BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Thanks Mr. 'R',

Still taking a look at the last few rounds,,,,,,

UPI had it 'Even' after 8-Rounds,,,,,,,,on the 5-Point 'scoring system' they had it {37-37} 3-3-2 in Rounds.

UPI scored 'Round 9' {5-2} for Ben Villaflor. I guess with '3' knockdowns, that was the 'rule' in a 5-Point
scporing system.

Puts Ben up {42-39} after '9-Rounds'. And he won the '10th-Round' also, giving him a 4-Point edge {47-43}
after '10-Rounds'.

Scoring Officals
* Hawaii
* Philippine
* South Korea

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Ben Villaflor badly damaged his left wrist in Round 9, and could not
follow up on his advantage on a 'groggy' Kyun-Chi Kim as he staggered about in Round 10.

The Champion's left wrist went 'numb' after scoring the '3rd-Knockdown' in Round 9.

As a note,,,,,,,Hyun-Chi Kim was the #10 WBA-ranked Super Featherweight in December 1974, but somehow
leap-frogged up to #1 in the 'February 1975' WBA Ratings......... :??

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... J_g1bvgexQ

Il Duce wrote:Ben Villaflor vs. Hyun-Chi Kim

In Round 13, the young {22 year-old} Champion re-grouped, and started using his right-jab as his
offensive weapon on the arm-weary Challenger. Several sharp jabs opened a cut over Kim's left eye
at the {1:44 Mark}, and the South Korean started to retreat, as Villaflor stalked and whacked away
with glancing right hooks the body.

In Round 14, Villaflor moved forward, unabated by the Challenger's weak counters. With the 26 year-old
Challenger in retreat, Villaflor put in one more 'hard-flurry' using his injured left hand. A crushing left
hook to the jaw staggered Hyun-Chi at the {1:37 Mark} as he wobbled at Center-Ring. The Champion
opened up with a '7-Punch' barrage that sent Hyun-Chi reeling into the ropes as the 15,000 Filipino fans
inside Araneta Coliseum erupt in cheering for the Filipino WBA Champion.

Hyun-Chi covered up on the ropes, as Villaflor pot-shotted the stunned Challenger with short powerful
punches until the Bell sounded.

Il Duce wrote:Correct,

Round 15, with the bout well in hand, Champion Ben Villaflor stayed on the outside and did
not force the action. Fighting cautiously to protect the cut over his left eye, a reddened right
eye and hurting left hand, Villaflor kept his guard high, and offered up sharp right jabs into
the Challenger's bruised and swollen face.

The Challenger - Hyun-Chi Kim did score with a handful of light-punches, but they
had little effect on the well-built Champion who was cruising until the Final Bell.

Scorecards;
* Referee - Walter Minn (Hawaii).........71-67 (Ben Villaflor)
* Judge - Alfedo Quiazon (Philippines)..71-67 (Ben Villaflor)
* Judge - Roy Kim (Korea)..................71-70 (Hyun-Chi Kim)

* UPI................................................70-66 (Ben Villaflor)

Ben Villaflor..........5 - 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 ..... 5 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 ........4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 = {70}
Hyun-Chi Kim........4 - 5 - 4 - 5 - 5 ..... 4 - 5 - 5 - 2 - 4 ....... 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 5 = {66}

Fight Purses,
* Ben Villaflor.........$75,000
* Hyun-Chi Kim.......$25,000

Il Duce wrote:In an article,

Larry Inchonise (Ben's Manager) stated that, Ben caught a thumb to the right eye in Round 11, from a
Hyun-Chi Kin wild left hook.

The punch didn't hurt him, but he saw flashes in his right eye and panicked, thinking that he was
blinded in the right eye. For the 11th and 12th Rounds, he could not see out of the right eye.
It started the clear up in Round 13, but his vision was blurred. With blood in his left eye from
a cut that occured later in Round 11, Ben was fighting nearly blind for '2' Rounds.

