Ernesto Marcel Last Fight: 40 Years Later

[elmersalsa]

Maybe the referee was influenced by the Panamanian crowd. They were showing white handkerchiefs at ringside. That is one of the signs of the crowd over there in Panama for the fight to be stopped.

Well, it was a great fight. I think Duran was going to win by UD, anyway.

With the great Alexis Arguello, it was Marcel's GUTSIEST PERFORMANCE. He was on queer street for 3 rounds at least. Arguello was banging him with wicked shots of lefts and rights and Marcel did not go down.

He announced his retirement even before the fight with Arguello. He said that this sport of boxing is hard sport. He trained so hard, but did not see the $$$$$, the fruits of his labor. That is why he retired. I do not blame him.

[elmersalsa]

Elmersalsa,

I have a few early Newspaper artilces on Ernesto Marcel.

Colon, Panama {Ismael Laguna Ernesto marcel and Miguel Riasco}

When Ernesto Marcel turned Professional {April 1966}, he wanted to be lsmael Laguna.

At {Age; 17 years, 11 months} Ernesto started out as a Bantamweight, and got to 8-0-1 {4 KO's}.

On Sunday ~ July 2, 1967 > he was matched up with another highly-regarded {Colon, Panama} Bantamweight
prospect in Miguel Riasco 7-0-0 {7 KO's}, a 20 year-old 'KO-Artist'.
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The Newspaper account, says it was an '8-Round War' in front of 6000 fans at the Arena de Colon.

For the first 4-Rounds, it was an all-out slugfest. In Round 5, Ernesto staggered Miguel Riasco and had him
'out-on-his-feet'.

But Miguel landed a 'haymaker' from the north shores of the Colon Seaport, and dropped Ernesto like an Anchor.
Somehow, Ernesto made it to his feet at the '7-Count' and survived. Ernesto fought in a daze for the rest of the
bout and somehow finished the 8-Rounder.

Ernesto Marcel lost the 8-Rounde Decision. 19 year-old Ernesto was so shook up by that bout, that he quit boxing
for 6-Months to satisfy his Mother's request.

Miguel Riasco was a good fighter from Colon. He was Nato's greatest rival. He beat Riasco 2 out of 3 fights.

[elmersalsa]

This was the great Alexis Arguello's first world title fight. The inexperienced 21 year old Nicaraguan even though he lost, gained lots of praise from the Panamanian press and also experience after the fight.

He would not lose another world title fight in 8 years and won 19 world title fights in a row in 3 weight classes. That is how good this guy was. Marcel beat a guy that little we did know, would become one of the greatest champions in history and all-time great.

From 1974 to 1982, Arguello only lost 2 fights in 42 times in the ring before facing the great Aaron Pryor.

[elmersalsa]

How do you have the Marcel vs Arguello and the Duran vs Marcel scores, Il Dulce? I had it 145-142 in favor of Marcel to retain his title. The Marcel vs Duran fight, I had Duran winning by one point at the time of the stoppage.

[elmersalsa]

Arguello, never again went to Panama to fight. He did return to Panama to train for the first Aaron Pryor fight, though.

[elmersalsa]

You are probably more correct in the scoring of Duran vs Marcel bout than I. It was a close fight without a doubt. A Panamanian classic. I think the scoring is about right.

How do you scored Marcel vs Arguello?

[elmersalsa]

Elmer Salsa,

Are you aware, that Ernesto Marcel was Trained by Ramon 'Curro' Dossman, who also handled Ismael Laguna.

After Ernesto Marcel 'retired', Ramon 'Curro' Dossman was hired by Dr. Eduardo Roman to train Alexis Arguello.

Ernesto was Managed by Panamanian Fight Promoter - Harmodio Icaza.
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Ernesto Marcel was true to his word, and said he would retire following his February 16, 1974 'Title Defense'
against Alexis Arguello.

Immediately after defeating #7 WBA-ranked Alexis Arguello, Ernesto was offered a $150,000 Fight Purse to
go to Japan, and make another Title Defense in late-May 1974 against the #3 WBA Challenger - Zensuke Utagawa.

Ernesto Marcel announced his retirement on February 28, 1974.

Great observations. And great information Il Dulce. See, this guy is very good this Il Dulce. But some people do not like him here. I like him.

[elmersalsa]

You are probably more correct in the scoring of Duran vs Marcel bout than I. It was a close fight without a doubt. A Panamanian classic. I think the scoring is about right.

How do you scored Marcel vs Arguello?

I had it closer than the '3' Panamanian Judges.

* Servio Tulio Lay........... 146-140 {10-4-1; in Rounds}
* Harmodio Cedeno........ 146-142 {8-4-3; in Rounds}
* Julio Carlos Tapia........ 146-140 {10-4-1; in Rounds}

I had many Rounds very close, and scored it 146-144 {6-4-5 in Rounds}.

Some 'funny business' going on before this bout.
A} Ernesto Marcel was well above the Featherweight limit, and was near 130 lbs. at the weigh-in, despite getting weighed at {125 3/4 lbs.}
B} The Arguello Camp claimed that Alexis was at 125 1/2 lbs. at the Hotel scale just before the morning pre-fight weigh-in.
C} At the weigh-in, Alexis came in at {122 1/2 lbs.}, 3 pounds under what he weighed.
D} Carlos Eleta {Panamanian Fight Manager} was trying to buy Arguello's contract.

I also had it closer than the 3 Panamanian judges myself: 145-142 sounds about right to me.