.A.) ~ 43-4-2 (23 KO's) ~ Age; 19 years, 5 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 128 3/4 lbs.

Alfredo Marcano will be making the '2nd-Defense of his Title that he won in July 1971. Alfredo who is from Venezuela,
has been training in California for the past 2-Months, and is manged by the 'legendary' Willie Ketchum. Alfredo
is a smart and cagey boxer, and has a powerful left-hand. He will usually take his time, and box from the outside
where his long reach can pick apart his opponent. Then like a 'Leopard' waiting to pounce, he will surprise his opponent
with a fast attack of hard punches and try to take him out.

Though both fighters have the same amount of fights under their belt, Alfredo is clearly the more experienced
boxer, and should take control of the bout in the later rounds when the younger Challenger slows down.

Quite a scoring range in that fight.

[Rover]

Scorecards,

* Referee - James Scaramozi (San Antonio, Texas)...... 74-64 (11-1-3 in Rounds)
* Judge - Walter Cho (Hawaii)................................... 74-68 (7-1-7 in Rounds)
* Judge - Harold Hart (California)............................... 69-68 (7-6-2 in Rounds)

* UPI (United Press International)............................... 73-66 (9-2-4 in Rounds)

Willie Ketchum (Alfredo Marcano's Manager) was 'livid' with Referee - James Scaramozi's
scorecard. Mr. Ketchum personally requested the Texas Referee as one of the 'two'
neutral officials to score the bout.

Looks like Willie made a bad pick.

[Rover]

Mr. Rover............ DD

The Villaflor Camp offered Alfredo Marcano (after Ben Villaflor made a defense first) a rematch, but
Willie Ketchum said 'NO' to Hawaii.

Willie Ketchum, 'We will not fight there again. The kid beat us 'fair-and-square', but the scoring
was bit wide, especially with Scaramozi. In California or Venezuela we'll take it, but I don't think
they'll let that kid out of Hawaii.'

Willie did a good job with Alfredo Marcano, and got him a chance for the 'vacant' WBC Featherweight
Championship against Bobby 'Schoolboy' Chacon in Sepetmeber 1974.

Alfredo, another good Venezuelan boxer from the late-late 60's and early-70's.

They let him out.

[Rover]

Pacific Stars and Stripes (April 29, 1972)

Alfredo Marcano vs. Ben Villaflor

Associated Press;
"Ben Must Learn A Lot"
'CHAMP STILL ON WAY UP'

United Press International;
"A GOOD FEELING, SAYS VILLAFLOR

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 8644,d.eWU

Ben Villaflor, only a teenager (19 years, 5 months) became the youngest 'Modern Day' fighter to win a World
Championship. The Hawaiian-based Filipino won a 'lopsided' 15-Round Decision over Champion - Alfredo Marcano
to capture the WBA Super Featherweight Championship at the 'Honolulu International Center' Tuesday Night
(April 25, 1972) in front of a sell-out crowd of 9000 fans.

Ben Villaflor, 'I knew I had him after the 10th Round, as he was hurting bad. So I just boxed him for the rest of the
fight. He couldn't deal with my speed early, and he couldn't handle my power in the middle rounds. I did try for a
Knockout in Rounds 13 and 14, but I got too wild and missed alot of punches that I should have landed.'

[Rover]

A Great Fight That Should Have Been Televised to the States (Mainland)

Tuesday Night - September 5, 1972

Honolulu International Center

** Ben Villaflor - 46-4-2 {24 KO's) ~ Age 19 years, 10 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 129 lbs.
vs.
#1 WBA - Victor Federico Echegaray ~ 24-3-5 {18 KO's} ~ Age 27 years ~ Height 5' 8" ~ Weight 130 lbs.

This was Ben Vlillaflor's '1st' Title Defense for his WBA Super Featherweight Championship.

The bout was originally scheduled for August 1, 1972, but the Argentinian injured his right hand
while training in Argentina. The bout was then re-scheduled to August 22nd, and then again pushed
back to September 5, 1972.

