Robert Escalante

Name: Robert Escalante
Birth Name: Robert Lee Escalante
Hometown: Seguin, Texas, USA
Birthplace: Lockhart, Texas, USA
Died: 2021-08-11 (Age:68)
Pro Boxer: Record
Amateur Boxer: Record

Robert Escalante was an amateur boxer from Seguin, Texas, USA. (Seguin lies 35 miles to the east of San Antonio, and about 60 miles south of Austin, in South Central Texas.) He began his amateur career under the tutelage of former professional boxer Rocky Contreras.

In his debut at the Texas State Golden Gloves Tournament, Escalante was KO'd in the first round. He later returned to twice become the State Champion.

He was banned from amateur boxing for a short time during 1974-75, because he was alleged to have fought as a professional. After an investigation showed doubts that he was the pro fighter of the same name, his amateur status was again recognized. It is likely however that he did indeed have a single pro fight in 1973 in Sprinfield, Missouri, in which the local New-Leader reported him as Robert Escalante of Fort Worth, making his pro debut.

In his amateur comeback, to defend his Fort Worth Golden Gloves title, Escalante lost to Ronnie Adams, who himself would also be re-established as an amateur after being accused of being a pro.

Escalante aspired to one day turn professional. However, around 1981, he was pulled over in Seguin for a minor traffic violation. It escalated into a scuffle with several police officers who allegedly beat him severely. Because of the injuries he suffered, his boxing career was over.