'Five' days after this bout (March 18, 1975) Ben required an 'emergency' 5-Hour surgery to restore
vision in the right eye. This injury to the eye would hamper his vision, and effect his performance
in the ring from that point on.

This put the 'hopeful Ben Villaflor - Ray Lunny III Championship Bout - tentatively schdeduled for
May 1975,,,,,,on hold indefinitely.

Il Duce wrote:Ray Lunny III and Sammy Goss fought a couple days later at the Cow Palace in Daly City
on March 1975 for the 'vacant' NABF Super Featherweight Championship, and the right
to face Ben Villaflor.

Ray Lunny III won by a TKO 8, but one of the most highly anticipated bouts in California
for 1975 was not to be. No Villaflor vs Lunny III.

In a shocker announced on April 26, 1975...........

Larry Inchonise (Fight Manager for WBA Super Featherweight Champion - Ben Villaflor) and
Harry Kabakoff (Los Angeles Fight Promoter) discuss plans to stage a Ben Villaflor vs
Danny 'Little Red' Lopez Championship Bout for August or September 1975 at The Olympic.

Harry Kabakoff has the backing of a National Television Network, and this could be the 'biggest'
blockbuster ever seen at The Olympic.

Il Duce wrote:True,

Danny Lopez was coming off '3' losses (Bobby Chacon, Shig Fukuyama and Octavio Gomez) all at Featherweight,
and had just gotten off the 'snide' by crushing (KO 2) former Bantamweight Champion - Chucko Castillo in April 1975.

Seems, the Olympic had some 'open dates' to fill in August and September 1975, and Harry Kabakoff was going
to promote one more bout for Danny Lopez in July 1975, and then set up Villaflor - Lopez for late-August
or September 13, 1975.

Would have been a disaster for Danny.......

In May 1975, the Eye Doctor told Ben Villaflor (no sparring) for 3-months. That was the end of Villaflor - Lopez, and
a still possible Villaflor - Lunny III bout.

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Rover,,,,,,,

That is pretty funny,,,,,,,,,,,,Chucko The Clown......

Il Duce wrote:May 30, 1975

'WBA' Super Featherweight Rankings

** WBA Champion - Ben Villaflor
** WBC Champion - Kuniaki Shibata

#1.. Samuel Serrano
#2.. Sven-Erik Paulsen
#3.. Rigoberto Riasco
#4.. Tyrone Everett
#5.. Hugo Barazza
#6.. Ray Lunny III
#7.. Antonio Puddo
#8.. Ramiro Bolanos
#9.. Ould Makloufi
#10 Alfredo Escalera

Il Duce wrote:WBA (Panama Based)

Remember, Luis Spada (Manager) for Rigoberto Riasco - did the WBA a favor by fighting
Alexis in Nicaragua when they couldn't get any other fighters to agree to challenge
'El Flacco' in his home country for the WBA Featherweight Championship.

These ratings were before the May 31, 1975 bout between Alexis Arguello - Rigoberto Riasco
took place.

I think Rigoberto was ranked back in the WBA Featherweight Division afer the Alexis Arguello bout.

Odd, he was the Panamanian Featherweight Champion at the time, but the WBA had him ranked
in the 130 lb. Division..... :>

Il Duce wrote:May 1975 WBA Ratings

** WBA Champion - Alexis Arguello
** WBA Champion - Bobby Chacon

#1.. David Kotey (Ghana)
#2.. Ruben Olivares (Mexico)
#3.. Vicente Blanco (Nicaragua)
#4.. Royal Kobayashi (Japan)
#5.. Antonio Gomez (Venezuela)
#6.. Art Hafey (Nova Scotia)
#7.. Elio Cotena (Italy)
#8.. Leonel Hernandez (Venezuela)
#9.. Fel Clemente (Philippines)
#10 Sanjo (Japan)

As you could see, nobody wanted to go into Nicaragua to be slain,,,,,,,,,,,

#1 - David Kotey was waiting for the WBC Title Challenge, getting the winner of the
* WBC Champion Bobby Chacon - #2 Ruben Olivares Championship Bout.