Villaflor was still a 'learning teenager', and the boxing pundits predicted a tough bout for the 'young'
southpaw Champion, and one in which he could easily lose.

Echegaray was the #1 WBA Super Featherweight, and was listed as the 'Mandatory Challenger'
following the Marcano vs. Villaflor Championship bout back in April 1972.

The 27 year-old Argentinian was a 5-year professional with a record of 24-3-5 {18 KO's} and was
the South American Super Featherweight Champion, as well as being ranked #1 Ring Magazine.
At 5' 8", the solidly-built Argentinian was a clever counter-puncher with a stiff left-jab, and
good right-hand power. Most regarded Echegaray as a better overall fighter than the previous
Champion - Alfredo Marcano.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... rk73yrCkNA

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... MERhYi2p8Q

He was rated higher than Escalera?

[Rover]

Ben Villaflor vs. Victor Federico Echegaray

Scorecards
* Referee - Walter Minn (Hawaiii)..........68-66 (Victor Echegaray)
* Judge - Walter Cho (Hawaii)...............69-66 (Ben Villaflor)
* Judge - Louis Race (Hawaii)...............67-67 (Even)

Many of the so-called Boxing Pundits thought that because this bout was called a 'Draw'
and that Challenger - Victor Federico Echegaray only received a 'Draw' from 'three'
Hawaiian Officials that he was not justly rewarded.

Normally that would be the case in bouts, where a hometown fighter gets a 'Draw' -
the theory was that the visiting Challenger really won the bout.


Bit a fine-tooth overview revealed otherwise.

A) Ben Villalflor was the aggressor during the first 3' Rounds, while throwing many glancing blows,
while Echegaray was strictly counter-punching with single-punches.

B) Echegaray had a great Round 4 {10-8}, as he caught the Champion with a 'hard' left-right that
stunned him at the (1:55 Mark). Then with a 'dazed' Champion in front of him, Echegaray opened
up with a series of brutally-hard left-and-rights that had Villaflor out on his feet while he reeled along
the ropes for nearly 'a-minute'. Echegaray was on the verge of stopping Villaflor when the
Bell sounded.

C) Amazingly, Villaflor recovered in-between rounds, and despite being 'groggy and bloody', came out
fast in Round 5 - and scored with quick flurries that kept Echegaray at bay. The punches had little effect
on Echegaray, but they stopped his momentum and prevented him from loading up. Then Villaflor attacked
with a series of low body blows mid-way thru the Round that strayed 'below' the belt, and Referee - Walter Minn
penalized the Champion 'one-point'. The Round was scored {10-8} for Echegaray.

D) In Round 6 Villaflor (5' 6") continued to stay low to get inside the taller {5' 8"} Challenger, and
rallied with solid body punches, while the Challenger scored with several sharp left hands to Villaflor's face.
Though the Champion won the Round, he left the Round with a 'swollen-shut' left eye.

E) Villaflor, with a swollen shut left eye, as a result of getting tattered by Echegaray's pin-point
left hands, rallied in Round 7, by using a swarming-brawling attack.

F) In Rounds 8, 9 and 10 - Villaflor continued to pursue, while Echegaray went to a dance-strategy,
while landing continuous left hands to the Champion's face. Villaflor again, when close would land
glancing-blows to the body of the Challenger.

G) In Rounds 11 and 12, the pro-Villaflor crowd of (9000) were extremely quiet, as the young Champion
tried to chase down the Argentinian, but was ineffective with his punches. Echegaray kept Villaflor at
bay with soft but effective left hands that now started to mark his right eye, while Villaflor's left eye
was swollen shut.

