The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time

[elmersalsa]

El Ca~as started the year 1978 where he left off in 1977 by stopping future WBC World Bantamweight Champion Alberto Davila of Pomona, CA. A very good fighter, Davila beat Mexican fighters like former champ Rodolfo Martinez and future champion Lupe Pintor.

Davila at the time, had a knockout loss to WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Wilfredo Gomez of Puerto Rico in a non-title bout.

The first 2 rounds were study rounds. The fight started to get heated by the third round in which Davila got the best of it in the fourth.

Davila, 25, the challenger, had a record of 26-4, 9KOs.

After the fourth round, it was all Zarate's. But, not without getting some licks from Davila in a back and forth contest.

Davila suffered a cut in the 7th. The fight was stopped when he got dropped by a Zarate famous left hook.

The American referee, Henry Elespuru, stopped the contest in round 8 because of cuts.

Zarate improves to 49-0, with 48 knockouts! Would he be stopped? And when? And by who?

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On Saturday, April 22, 1978, El Canas next title defense is at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico against local challenger Andres "Puppy" Hernandez.

Nothing much to say about Puppy. One notorious fight was on December of 1975 against his country man, the great Wilfredo Gomez losing by knockout in 8 rounds.

It is disheartening when a fighter doesn't give you much of a fight. And this was the case with Hernandez. Being aware of the champion's record, (49-0, 48KOs) and reputation as the best Bantamweight in the world, Puppy ran most of the fight.

As a challenger, you can't win a title fight by only running and expect to get the crown. You gotta overwhelm the champion, and win outright. Especially, if the champion is trying to get a fight out of it to satisfy the paying customer. You gotta throw blows! You gotta impress the judges. Puppy didn't do that.

The first 4 rounds were uneventful, thanks to Puppy's running around the ring without giving any contact. Until when he's going to run?

In round 5, well, Zarate connected a left hook to Puppy's jaw. Puppy tried to hold on, but went down to the canvas. It was a knockdown. Are we going to have a fight now? Yes! But not for long. Puppy responded with some fast combinations at the end of the round, but it was all Zarate's.

Zarate wins the next two rounds, even though Hernandez ain't fighting, but kept running.

Zarate was a little frustrated because he wanted action. But, he kept his cool. He knew that Hernandez wasn't going to win this fight. His crown is secure.

But, Hernandez was the first fighter since Victor Ramirez to last at least ten rounds with Canas. And was the first title challenger to do so.

The fight ended in round 13th. Puppy was not giving action, just getting more and more punishment and had a cut below the left eye.

American referee Richard Steele stopped the contest and the winner and still the WBC Bantamweight Champion of the World!.......Carlos Zarate!

Zarate improves to 50-0, with 49 knockouts! Wow!

A super fight with the undefeated WBC World Bantamweight Champion, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez, is on the works.

[elmersalsa]

On Saturday, April 22, 1978, El Canas next title defense is at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico against local challenger Andres "Puppy" Hernandez.

Nothing much to say about Puppy. One notorious fight was on December of 1975 against his country man, the great Wilfredo Gomez losing by knockout in 8 rounds.

It is disheartening when a fighter doesn't give you much of a fight. And this was the case with Hernandez. Being aware of the champion's record, (49-0, 48KOs) and reputation as the best Bantamweight in the world, Puppy ran most of the fight.

As a challenger, you can't win a title fight by only running and expect to get the crown. You gotta overwhelm the champion, and win outright. Especially, if the champion is trying to get a fight out of it to satisfy the paying customer. You gotta throw blows! You gotta impress the judges. Puppy didn't do that.

The first 4 rounds were uneventful, thanks to Puppy's running around the ring without giving any contact. Until when he's going to run?

In round 5, well, Zarate connected a left hook to Puppy's jaw. Puppy tried to hold on, but went down to the canvas. It was a knockdown. Are we going to have a fight now? Yes! But not for long. Puppy responded with some fast combinations at the end of the round, but it was all Zarate's.

Zarate wins the next two rounds, even though Hernandez ain't fighting, but kept running.

Zarate was a little frustrated because he wanted action. But, he kept his cool. He knew that Hernandez wasn't going to win this fight. His crown is secure.

But, Hernandez was the first fighter since Victor Ramirez to last at least ten rounds with Canas. And was the first title challenger to do so.

The fight ended in round 13th. Puppy was not giving action, just getting more and more punishment and had a cut below the left eye.

American referee Richard Steele stopped the contest and the winner and still the WBC Bantamweight Champion of the World!.......Carlos Zarate!

Zarate improves to 50-0, with 49 knockouts! Wow!

A super fight with the undefeated WBC World Bantamweight Champion, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez, is on the works.

[elmersalsa]

On Friday, June 9, 1978 at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV, Carlos Zarate makes his 8th title defense of his WBC World Bantamweight Crown.