#3 - Vicente Blanco was from Nicaragua, so that wouldn't work.
#4 - Royal Kobayasi would only fight Alexis in Japan, where the big 'Yen' money was
#5 - Antonio Gomez wasn't interested in fighting Alexis, and passed up the Title offer.
#6 - Art Hafey wasn't going back to Nicaragua for another beating
#7 - The EBU wouldn't allow Elio Cotena to fight Alexis in Nicaragua
#8 - Leonel Hernandez was already stopped by Alexis in his first title defense
#9 - Fel Clemente just started out, and though he was the OPBF Champion, his Manager said 'No Thanks'
#10 - Sanjo from Japan, another who only wanted the bout in Japan.

Il Duce wrote:I believe 'Sanjo' was Shigefumi Fukuyama.........

When Ben Villaflor was ready to resume training in August 1975,

Larry Inchonise signed Ben Villaflor to fight former 'Two-Time' Champion Kuniaki Shibata for
a 'third time', and in Japan.

They signed contracts on August 29, 1975 - and with a provision that the winner would have to
face #1 WBA-ranked Samuel Serrano within 60-Days after the proposed October 16, 1975 bout.

Kuniaki Shibata had just been knocked out (L KO 2) by Alfredo Escalera, losing his WBC
Super Featherweight Championship in Japan, on

Things looked like a 'go', but on September 24, 1975 - Kuniaki Shibata 'pulled out' claiming
he wasn't in shape, and would require more time to get ready. The October 16, 1975
bout was cancelled.

Il Duce wrote:What happened, is Kuniaki Shibaa wanted more time,,,,,

But the Japanese Promotion Team (Noguchi Promotions) had the date all set for broadcast, and
also they were offering Ben Villaflor a large fight purse ($100,000 plus).

They moved the date back to November 3, 1975 - but Kuniaki Shibata was having problems with
his Manager (Kenji Yonekura), and stalled for more time while his managerial contract expired.

As a replacement, Morito Kashiwaba was installed, with a new date set for November 20, 1975.

While this was happening, Larry Inchonise was negotiating with Jose 'Pepito' Cordero in Puerto Rico
to bring Ben Villaflor there for a November 29, 1976 bout, against #1 WBA-ranked Samuel Serrano.

On November 16, 1975 - Ben Villaflor pulled out of the Puerto Rico bout, citing 'eye problems', which
led Jose 'Pepito' Cordero to say that, "Ben Villaflor may never fight again, he has a reoccuring eye
problem, and may never pass a Boxing Commission eye test."

Yes, Ben Villaflor had a serious eye problem in the right 'view finder'.

Il Duce wrote:Yes,,,,,,,

Seems that 'Pepito Cordero' was dumping alot of money on Ben Villaflor to get him
to Puerto Rico in November 1975.

But, Larry Inchonise was looking for 'one more' easy payday for his Champion.

That is when the Japanese Money came in, for the early 1976 bout with
Morito Kashiwaba (Noguchi Promotions had a lot of 'YEN')

In the meantime, Ray Lunny III and Tyrone Everett were set to battle in an
Elimination bout, in an effort to make a play for the WBA Championship as well.

Samuel Serrano, despite being the #1 WBA Super Featherweight and having a
well-connected Fight Promoter had to wait patiently.

Il Duce wrote:The contract was finally sealed on December 29, 1975

Larry Inchonise got $125,000 for Ben Villaflor to fight Morito Kashiwaba on January 12, 1976
at the Korakeun Hall in Japan.

That is Roberto Duran-type money back then.

Morito Kashiwaba, the OPBF Lightweight Champion, and a decent Asian fighter, who went 6-Rounds
with WBC Super Featherweight Champion - Ricardo Arrendondo back in July 1971.

The WBA 'mandated' the winner fight Samuel Serrano within 90-Days.

