Antonio Cervantes vs. Miguel Montilla (1st meeting)

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Antonio Cervantes 140 lbs beat Miguel Montilla 138 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

"Antonio Cervantes won the vacant world junior welterweight title by pounding out a unanimous decision over the Dominican Republic's Miguel Montilla in 15 rounds at MSG. The pro-Montilla crowd went into hysterics everytime their idol threw a punch, but only in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds did the Dominican launch an effective and sustained attack. Cervantes picked Miguel apart and caught him coming in with combinations. Every punch Cervantes threw seemed to be part of a gigantic script designed to reduce his opponent to a blood-soaked plaything. Montilla was game to the end, but it required a total of 14 stitches to close four cuts on his face." -Ring Magazine, April 1979 issue

  • Only Ring Magazine called this bout for the vacant world junior welterweight title, despite the fact that Cervantes was making the 4th defense of his WBA title. This was due to Wilfredo Benitez, the former champion, moving up to 147 and winning the welterweight title from Carlos Palomino. Only now with the title vacant would the Ring consider filling the void.
  • Unofficial Ring Magazine scorecard - 146-142 Cervantes
  • Unofficial AP scorecard - 145-140 Cervantes

Post-fight comments

  • "I'm proud of the way Montilla fought. He was very tough as I expected. I knew if I wasn't in shape a younger man could beat me, so I was sure to be ready. He's a very smart fighter, a very tough fighter. He didn't lose, I won." -Antonio Cervantes
  • "I figured I could do the most damage by going for his head. But it's just like I said before the fight - he's a great champion. I tried hard for my people. I did everything I could." -Miguel Montilla
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