Joe Brown vs. Orlando Echevarria

Joe Brown 136 lbs beat Orlando Echevarria 136 lbs by KO at 2:50 in round 1 of 10

• Date: 1958-02-26
• Location: Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
• Referee: Johnny Cruz

"In an atmosphere packed with political tension and after spending 72 hours under protective guard from Cuban rebels, Joe Brown, world lightweight champion from New Orleans, calmly fired two crushing rights that disposed of Cuban champion, Orlando Echevarria, in 2:50 Wednesday night. There were no incidents although fears of rebel sabotage held the crowd to an estimated 12,000 - some 6,000 under seating capacity. The two smashing rights were the only requirements the champion had to meet in his non-title bout Wednesday night. The first spilled Echevarria on his haunches for a mandatory eight count. Instead of trying to last out the round, the Cuban came back with a free-swinging attack and ran into the payoff right that dropped him on his back for the full count." -Associated Press

Post fight comment

• "I'm happy about two things. First, of course, the quick victory over Echevarria. Second, being free of the corps of police body-guards who insisted on shadowing me." -Joe Brown