BoxRec

On March 6th, 1976 in Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wilfred Benitez, a teenager with only 17 years of age, becomes the youngest world champion in boxing history by defeating a great champion Antonio Cervantes of Colombia by split decision.

It was one of boxing's greatest upsets of all-time. A boy beat a grown man with a great display of boxing skills, taking the WBA World Jr Welterweight title from a 29-year old man.

In front of his classmates in attendance, the boy became champ.

It is still an unbelievable accomplishment. Cervantes was an extremely good fighter with excellent wins both before and after his loss to Benitez. Legalities aside, it is hard to imagine that accomplishment ever being matched or bettered. The idea of someone aged 17 years and 6 months winning a world championship, even during the 4 belt era is just so outrageous. To me the idea of it happening against an IBO champ who isn't good enough to win one of the major 4 is still so insane.

Unfortunately, the ending is just about as sad as it can get in boxing. The fighters who take up boxing at really young ages seem to be worse off down the line than the guys like Foreman who take it up at as an adult. Talented teens often end up sparring grown men, they may better boxer in the ring but they can still be taking punches from a grown man. Benitez is probably the most extreme case of a teen taking punches from grown men.

A great accomplishment, no doubt. Wilfred Benitez was just a boy beating a grown man at 29 years old and in his complete prime is amazing. He was only 17!

A SD was ridiculous. I had Benitez winning by 147-141