Esteban DeJesus vs. Guts Ishimatsu

Esteban De Jesus 134 lbs beat Guts Ishimatsu 135 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

• Date: 1976-05-08
• Location: Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
• Referee: Harry Gibbs 149-139
• Judge: Jose Juan Guerra 150-137
• Judge: Rudy Ortega 150-135

"Esteban DeJesus captured the WBC lightweight championship Saturday in a lackluster 15 round battle with Japan's Guts Ishimatsu. The victor kept Ishimatsu at bay by battering his face with jabs and avoiding the Jaoanese's heavier punching power. DeJesus' best round came in the 7th when he slammed a furious combination of punches with both hands at Ishimatsu's face and body, opening a cut on the lower lip." -United Press International

Post fight comments

• "On two occasions his head hit my face. This was the only thing I felt, because the few punches he threw did nothing." -Esteban DeJesus

• "DeJesus was fast from the beginning and was a difficult target for my strong right. The only thing I hope is to regain the crown, be it with DeJesus again or with anybody else who takes the title from him." -Guts Ishimatsu