Serrano accepted ($25,000) step-aside money from the Japanese Promoters...... DD

Il Duce wrote:Monday Night - January 12, 1976

Korakeun Hall - Japan
Capacity 2000 (Attendance; 2005)

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

*WBA Champion - Ben Villaflor ~ 54-5-5 (31 KO's) ~ Age; 23 years, 2 months ~ Weight; 128 lbs.
vs.
#8 WBA Challenger - Morito Kashiwaba ~ 23-4-1 (16 KO's) ~ Age; 24 years, 7 months ~ Weight; 130 lbs.

(AP Report)

'VILLAFLOR KO'S JAPANS KASHIWABA IN 13TH'

WBA Super Featherweight Champion - Ben Villaflor a Filipino living in Hawaii successfully defended
his Championship a '4th-Time' by scoring a TKO 13 over Japanese Challenger - Morito Kashiwaba.

The southpaw Champion wasted little time early, as he floored the Challenger in Round 2 with punishing
rights and lefts to the head. Villaflor kept up his attack in Round 3, and again dropped Kashiwaba with
a series of punches.

But, the Challenger remained tough - despite getting pounded with hard punches from the Champion
throughout the middle Rounds. The Champion scored with repeated right jabs to the face of Kashiwaba,
as he had injured his powerful left hand during a hard attack.

In Round 13, the Champion landed several hard punches that had the Challenger reeling along the ropes,
and several short left uppercuts had Kashiwana defenselss. Referee - Carlos Padilla saved the Japanese
Challenger from further punishment at {1:29} of Round 13.

Scorecards;
* Carlos Padilla....
* Takeo Ugo
* Leslie Nakashima

Il Duce wrote:Yes I did,,,,

You,re moving to fast,,,,,,,,scroll back 1 post,,,,,,,, :>

Il Duce wrote:Ben Villaflor vs. Samuel Serrano I,

Was supposed to be in Puerto Rico, but it was changed back to the Hawaii venue.

The 'skinny' was that Ben had a vision problem in his right eye, and his left hand
was 'giving him problems'.

There were rumblings about a possible Roberto Duran vs. Ben Villaflor bout, but
those discussions went nowhere.

The bout with Samuel Serrano was scheduled for April 13, 1976 - and Larry Inchonise
said that it would be Ben's last fight. He was only 23 years, 5 months old...

Il Duce wrote:'Tale of the Tape'

*WBA Champion - Ben Villaflor ~ 55-5-5 (32 KO's) ~ Age; 23 years, 5 months ~ Height; 5' 6" ~ Reach; 67"
vs.
#1 WBA Challenger - Samuel Serrano ~ 29-3-0 (7 KO's) ~ Age; 23 years, 5 months ~ Height; 5' 10" ~ Reach; 74"

Ben Villaflor is placed as 'heavy' Betting-Favorite at {3-1} over the 'tall and lanky' boxer from Puerto Rico, in
his '5th' Title Defense.

But, the Champion has been suffering from constant pain in his left hand, and a re-occuring vision problem
with his right eye. This could be the last time he enters the Ring. This will be the 'tallest' and most clever
opponent that the Champion has ever faced.

Serrano, who has been the #1 WBA-ranked Challenger since early-1975, finally gets his chance after several
delays and postponements. The 'slick' boxing Serrano has a 'long and quick' left jab, and an elusive style
which can pester even the best aggressive fighters like the Champion. With his height, he also likes to whip
in right uppercuts from long range when his opponent has slowed down. Far from a 'power-puncher',
Serrano is at his best when he scores with multiple left jabs, and then clinches and holds when his opponent
charges in close.

Samuel, who goes by the nickname of 'El Torbellino', and as a 6-Year Professional, has scored Decisions
over Top-Rated fighters including; - Diego Alcala - Lorenzo Trujillo - Ezequiel Sanchez - Victor Echegaray.
And he fought and lost a 'highly questionable' Split-Decision to the 'Great' - Ernesto Marcel in Panama back in
1973.