H) It appeared that Echegaray had a '3-Point' lead entering Round 13, and the Argentinian went into
'safety-mode' to protect his lead. This was the opportunity that Villaflor needed, and charged after the
defensive-minded Challenger with a savage assault. Villaflor scored with a series of good left-and-rights,
and then caught Echegaray with a hard left-hand to the chin as Echegaray was pulling away. The
Challenger went down at the (0:59 Mark), and the Honolulu International Center of 9000 erupted in
cheers. The Argentinian was up quickly, and did not appear to be hurt too badly. This did not stop
Villaflor, as he chased Echegaray all over the ring firing away with punches as the crowd went into
a frenzy. As Villaflor trapped Echegaray near the ropes he fred away, and the Challenger went down
again at the (2:32 Mark), but it was a 'slip' and it was 'not' recorded as a knockdown by Referee -
Walter Minn.

[Rover]

Thanks Mr. Rover,

I watched the bout last night.

My scorecard;

Ben Villaflor....................... 5 - 5 - 5 - 3 - 3 ...... 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 4 ..... 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 ==== {68}
Victor Federico Echegaray.... 4 - 4- 4 - 5 - 5 ....... 4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 ..... 5 - 5 - 3 - 4 - 5 ==== {67}

Had to score Rounds 11 and 12 'Even', as the Champion was the aggressor and Echegaray just
danced away while tossing light-to-medium left hands. Villaflor pursued, but didn't land anything
solid or effective but he was making the fight and did land glancing blows.

Round 15, was clearly a 'Round-of-the-Year' type of slug-fest, and both fighters let go with everthing
they had, as they left nothing in the ring when the bout ended.

Who televised the fight?

[Rover]

Immediately after the decision was announced, Ben Viilaflor and his Manager Larry Inchonise
left the ring quickly, and left the Honolulu International Center, and gave no post-fight
interview or responded to any Newpaper request for comments.

Victor Echegaray was rushed by his Argentinian supporters while still in the ring, who
raised an Argentinian Flag and lifted their countryman's hand while there were
scattered cheers from the pro-Villaflor partisan crowd who slowly left the Center.

In the dressing roon, Echegaray was angry, and then a saddness came over him as he
let out his disappointment in the decision.

Victor Echegaray, 'I dont want to fight here again. I prefer Los Angeles. We will see what the
WBA says about a rematch. He's a very strong fighter, and he's a good body puncher. Even
my legs (thigh's) hurt. He hit me with some low-blows in the 15th Round, and I thought that
the Referee would penalize him again. I made a mistake in Round 13, and I got too complacent
because he was missing with alot of punches. He caught me with a good right and left, but I was
not hurt. I'm still as a good as anybody in the Division, and I'm equal to the Champion.'

This bout was broadcast back to Argentina on the Canal Network, I believe 'Canal 7', but in 'black-and-white'.

Since it was a 'sell-out' in Hawaii, it was broadcast on KHVA (latter KITV), which I think is the ABC-TV
affiliate.

Victor Federico Echegaray, as solid a 5' 8" Super Featherweight as you could find.
Very strong, and kind of looked like Carlos Monzon, and with a similar Argentinian-style.

Never a rematch, though I'm glad he got another shot.

[Rover]

I checked up on a posibility of a Villaflor vs. Echegaray II 'rematch'

A) Larry Inchonise would not allow his teenager fighter to leave Hawaii.
B) Victor Echegaray would not fight in Hawaii again.
C) A rematch was offered to the Argentinian for January 1973, but he opted out, saying no to Hawaii.

Wasn't he a mandatory? What about a purse bid?

[Rover]

Yes,

Victor Echegaray was positioned as the #1 WBA Challenger during the Alfredo Marcano vs. Ben Villaflor bout
on April 29, 1972.

But, according to the WBA - Villaflor had 6-Months before facing the next available 'Mandatory Challenger'
(March 5, 1973).

The 'Draw' did not give Victory Echegaray an 'automatic' immediate rematch, he had to wait for the
Champion's '6-Month Optional Defense' period to run out.

Ah, and Shibata came along. Got it.

[Rover]

Kuniaki Shibata,,,,,,,

An exciting 5' 4" 'Firecracker' who usually exploded with power.

I believe he was only ranked as the #8 WBA Challenger when he 'upset'
Ben Villaflor.