The fight was one of the bouts of the undercard of the Main Event of the WBC World Heavyweight Championship between unbeaten challenger Larry Holmes and champion Ken Norton.

His challenger was Emilio Hernandez of the Dominican Republic who resided in Venezuela.

Who's Emilio Hernandez and what did he do to take a title shot? His record appears in BoxRec database as 4-4. With all due respect, that record must be incorrect.

Everything was well in the fight. The guys were pleasing the crowd and getting their money's worth.

In round two, Hernandez went down. It was a matter of time for the champion Zarate to finish the fight. The fight will end up quick.

By the fourth round, both fighters were throwing some serious leather. Hernandez gambled it. It was suicidal to do so. And the Dominican paid the price in the slugfest by a crushing right to his jaw. He didn't know what hit him! The American referee Ferd Fernandez count it to ten and Zarate ties the great Eder Jofre in most consecutive title defenses won by knockout with 8.

On September 30, 1978, Zarate has a tune up fight at the 122lbs limit for his preparation of his challenge against the great WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez of Puerto Rico.

Zarate fought country man Rudy Gonzalez, and also Gonzalez was stopped in four.

It was Zarate's 52nd straight win and 51st knockout.

Zarate improves to 52-0, 51KOs. His super fight with Gomez is already set in San Juan, Puerto Rico for October 29, 1978.

[elmersalsa]

The question is, what really happened to the great Ca~as on the night of Saturday, October 29, 1978 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico?

What really happened?

And the second question is, why would he travel to San Juan to fight such a dangerous and hard-hitting champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez who was the local guy?

It was for sure Zarate's worst performance of his entire boxing career. The fight started off well by both fighters for the first three rounds.

The scoring line was that on this fight, someone will get knocked out. This is the second fight where Zarate pits against another knockout artist. The first one was against his countryman Alfonso Zamora in the "Battle of the Z Boys"

But, this time, Zarate was challenging the WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion that was at his weight, bigger and stronger and had already five title defenses, all by knockout!

Gomez had a unbeaten and unbelievable record of 21-0-1, with 21KOs. Zarate's record was even more spectacular: He was 52-0, with 51 knockouts!

The combined record between them was 73-0-1, 72 knockouts! Only 2 men survived their punching power. May I say only one. Because in the rematch in Panama City, Panama, in 1975, Bazooka anhiliated local Jacinto Fuentes.

Fuentes drew with Gomez in their first fight. It was also Gomez's pro debut in 1974.

The fight started off by Zarate as always, pursuing and carrying the fight to Bazooka. Bazooka was backing up and boxing Zarate, even though he was the bigger guy. Zarate was the tallest of the two.

For three rounds everything was good for Zarate. Not much happening in those first three rounds. Gomez was cautious about Zarate's power. But, was Zarate aware of Gomez's power?

Zarate was in command in round 4. He was scoring heavily on Gomez and both were exchanging leather, giving the Puerto Rican crowd, their money's worth. But about one minute left in round 4, something drastic happened to Ca~as. He was surprised by a beautiful left hook by Bazooka. It was a shot that he didn't see. That turned the tide of the fight. Zarate is in bad shape and the Puerto Rican crowd went ballistic.

Like they should, the crowd kept exalting Gomez to keep up the pace and to knock Zarate out. Another right put Zarate down and Zarate was in trouble. His legs were feeling weak. They were feeble. It was the first time in his career that he went down. And the first time that he ever looked in bad shape. He was totally in queer street. Only for the bell saved his ass when it rang for the end of the round. It was a great round for Gomez, even though Zarate was dominating the first two minutes.

It was all over in the fifth. Zarate, still in queer street received bomb after bomb from the champion. In his last fall, Gomez hit Zarate while Zarate was down in the canvas. English referee Harry Gibbs acted like if he didn't see it. And right there, Zarate's corner threw the white towel. The fight is over. Gomez is still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!

Zarate loses for the first time in his fantastic career. Gomez almost killed him!

After the fight, or during the fight, rumors has it that Zarate was sick with a high fever. Others say that he had diarrhea. Then, why you came to fight? He had to. He was going to get sued if he didn't for breach of contract by not fighting.

We get it. But, in reality, we cannot discount the performance by the great Wilfredo Gomez. He fought very well and very smart by outboxing the Mexican champ and then went for the kill after that precious left hook delivered in Zarate's jaw.

The question will always be, was that the real Carlos Zarate that night?

Was he really sick? Or just couldn't handle Gomez's punching power? Was Gomez really too much and too strong for him because it was four pounds over his weight limit? Was four pounds too much for him?
Or was it simply, Gomez was better?

My take on Zarate was that he made 3 big mistakes in this fight:
1. He went to challenge Gomez at Gomez's backyard. This super fight of this magnitude should have been fought in a neutral turf like in Las Vegas, NV.