Il Duce wrote:Tuesady Night - April 13, 1976

Blaisdell Center - Honolulu, Hawaii

'VILLAFLOR HAS TITLE BY A DRAW'
'TITLE FIGHT ENDS IN DRAW'
'VILLAFLOR CHASES CHALLENGER, BOUT ENDS IN DRAW'

WBA Super Featherweight Champion put together a strong rally in the last '3-Rounds'
to save his Championship by a 'Split-Decision Draw'.

After suffering a cut eye in Round 13, the powerfully built Champion put together a
strong charge, by landing powerful rights and lefts on a fleeing Challenger - Samuel
Serrano in Rounds 13, 14 and 15.

The 'whispy looking' Serrano, built up an early lead by using 'hit-and-run' tactics which
befuddled the southpaw Champion. The 23 year-old Challenger fought a smart fight,
and was guided by Trainer - Angelo Dundee who was brought to the fight by Serrano's
Manager - Jose Cordero.

In the middle Rounds, the stocky Filipino stalked and chased, while the Challenger from
Puerto Rico stayed with jabbing-and-dancing. The Champion's Trainer - Tony Rodrigues
instructed the Champion that he was behind after 12-Rounds, and that he needed all
'3' remaining Rounds to save the Championship. The Champion Villaflor obliged, and
fought at his best after suffering a cut over his right-eye early in Round 13.

In Rounds 14 and 15, the Champion battered the Challenger with rights and lefts while,
Serrano tried to dance away in an attempt to protect his earler-built lead.

Scorecards;
* Referee - Walter Minn.........70-70 (5-5-5 in Rounds) 'Even'
* Judge - Walter Cho.............73-69 (6-2-7 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor
* Judge - Tamatus Tomihara...72-67 (8-3-4 in Rounds) Samuel Serrano

Tony Rodrigues; 'The guy ran all day. All he did was hit and run. Tap-tap and run. That is
no way to fight. He must not be very popular in Puerto Rico.'

Larry Inchonise, 'Ben was cut over the right eye in the 13th Round. That eye was
repaired for a detached retina last year. Ben said he was not affected by the cut,
and that his only problem was that Serrano would not stand and fight. He said he
was going to fight like Muhammad Ali by dancing and jabbing. Well he did, but
he was terrible to watch.'

Angelo Dundee, 'I have no idea of what Walter Cho was looking at. He must have had 'one-eye'
closed and the other 'eye' on Villaflor. Sammy fought a smart fight, and one-day he will be a
Champion. These are the breaks.'

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 6oOuNausrQ

Il Duce wrote:As much as I am a Ben Villaflor fan,,,,,,,,,,

Walter Cho had no idea of how to score that bout, and he should have been
suspended from every officiating in a World Championship Bout again.

Samuel Serrano did get off to a 'brisk' start and pecked away, as Ben stalked
but threw and landed very few punches.

Serrano did his best imitation of a Muhammad Ali 'dance-and jab' routine during
Rounds 4 thru 7.

Ben was pressing, and trying to throw one-punch straight lands, but to no
avail.

The pace got a little slow in Rounds 8 thru 10, as Serrano refused to get
in close, and would not trade with the powerful Champion.

Ben started to close the gap in Rounds 11 and 12, and did slam a few body
punches at Serrano's skinny body. But, Serrano still jabbed and danced out
of harms way.

In Round 13, Ben tried to attack, and got caught by a slashing left hand that
opend up a over his right eye. This seemed to spur Villaflor on, and he made
his charge by rushing in close, and trapping Serrano. There, he unloaded
some good left uppercuts on the taller Challenger.

In Rounds 14 and 15, Ben attacked like an 'Hawaiian Express', and raked
Serrano with a barrage of rights-and-lefts - pounding Serrano's body with
battering-rams.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard bout to score, as Serrano went into a 'four-corner-stall' in Rounds 8, 9
and 10 - and did 'zero' punching. Ben stalked, but could not land any effective
punches as Serrano stayed at a safe distance.

Rounds 11 and 12, Serrano landed a few more punches, but they had 'zero'
zip behind them. Villaflor did land a handful of good body punches in these
Rounds, but nothing that damaged Serrano.