Gets 'bad rap' for some of his shocking knockout losses, but what a fighter.

No shame in losses to Villaflor or Escalera, though Clemente Sanchez was a huge upset.

[Rover]

Tuesday Night - November 14, 1972

Blaisell Center- Honolulu, Hawaii

'Non-Title' Bout at Lightweight

* WBA Super Featherweight Champion
* Ben Villaflor (Hawaii) ~ 46-4-3 (24 KO's) ~ Age; 19 years, 11 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 131 1/2 lbs.
vs.
* #7 WBA Lightweight / #12 WBC Light Welterweight
* 'Irish' Jimmy Robertson (California) ~ 26-4-1 (13 KO's) ~ Age; 26 years, 6 months ~ Height 5' 9" ~ Weight 133 1/4 lbs.

WBA Champion - Ben Villaflor (still a teenager) takes on 'tough' Californian Lightweight, 'Irish' Jimmy Robertson in
a Lightweight bout.

Manager - Larry Inchonise wants to keep the 'Wunderkind' busy, to stay sharp for a possible upcoming Title Defense
in early-1973. He doesn't pick any easy opponent for his young southpaw Champion.

Jimmy Robertson is a tough 'in-your-face' banger, and at nearly 5' 9" will have a 3" reach advantage over Villaflor.
'Irish' likes to swarm over his opponents, and will brawl away which is to his liking. And Jimmy will have a clear size
advantage over Villaflor, as Robertson is a big Lightweight.

A 'House Fighter' at the Olympic Auditorium, Jimmy has been in the ring with the best 'West Coast Lightweights', and
is so highly-regarded, that he is ranked as Light Welterweight by Ring Magazine (#7 in 1971) - (#5 in 1972)

Manager - Gordon Shaw likes his fighter's chance here, and states that, 'My guy is too strong for this little Hawaiian.
Jimmy will wear him down with constant pressure, smother him with his strength, and then pound his body with sweeping hooks.'

The Fight;

Jimmy Robertson soon found out, that the young Hawaiian was indeed 'sensational'. Immediately, Villaflor cracked
the Californian with a big let hook that hurt Robertson.

Villaflor continued with hard left hands, and in Round 3 he scored with a wicked left hand to Robertson's face that
drew blood from the nose. And again in Round 4, Villaflor landed a right-left that buckled Robertson's legs and
drove him half-way across the ring. In Round 5, Villaflor litterally chased Jimmy with wild left hooks after shaking
him earlier.

Both fighters stayed close together in Round 6, and an 'accidental-butt' by Villaflor opened a cut on the edge of Roberton's
right eye. With the fight well in hand, Villaflor was advised by his corner to use his speed and boxing skills to cruise
in Rounds 7 thru 10.

Scorecards
Referee - Walter Minn............50-44 (6-0-4 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor
Judge - Walter Cho................50-45 (5-0-5 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor
Judge - ?????........................50-45 (5-0-5 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor

Note: Despite the 'loss', Jimmy Robertson qualified as a WBA Lightweight, and challenged Roberto Duran for
his Lightweight Championship on January 20, 1973. (Result a loss by KO 5).

[Rover]

Getting the feeling here, that Ben would be too strong for Rocky Lockridge.

Don't think that he would have stopped him, but he would have lumped him up
with those left hand smashes.

Rocky would find out quickly, that the Filipino from Hawaii would be too strong.
If Ben backs up Rocky (which I think he could do without a problem) it would
be a rough night in Honolulu for Rocky.

What if it weren't in Hawaii? I've already said I think Villaflor would win a close decision with a late charge. If Echegaray hurt Villaflor, Lockridge could also, so I think there would be mutual respect earned in the fight.

[Rover]

True with Echegaray,,,,,,but Ben was only 19 1/2 and still learning.

Echegaray was no easy guy to fight, as he was tall and strong (Argentinian with Monzon style)

But didn't Juan LaPorte 'cold-cock' Rocky...........

Ben Villaflor...........mucho strong...

Still evaluating..