2. He should have had at least 3 fights for preparation to get accostumed to the weight, even though, it was only four pounds north of his weight class.

3. He was pursuing the boxer puncher when he had to fight using his reach and height. He didn't use those attributes correctly.

It was the beginning of the end for Ca~as. He left San Juan, Puerto Rico very humbled and humiliated. The sport of boxing got a new superstar, and his name is Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez of Las Monjas, Puerto Rico.

Gomez improves to 22-0-1, with 22 knockouts!
Zarate drops to 52-1, with 51 knockouts.

[elmersalsa]

Ca~as next title defense was against John Mensah of Togo.

The record of Mensah was 45-2 by some sources. But somewhat or somehow, he became Zarate's number one contender for the WBC World Bantamweight Championship.

Zarate came back to his weight class as usual. This time was no different. It was March, 1979, five months after that lackluster performance and shellacking given by the Champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez in 5 miserable rounds for Gomez's WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown.

Mensah, didn't had much to give. But the guy was valiant. He got dropped by a left hook to the jaw in round 5 and that was it. Zarate is still the WBC World Bantamweight Champion.

Zarate improves to 53-1, with 52KOs.

[elmersalsa]

If a champion loses his crown, he got to lose it in the ring. And he got to be very overwhelmed by the challenger or lose by far that really, he got beat.

This was not the case when "El Ca~as", the great Carlos Zarate, was defending his tenth title defense against former boxing stablemate and country man, Lupe Pintor of Mexico City.

How can Zarate lost that title? It was bullcrap in my view. Zarate should have kept his crown in my honest opinion. He was the one that did the more damage. He was the one that carried the fight for the most part.

In round 4, Zarate dropped Pintor, 24, with a right hand. A beautiful shot.

Pintor, with a record of 38-4, with 31KOs, couldn't beat guys that Zarate beat. He lost to Albert Davila by decision, in which Zarate stopped him in 8 the year before.

I give Pintor credit where it's due. He was the only challenger of Zarate's reign to go the distance of 15 rounds. But, did he win the fight! Hell no!

Even though Pintor rallied after round 10, and hurt Zarate by round 11, he didn't do enough to win the title. It was one of the biggest injustices that I have ever witnessed by a champion losing his title. It was my first time that I have seen this fight. Zarate won outright.

Zarate in my view, has never lost a fight at Bantamweight. He is one of the greatest of that division, no doubt about it.

After that injustice of taking away his title, a desillusioned and disappointed Ca~as called it quits and retired from the sport at a young age of 28.


The fight was on a Sunday, June 3, 1979 at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV.

Zarate retired for now with a record of 53-2, with 52 knockouts!

Pintor proved to be a great champion after winning the title. He made 8 title defenses in 4 years, and relinquished the crown to concentrate in winning the Super Bantamweight Crown.

He improves to 39-4, with 31 knockouts.

He also challenged the great Wilfredo Gomez for the WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown in December of 1982, giving Gomez a better fight than what Zarate did, but ended stopped in the 14th round. The fight was in New Orleans, LA.

Later, a year or so, Pintor wins the WBC World Super Bantamweight belt.

Zarate vs Pintor was one of the most controversial world title fights in history.

[elmersalsa]

The Zarate vs Pintor fight scoring was the following:
Judge Harold Buck, scored it 143-142, for Pintor.

Judge Bob Martin scored the fight 145-133, Zarate. I know that Zarate won, but not by that wide margin. I give Pintor credit that he gave a battle. I don't know what that judge was watching.

And Judge Art Laurie scored it 143-142, Pintor.

The winner by split decision and new WBC World Bantamweight Champion!: Lupe Pintor!

All judges were American.

[elmersalsa]

Correction:

The great Carlos Zarate, El Ca~as, retired at age 28 with a record of 54-2, with 53KOs!

It's still an unbelievable and impressive record for a hall of fame resume.

[elmersalsa]

On February 10, 1986, almost seven years from his last fight against Lupe Pintor, the great Ca~as, Carlos Zarate makes his comeback.

This time, at 36 years of age, he fights a four-rounder against unknown Adam Garcia of California. Zarate wins by decision.

And what made Zarate do his come back? I don't know. He was probably strapped for cash. Or maybe he wanted to recover his past glory. But, the truth is that he's fighting out of our heads at that advanced age of boxing.

This time, Zarate was heavy set. He was over the weight limit of 118. Zarate was Fighting at super bantam class on this time around. The great Wilfredo Gomez already left the division 3 years earlier and was also at the tailspin of the end of his glorious career fighting as the WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion. Zarate ain't chasing him and put that brutal loss to Gomez in San Juan to rest.

Zarate in his comeback trail wins 12 straight fights, in which ten were won by knockout and one by decision. His last seven, were consecutively won by knockout.