Il Duce wrote:The Honolulu Register posted the 'round-by-round' scores a few days later.
when there was a 'back-lash' about the scorecards.

Referee - Walter Minn
Ben Viilaflor.............. 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 4 ..... 4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 ..... 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 == {70}
Samuel Serrano........ 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 ..... 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 ..... 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 == {70}

Judge - Walter Cho
Ben Villaflor..............5 - 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 ..... 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 .......5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 == {73}
Samuel Serrano........ 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 ..... 5 - 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 ...... 4 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 4 == {69}

Judge - Tamatsu Tomihara
Ben Villaflor.............. 5 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 .... 4 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 5 ....... 5 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 == {67}
Samuel Serrano......... 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 ... 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 ........ 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 4 == {72}

Il Duce wrote:The Honolulu Register,

Did rip Walter Cho for an 'inappropriate scorecard', and failed to award the Challenger
Samuel Serrano points for 'skillful' boxing in Rounds 3, 6 and 7.

Also debated were Rounds 9 and 10 - as the Champion pressed, but did not land any
effective punhces as the Puerto Rican Challenger circled the ring while flicking jabs
and moving. These should have been scored 'Even' Rounds.

Il Duce wrote:Mr. R.

Scroll back up, I posted the UPI and Honolulu Register results.

In May 1976, the WBA Championship Committee reviewed the bout, and determined
that there was an 'obvious' biased scoring by Judge - Walter Cho.

The Committee came to a conclusion that it was a 'Bad Decision'.

WBA President 'mandated' a rematch within 60-Days - to be set by July 30, 1976 -
and on a 'neutral-site.

Purse Bids were accepted, with the Champion to receive {75%} and the Challenger {25%}.

Larry Inchonise asked the WBA if Ben Villaflor could make a 'Title Defense' against Ray Lunny III
first (June 1976), because there was alot of money being thrown at them ($125,000) from
the Northern California Promoter (Joe Gagliardi).

Il Duce wrote:As the per the Honolulu Register,,,,,

Samuel Serrano and his Camp wanted $25,000 (step aside money), to allow Ben Villaflor fight Ray Lunny III
in mid-1976 - but with a clause that the 'winner' must fight Serrano within 60-Days 'and' in Puerto Rico.

Larry Inchonise agreed to the terms.

But, WBA President 'Bill Brennan' stipulated the following terms;

A) First - Ray Lunny III (who lost his previous bout) - had to defeat a ranked Super Featherweight, before
the WBA would sanction a Championship Title bout with Ben Villaflor.

B) Ray Lunny III would have to agree to defend the WBA Super Featherweight Championship in Puerto Rico
if he did defeat Ben Villaflor.

C) If none of these terms were agreed to, the WBA would vacate the Super Featherweight Championship,
and #1 WBA - Samuel Serrano would face the next available WBA ranked contender for the 'vacant'
Championship.

Il Duce wrote:Boxing Politics,,,,,,,,,,

There was no WBA Top 10 Super Featherweight 'readily available' to fight Ray Lunny III in June 1976 -

So - Las Vegas 'Strip Fighter', and capable Lightweight - Rogelio Castaneda 18-2-1 {6 KO's) who also
just happened to be the #10 WBA Lightweight - was offered the role to go out to Northern California
to be the opponent for Ray Lunny III on June 17, 1976

But, Rogelio Castaneda 'failed to read the script', and gave Ray Lunny III a hell-of-a-fight in his
own backyard in San Carlos, California.

Ray Lunny III won a 'highly unpopular' 10-Round Spilt-Decision, but the win got him ranked in both
the WBA and WBC Super Featherweight Division, despite the bout being fought as at Lightweight.

Following that bout, Promoter Joe Gagliardi was supposed to put up a $125,000 'guaranteee' as the
fight purse for the Ben Villaflor vs. Ray Lunny III bout - which was to be scheduled for August 1976.
Also, $25,000 was supposed to be put in an 'Escrow Account' for Samuel Serrano.