Yes, and Laporte could punch quite hard. The same logic could have been used to justify a Mayweather, Chavez or Lopez KO over Lockridge. I think this fight would go the distance.

[Rover]

'More on Villaflor'

Tuesday Night - January 13, 1973 (Blaisdell Center - Honolulu, Hawaii)

Ben Villaflor ~ 47-4-3 (24 KO's)
vs
Juan 'Rojo' Collado ~ 28-16-1 (7 KO's)

'Non-Title' Lightweight Bout

The first bout for the 'non-teenager' Ben Villaflor who is now 20 years of age.

Don Fraser of The Forum (California) sends one of his 'always-ready' and competitive Lightweight
fighters, Juan 'Rojo' Collado, a fighter from the Dominican Republic who is based out of California.

The 23 year-old Collado, a 5' 7" 'banger-brawler' does not have a big punch, but throws 'punches-in-bunches'
and is a crowd favorite back in California. Dont' be misled by Collado's record, as he is the California
State Lightweight Champion, and has tangled with the best of the 'West Coast Lightweights and a few
other highly-regarded Lightweight's including;
Rodolfo Gonzalez (2x), Leo DiFiore, Ruben Navarro, Shinchi Kadota (2x), Jimmy Robertson, Eddie Mazon,
Antonio Gomez, Leonico Ortiz, Raul Montoya, Jesus Alonso, Felipe Torres and Jimmy Heair.

Manager - Lupe Sanchez said, 'My fighter will really test this kid (WBA Super Featherweight Champion)
to see if can compete on the West Coast where the real fighters are. Larry Inchonise saw Juan fight
Flash Gallego here in November, and he knows my guy will be banging away for the entire fight. This should
be a good bout.'

Ben Villaflor (132 1/2 lbs.) slammed Juan 'Rojo' Collado (132 lbs.) to the canvas in the 1st-Round with a hard
left-hook, then cruised to an easy 10-Round Unanimous Decision over the durable California State Lightweight
Champion.

The southpaw Hawaiian repeatedly bounced hard left hands off the head of the durable Juan Collado, and had the
Dominican reeling several times thoughout the bout. In Rounds 7 and 8, it appeared that Referee - Walter Minn
was going to stop the bout, but he allowed the one-sided contest to continue when Collado pleaded his case that
he wanted to go on. Villaflor, seeing a hurt opponent in front him, backed off and boxed during the last '2-Rounds'.

Scorecards;
* Referee - Walter Minn.........49-40
* Judge - Walter Cho.............49-41
* Judge ?????.......................50-41

Compassion for the opponent, it appears.

[Rover]

Monday Night - March 12, 1973 (Blaisdell Center - Honolulu, Hawaii)

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

** Ben Villaflor (Hawaii) ~ 48-4-3 (24 KO's) ~ Age; 20 years, 4 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 129 1/4 lbs.
vs.
#8 WBA Kuniaki Shibata (Japan) ~ 37-4-3 (23 KO's) ~ 25 years, 11 months ~ Height 5' 4" ~ Weight 130 lbs.

Associated Press;
"Sluggers Duel Set For The International Center"

Hawaiian sensation 20 year-old Ben Villaflor, the hard-punching southpaw from the Philippines will make his
'first' Title defense against former WBC Featherweight Champion, 'The Master from Japan' Kuniaki Shibata.

The 25+ year-old former Champion won the WBC Featherweight Title in December 1970, but lost in a shocking
upset to #7 WBC-ranked Clemente Sanchez of Mexico in May 1972 by (L KO 3). Manager - Kenji Yonekura
predicts that his fighter will recapture his 'ring mastery' that was lost last year, and surprise the boxing pundits
who have made the young Villaflor a 5-3 Betting-favorite. Trainer - Stanley Ito of Hawaii has said he has a well
laid out fight-plan for Kuniaki who has never lost to a southpaw - as he has won all '6-Bouts' that he has
been involved in when facing a lefty fighter.