But that was against young, and inexperienced and not great boxers.
He won against fighters that on another day in his prime, these cats wouldn't pass the first round with him.

Why he cameback? For many, he needed money. Zarate in those seven years after retirement disappointedly quit and snorted and smoked a great deal of cocaine. He is back for a comeback. Like his fights were carefully crafted.

Was this comeback inspired the great George Foreman? Probably. But, people forgot that Foreman fought weak opposition on his comeback also.

Zarate improves to 66-1, with 64 knockouts! Ironically, he is fit to fight for a world title

All jus

[elmersalsa]

On February 10, 1986, almost seven years from his last fight against Lupe Pintor, the great Ca~as, Carlos Zarate makes his comeback.

This time, at 36 years of age, he fights a four-rounder against unknown Adam Garcia of California. Zarate wins by decision.

And what made Zarate do his come back? I don't know. He was probably strapped for cash. Or maybe he wanted to recover his past glory. But, the truth is that he's fighting out of our heads at that advanced age of boxing.

This time, Zarate was heavy set. He was over the weight limit of 118. Zarate was Fighting at super bantam class on this time around. The great Wilfredo Gomez already left the division 3 years earlier and was also at the tailspin of the end of his glorious career fighting as the WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion. Zarate ain't chasing him and put that brutal loss to Gomez in San Juan to rest.

Zarate in his comeback trail wins 12 straight fights, in which ten were won by knockout and one by decision. His last seven, were consecutively won by knockout.

But that was against young, and inexperienced and not great boxers.
He won against fighters that on another day in his prime, these cats wouldn't pass the first round with him.

Why he cameback? For many, he needed money. Zarate in those seven years after retirement disappointedly quit and snorted and smoked a great deal of cocaine. He is back for a comeback. Like his fights were carefully crafted.

Was this comeback inspired the great George Foreman? Probably. But, people forgot that Foreman fought weak opposition on his comeback also.

Zarate improves to 66-1, with 64 knockouts! Ironically, he is fit to fight for a world title

66-2, 63KOs

[elmersalsa]

I don't know what was for El Ca~as to go to someone else backyard to fight for a world title? Did he ever learned his lesson from the Wilfredo Gomez fight in San Juan, Puerto Rico?

This time, at age 36, Zarate does again the dumb mistake to go to Sydney, Australia to challenge WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Jeff Fenech.

Fenech, like Gomez, was an undefeated champion at the time. He was a two division world champion at this time. He became champion of the world for the first time at the Bantamweight division.

This time, Fenech, 25, has an impressive record of 17-0, with 14 knockouts. His nickname fitted him as The Thunder from Down Under. A scrappy, relentless brawler with an incredible stamina and fighting will spirit.

Zarate came with a record of 66-2, with 63 knockouts! But, he was 36, and he fought 12 fights in his comeback against non-world class opponents. Probably, he fought those 12 fights to get accostumed to the weight of 122lbs, but the quality of opposition had lots to be desired.

Still, in this fight, at least in the first round, he looked formidable as the Zarate of the Bantamweight class days.

Because in round one, just 14 seconds into it, he dropped Fenech with a left hook. It was clearly a knockdown. But, the American referee, Henry Elespuru, called it a slip? What the heck is going on? What did he see? What fight he was watching? No matter how you flip it or flop it, it was a legitimate knockdown. Not a slip.

Fenech came charging at the old former champ with lefts and rights, and the crowd went bezerk. They roared at every punch that Fenech threw. He put Zarate in bad shape in the middle of the round. Zarate won this round 10-9, because of the knockdown he put on Fenech, but Fenech scored more punches.

Round two Zarate was rocked by the young champion with left and rights and with rabbit punches. Fenech clearly won round two, but the referee doesn't warn him of the rabbit punches.

Round 3, Zarate was deducted of a point for low blow. The referee sees the low blows but the rabbit punches by Fenech are ignored. Fenech won the round 10-8. He was the one giving it. He was relentless, with incredible pace, a la Aaron Pryor or Henry Armstrong. He was like the Tasmanian Devil.

In round 4, Fenech's aggressive pressure paid off and dropped the old former champ. Another 10-8 round on his favor. But not before the round was ending, that Zarate was scoring with some serious combinations to the body and head of Fenech. Next thing we see in the fight, a gash in Fenech's under the right eye.

When between rounds, the 4th and 5th, Fenech's corner claimed that Fenech's cut under the right eye was a product of a head butt. A head butt that it was not seen a no time at all. The referee calls the ring doctor and the doctor stops the fight just like that!

In my view, Fenech was protected the whole entire time. Zarate jumps for joy thinking that he won and is the new WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion by winning by a fourth round TKO.

To his surprise, the fight was stopped and went to the score cards. In all scorecards, Fenech won 40-34 by technical decision after 4 rounds. That was insane!

I believe that Zarate didn't get an opportunity to get back and win the fight. It was so biased that even the boxing announcers calling the fight were biased. Zarate's only chance to win in Sydney, Australia on the night of October 16, 1987 at the Hordern Pavilion was to win by knockout. In a neutral turf, that fight would have continued. And if Fenech's cornermen decided to stop the fight because of a non-dangerous cut, Zarate most likely would have become the new WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion.

Zarate drops to 66-3, 63 knockouts! It's his second fight that he loses in controversial fashion.

Fenech retains his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown and improves to 18-0, 14 knockouts.

[elmersalsa]

On April 1977, the great Carlos Zarate of Mexico was in one of the most explosive Bantamweight matches in boxing history against former champion and stablemate Alfonso Zamora.

It was a fight between two undefeated world champions with unbelievable knockout records. It was called, "The Battle of the Z-Boys" with Zarate winning the match by a fourth round TKO. It was Zarate's greatest defining moment.

In Zarate's last fight, on February 28, 1988, at the Great Western Forum, Zarate meets former WBC World Bantamweight Champion and countryman Daniel Zaragoza.

In no time at all there was a saying that the fight was another Battle of the Z-Boys part II. And Why not? If both surenames started with Z? And both were former champions in a crossroad fight to win another world crown.

It was ironic at the time, that the country of Mexico in their rich boxing tradition and history, at that point in 1988, had not had a triple crown world champion. Unbelievable! And at that point, Mexico with a total at the time of about 40+ world champions, had only 4 two-division world champions. The winner of this fight would be only their 5th two-division world champion in their history. This is hard to believe.

Mexico's first triple crown world champion was Julio Cesar Chavez in 1989.

The young Zaragoza was a southpaw with slick and smooth boxing skills. He became World Bantamweight Champion of the WBC version when he defeated American Fred Jackson for the vacant crown by disqualification in 7 rounds in May 1985. He lost the crown to Colombian Miguel "Happy" Lora by decision in 1986. Then, in his next fight, he lost to future hall of famer Jeff Fenech of Australia also by decision in 10 rounds.

But, he rebounded with a seven-fight win streak before meeting Ca~as. Zaragoza was 33-4, with 19KOs leading up to the fight. Zarate was 66-3, with 63KOs. Still a very impressive record.

Zarate has not fought since February of 1987 when he unjustly los to champion Fenech for the WBC Super Bantamweight Crown in Australia. He was 37 years of age. An age that should be considering retirement, but he was looking for the last glory and elusive super bantam world title. This is his third try at the same title.

From the beginning, Zaragoza's speed of hands and feet were confusing the aging Zarate. Going around in circles and not giving Zarate any angles, Zaragoza peppered Zarate with right jabs and left crosses with blending speed. Zarate was outboxed. And he had some flashes of his old former self, but Zaragoza was younger and better. Zaragoza was 27 years old.

Winning the fight comfortably, and with a wide margin, Zaragoza caught Zarate with a big straight left and Zarate tumbles. Two and three more lefts followed and the American referee, Vince Delgado, saw that it was enough. The winner by TKO in round 10 and new WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Daniel Zaragoza!

This was finally, El Ca~as last fight. He announced his retirement for good and retired at age 37 with a record of 66-4, with 63 knockouts! Still an unbelievable record!


Zaragoza improves to 34-4,:with 20 knockouts, and continued with 20 title fights after that. He won the WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown 2 more times and retired for good when a young all-time great and future hall of famer, countryman Erick "El Terrible" Morales took his crown by knockout in 1997.

With 4 world titles in his belt, Zaragoza was inducted also into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY in 2003. Zaragoza is one of the greatest boxers in Super Bantamweight boxing history.

As for Zarate, he didn't had no much more to prove. He gave it all he had in all his fights. He was an exciting knockout artist that gave the fans their money's worth.

By beating Alfonso Zamora as his defining fight, Zarate became an all-time pound per pound great, no matter how we look at it. In my view, he never lost a fight at Bantamweight, even with the Lupe Pintor fight withstanding.

Zarate, a top ten all-time great fighter in the history of Mexican boxing, was also voted by the Ring Magazine as one of the top 100 greatest pound per pound punchers of all-time. He was a terrific fighter that could give any bantamweight in history, a run for their money.

All I have to say, that this guy Zarate, was great. And could have been a greater fighter in this list if he would have had better judgement, especially on his trip to Puerto Rico to fight future hall of famer Wilfredo Gomez for Gomez WBC Super Bantamweight Crown.

But, no matter what, his place in boxing history, especially in Bantamweight class is secure. He was a true all-time pound per pound great.

[elmersalsa]

Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate

And now, at #68, we got the great Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico!