The Fight;

Ben Villaflor came out looking for a quick knockout, and loaded up for a 'one-punch' left hook. But Kuniaki was quick
on hs feet, and avoided any in-close exchanges and was not willing to trade with the powerful Hawaiian.

Shibata's 'wait-and-counter' strategy worked well in Rounds 4 and 5, as Villaflor was unable to land a clean hard
punch on the 5' 4" Shibata, despite having a 2" Reach advanatage.

In Round 6, Villaflor was finally able to trap Shibata, and he landed a 'booming' left-hand to the jaw that wobbled
the Japanese 'spark-plug'.

But, Kuniaki recovered in Round 7, and never stopped moving while landing counter left hooks as the Champion
pressed while winging left-hands.

Shibata regrouped in Rounds 8 and 9 - and he used the 'move-and-counter' strategy to perfection, as he scored
with quick left-hooks as he leaped in and then back out. In the meantime, Villaflor went 'Knockout Happy'
with wide left hooks that missed their mark.

In Round 10, the young Champion was able to get a bit of rhthym, as he landed several sharp land hands that opened
a cut over Shibata's right eye, and drew a steady flow of blood from both the cut and Shibata's nose.

Not to be discouraged, Shibata was able to move 'side-to-side' to clear his head, and in Rounds 11 and 12 he put on
a masterful display of a 'move-counter-move' style that baffled the charging Champion.

Needing a 'Big Round', Villaflor came out in Round 13 with a 'determined and awesome attack', and threw left hand after
left hand until he finally 'nailed' Shibata at the (1:54 Mark). The punch staggered Shibata who was badly hurt.
The Champion tried follow-up left hands, but Shibata never slowed down and continued to move for the rest of the
Round showing his vast experience.

In Round 14, Shibata displayed another session of excellent boxing skills, as he would move and wait to counter with
quick left-hooks, then scamper away from the Champion who was swinging at air.

In Round 15, Villaflor, knowing he needed a 'Big Round' chased and threw left hands with a ferocious intent, but
though he won the Round, he was unable to land a clean solid blow on the elusive Kuniaki Shibata.

Scorecards;
Referee - Walter Cho.............72-70 (5-3-7 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata
Judge - Walter Minn...............72-71 (4-3-8 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata
Judge- Tomatsu Tomisharu.....71-69 (6-4-5 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata

Associated Press....................69-68 (7-6-2 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata
AP - Rounds
(Kuniaki Shibata = 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14)
(Ben Villaflor = 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15)
(Even = 1 and 7)

Kuniaki Shibata, 'He is a good strong fighter, but I could see his punches coming. He telegraph's the left hand,
and I just waited to counter it but still kept moving. I will offer him a rematch after I fight #1 WBA Challenger
Victor Echegaray.'

Stanley Ito, 'Our plan was to 'wait-and-counter' for the first few Rounds, and not get into any exchanges with
Villaflor because he is very strong. I told Kuniaki to wait for Villaflor to throw the left hand, and then to move
and counter. I knew he would go 'Knockout Happy' and leave himself open for counters.'

The WBA has manadated that new Champion - Kuniaki Shibata defend against the #1 Challenger - Victor Echegaray
within 90-Days.

Newspaper Headlines
'SLUGGERS DUEL IN HAWAII, SHIBATA UPSETS VILLAFLOR'
'JAPANESE BOXER WINS, CAPTURES WBA TITLE'
'SHIBATA OUTDUELS VILLAFLOR'
'SHIBATA DECISIONS VILLAFLOR, WIN'S CLOSE FIGHT'
'SHIBATA WINS, OFFERS REMATCH'
'SHIBATA SHOWS MASTERY, WINS SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP'
'SHIBATA CAPTURES TITLE IN HAWAII BATTLE'
'SHIBATA WINS TITLE, DISPLAYS SUPERB COUNTER-PUNCHING IN 15-ROUND BOUT'
'SHIBATA WINS WITH GREAT MOVEMENT, EDGES VILLAFLOR'S ATTACK'