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#68. Wilfred Benitez:
Record: 53-8-1, 31KOs
KO Pct is 58%
Career: 1973-90.
World Titles Held: WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion (1976-77), WBC World Welterweight Champion (1979), and WBC World Super Welterweight Champion (1981-82)

Highlights:. Triple crown division World champion that was undefeated in his first 39 bouts, winning his first 28. Became the youngest fighter to win a world title at age 17. A world record that probably would never be matched. Became also the youngest triple crown division champion in history at age 22. Beat 6 out of 10 world champions. (Record vs world champions is 7-4, 1KO). Beat 3 out of 5 hall of Fame boxers. (Record versus hall of famers is 3-2, 0KOs).

Historical Impact: Became the youngest boxing world champion in history at only 17 years of age. Also became the youngest triple crown division champion at age 22. Became the 5th boxer in history to win 3 world titles in 3 weight classes. One the greatest boxing masters of his era. He was also one of the greatest jr welterweight boxers in division history.

Defining Fight: W15 Antonio Cervantes....March 6, 1976..."Became the youngest fighter in boxing history to win a world title at age 17"

Other Defining Fights: W15 Carlos Palomino, W10 Bruce Curry, , LTKO15 Sugar Ray Leonard , WKO 12 Maurice Hope, W15 Roberto Duran , and L15 Thomas Hearns

Your thoughts on this great champion.

[elmersalsa]

And the question was leading up to the fight, who is this Wilfred Benitez? He wasn't well known all over the world not even in the United States, even though, he was really born there in the Bronx, a New York City borough, on September 12, 1958.

Unbeaten in his first 25 fights, the young challenger only fight of note was a ten round decision against journeyman Angel Robinson Garcia of Cuba, who was an escalator for any young boxer to see if he have it in the ranks. To see if he has it in this rough and tough business that is boxing.

Yes!, Benitez had it and more. All at age 17. An age where teenagers his age were worried about their high school grades and chasing girls, this young gun was fighting grown men for money and glory.

Benitez started his professional boxing career at age 14. That's young. Maybe, way too young! His father, Gregorio "Goyo" Benitez was his main trainer. Benitez, a child prodigy, also had two other brothers older than he that boxed professionally: Gregory Jr and Frankie.

It was March 6, 1976 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico when accomplished WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion, Antonio Cervantes also known as Kid Pambele of Colombia was defending his crown for the eleventh time. In one of his best title defenses, he beat Benitez' fellow boxing stablemate and countryman Esteban De Jesus by decision in Panama City, Panama. Also that year of 1976, De Jesus became WBC World Lightweight Champion by beating champion Guts Ishimatsu by decision.

Cervantes also had great wins of note against Nicolino Locche of Argentina, Hector Thompson of Australia, Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez of Mexico and Alfonso Frazier of Panama in which he took the title from in 1972 in Frazer's backyard.

Cervantes at 31, had a stellar reputation as champion. He had a record at the time of 50-9-1, with 27 knockouts. But some records suggested that he had over 81 fights at the time. Whatever his record was at the time was a good one. He fought the very best of the Jr welterweight division at the time. He was Colombia's first ever world champion at any sport.

With some of his high school classmates in attendance at a full capacity crowd, Benitez was determined to give Puerto Rico another world championship in boxing. He had an undefeated record of 25-0, with 20KOs. Just very impressive for a young boxer.

Into the fight, and the crowd behind him, Benitez at that young age didn't show no signs of fear. He was fighting like a veteran. He was fighting a grown man. A real great champion of the division history.

It was Benitez that looked like the veteran fighter than Cervantes in which once in his career, he looked befuddled by the young man's speed and defense. He found out that the youngster was hard to hit and was nothing to play with. Benitez' jab dominated the fight with clever counterpunching. The crowd at Hiram Bithorn was static about their young hero. That fast jab was on Cervantes' face very often.

One thing about Cervantes was that he was a very proud champion. He always gave it his all. But, on this night in San Juan, he looked totally flat and beaten. Did he really took it easy on the kid? Or was the kid too good to be true? I don't know what, but his chances for a super fight with lightweight king with Panamanian Roberto Duran, considered the best fighter of the world throughout the 70s decade, was out of the window.

Cervantes had his moments, but Benitez grabbed all the highlights. Especially, in round 11th where he had Kid Pambele in trouble. Benitez almost knocked him out.

After that 11th round, Puerto Rico and the world were watching something special and history in the making. They knew they had their new world champion.

By the fight's end, the crowd at the stadium, were just waiting, watching and hoping that their new hero didn't get caught by a lucky punch. It was what Cervantes really needed.

When the final bell sounded, two million Puerto Ricans were so static and happy for their new young king who fought like a veteran of ten years. Cervantes in defeat, looked like an amateur. He never looked this bad since losing to Nicolino Locche of Argentina in 1971.

The winner by split decision and new WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion, is Wilfred Benitez!

Benitez made history in boxing at age 17 to become the youngest world champion, regardless of weight class. It was one of the history of boxing greatest upsets and also one of boxing's all-time greatest achievements.

The new WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion is Wilfred Benitez!

The scoring by the judges were like these:
Referee Isaac Herrera of Panama scored it, 148-144, Benitez.

Judge Jesus Celia of Venezuela scored it, 147-145, Cervantes. I wonder what fight he was watching?

And judge Roberto Ramirez of Puerto Rico scored, 147-142, Benitez.


I scored the fight 148-141, Benitez.

Puerto Rico had a new world champion and the best is yet to come.

[Seamus]

I had it 147-141 for Benitez. A 17 yr old boy decisively defeated a Hall of Famer. At least on my card.

[elmersalsa]

I had it 147-141 for Benitez. A 17 yr old boy decisively defeated a Hall of Famer. At least on my card.

That's a good scoring, Seamus. I saw Benitez win 148-141. A teenager beats a grown man.

[elmersalsa]

Since winning the WBA World Jr Welterweight Title, The Bible of Boxing or El Radar Benitez had a series of no so great fights against below average opposition.

He defended his crown for the first time against Tony Petronelli of Brockton, MA. Petronelli is one of the sons of the Petronelli brothers that at the time were their trainers and also the trainers of the young and rising prospect Marvin Hagler.

Benitez stopped Tony in 3 rounds.

After that, Benitez went to another series of fights. He even was one of the fighters that fought at the US Boxing Championships promoted by American Don King.

Benitez fought at welterweight for the first time on American TV audience against top contender Harold Weston, Jr of New York. The fight was on Wednesday, February 2, 1977 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Weston, Jr had a record of 20-6-3, with only 5 knockouts. Not a good of a puncher, but was slick and graceful fighter. Benitez dominated him in my view. Not a great performance, but he won. Some ringside observers say that he lost because he stopped fighting and started clowning and doing the Ali's Shuffle after round 6.

But, Weston didn't do much either. What was the point? The result? A draw. It was Benitez's first black mark in his record. Benitez ended his winning streak at 26 fights, and now has a record of 26-0-1, with 18KOs.

The judges scored the fight as followed:
Referee Johnny LoBianco scored it 7-3, Benitez
Judge Harold Lederman scored it, 5-5, draw
And judge Al Reid scored it, 5-5, draw.

All judges were American.

I scored it, 5-3-2 for Benitez.

[elmersalsa]

Wilfred "El Radar" Benitez was stripped from his WBA World Jr Welterweight Title for not giving #1 contender and former champion Antonio Cervantes of Colombia a rematch.

Benitez had a car accident earlier in the year with minor injuries.

But, New York Boxing Commission declared Benitez the true lineal world champion when he defended the crown on Wednesday, August 3, 1977 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

His challenger was an unknown named Ray Chavez Guerrero of Venezuela. A patsy.

Guerrero only had great shell defensive style a la Floyd Mayweather Sr/Jr. His record was 30-6-3, with 16KOs. He was residing in Canada.

It was one of the most boring fights ever. A fight that Benitez didn't want nothing to do with it in the first place. He promised to stop Guerrero in 5, but it went almost the distance.

That was probably because the dude had a mirror image in defense as Benitez. When two defensive fighters are in the ring, you can't expect a dramatic fight. Those fights are only appreciated by real boxing fans that appreciate defensive cleverness. The PROBLEM with the challenger was that he didn't throw enough punches. And the ones that he really threw, missed the target. So, Benitez was doing all the action.

The fight was one-sided. Benitez didn't had to worry about losing the crown by a lucky punch. Guerrero couldn't hit hard enough if he ever did.

Benitez in round 15 threw a left hook and the challenger stumbled to the ropes. A 25-punch flurry followed after that and Guerrero went down. Showing courage, he got up, but American referee Arthur Mercante saw enough and stopped the fight.

The winner by TKO in round 15 and still the NYSC World and Lineal world champion Jr Welterweight Champion is Wilfred Benitez!

Benitez at age 18, fought at Jr welterweight for the last time. He improves to 32-0-1, with 22KOs.

[Ambling Alp II]

Since winning the WBA World Jr Welterweight Title, The Bible of Boxing or El Radar Benitez had a series of no so great fights against below average opposition.

He defended his crown for the first time against Tony Petronelli of Brockton, MA. Petronelli is one of the sons of the Petronelli brothers that at the time were their trainers and also the trainers of the young and rising prospect Marvin Hagler.

Benitez stopped Tony in 3 rounds.

After that, Benitez went to another series of fights. He even was one of the fighters that fought at the US Boxing Championships promoted by American Don King.

Benitez fought at welterweight for the first time on American TV audience against top contender Harold Weston, Jr of New York. The fight was on Wednesday, February 2, 1977 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Weston, Jr had a record of 20-6-3, with only 5 knockouts. Not a good of a puncher, but was slick and graceful fighter. Benitez dominated him in my view. Not a great performance, but he won. Some ringside observers say that he lost because he stopped fighting and started clowning and doing the Ali's Shuffle after round 6.

But, Weston didn't do much either. What was the point? The result? A draw. It was Benitez's first black mark in his record. Benitez ended his winning streak at 26 fights, and now has a record of 26-0-1, with 18KOs.

The judges scored the fight as followed:
Referee Johnny LoBianco scored it 7-3, Benitez
Judge Harold Lederman scored it, 5-5, draw
And judge Al Reid scored it, 5-5, draw.

All judges were American.

I scored it, 5-3-2 for Benitez.

Just to be clear, winning 5 of 10 rounds is "dominating".

[elmersalsa]

Since winning the WBA World Jr Welterweight Title, The Bible of Boxing or El Radar Benitez had a series of no so great fights against below average opposition.

He defended his crown for the first time against Tony Petronelli of Brockton, MA. Petronelli is one of the sons of the Petronelli brothers that at the time were their trainers and also the trainers of the young and rising prospect Marvin Hagler.

Benitez stopped Tony in 3 rounds.

After that, Benitez went to another series of fights. He even was one of the fighters that fought at the US Boxing Championships promoted by American Don King.

Benitez fought at welterweight for the first time on American TV audience against top contender Harold Weston, Jr of New York. The fight was on Wednesday, February 2, 1977 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Weston, Jr had a record of 20-6-3, with only 5 knockouts. Not a good of a puncher, but was slick and graceful fighter. Benitez dominated him in my view. Not a great performance, but he won. Some ringside observers say that he lost because he stopped fighting and started clowning and doing the Ali's Shuffle after round 6.

But, Weston didn't do much either. What was the point? The result? A draw. It was Benitez's first black mark in his record. Benitez ended his winning streak at 26 fights, and now has a record of 26-0-1, with 18KOs.

The judges scored the fight as followed:
Referee Johnny LoBianco scored it 7-3, Benitez
Judge Harold Lederman scored it, 5-5, draw
And judge Al Reid scored it, 5-5, draw.

All judges were American.

I scored it, 5-3-2 for Benitez.

Just to be clear, winning 5 of 10 rounds is "dominating".

Wilfred Benitez won the fight. He just clowned in the middle of the fight. The judges got angry and gave him the draw.

[Ambling Alp II]

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Ive read a lot about benetiz. Im fairly certain he was 2 years older than he claimed.

[elmersalsa]

El Radar had 5 fights in 1977. The last fight of that year, was a life and death struggle against an unknown from Dallas, TX in a ten-round welterweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The unknown's name? Bruce Curry. A thirteen-fight undefeated novice and future WBC World Jr Welterweight Champion in 1983. He also has a younger brother that box named Donald, an amateur boxer that was scheduled to compete at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow for the United States, but USA boycotted to not participate because of the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan. It turned out years later that Donald became world champion before his older brother earlier in 1983. And had a way better career becoming one of boxing superstars of the 80s decade.

Bruce on the other hand, at 21, was still older than Wilfred Benitez, 19, already a world champion. This was Benitez's first fight testing the welterweight class.

The fight was about even in the first 3 rounds. But, in round 4, a left hook dropped the former Jr Welterweight champ Benitez. He was seriously hurt. Another barrage almost put Benitez out of the ring. Benitez was knocked down twice in that fourth round. It was the very first time that he got decked. After all that storm, Benitez somehow survived the round. He was hurt big time.

In the fifth round, Benitez is dropped again. It's the third knockdown of the fight! What's going on with Benitez? Did he took this fight seriously?

Benitez didn't cleared his head until the seventh round. He survived the infernal onslaught. He started to box and won the last four rounds of the fight.

Benitez good luck was that the fight wasn't scored by a ten-point system, but by rounds. Benitez won by a split decision in rounds in the judges score cards.

The score cards were as follows:
Judge Marty Smith, scored it 7-3 in rounds for Benitez
Referee Arthur Mercante scored it, 5-4-1, in rounds for Curry.
And the other judge, Carol Castellano, a woman, save his ass by scoring 5-4-1 in rounds for El Radar.

Benitez won by a split decision and is still unbeaten in 34 fights.

He improves to 33-0-1, with 23KOs. Curry loses his undefeated record and drops to 13-1, with 7KOs.

A rematch was warranted. It was a scary year for the undefeated young champion in 1977. First he draws with Harlod Weston of New York by clowning and now he almost loses his undefeated record against Curry.

A rematch is inevitable. Benitez wants a rematch although he won. He wasn't satisfied of his performance. Curry definitely wants a rematch. He thought that knocking down El Radar 3 times in a fight was enough to win the fight.