When mentioning great Puerto Rican boxers, almost immediately most boxing fans will go to Wilfredo Gomez, Felix Trinidad, and Wilfred Benitez. However, before all of them came Carlos Ortiz, who didn't have the dynamite punches of Gomez or Trinidad nor the record setting early age success of Benitez, but instead more than made up for those setbacks with solid boxing ability and a host of wins over high level competition.
After compiling an undefeated streak of 24 wins, Ortiz burst onto the boxing scene in 1958 with his first big wins. In this year he defeated top lightweight Joey Lopes, and after a controversial loss with top ten rated Johnny Busso defeated him more decisively in an immediate rematch. Ortiz would then face off against highly rated Dave Charnley, who would go on to have the Fight of the Year with Lightweight champ Joe Brown. In his final fight of 1958 Ortiz would drop a close decision against future chellenger Kenny Lane.
After a quick match against Len Matthews, Ortiz would face off against Lane again, but this time to decide who the best 140lb fighter was in the world. Now with a vacant title on the line, Ortiz surged early, dropping Lane in the 2nd and forcing the cut stoppage.
In his first and one of his only defenses of his Junior Welterweight belt, Ortiz would face off against Mexico's 31-0 Battling Torres, who was one of the 5 best Lightweights in the world. Despite being shocked by a clean left hook mid way through the fight, Ortiz fought back and got knockout in round 10.
His 2nd and last defense came against the talented HOF Italian Duilio Loi, who came into the fight with a shocking 102-1 record. In a very difficult fight, Ortiz was able to get away with a close but fair 15 round decision. However, Ortiz would lose to Loi in an immediate rematch in Italy, and after a decision win over top ten rated Cisco Andrade would again unsuccessfully win back the Junior Welterweight crown. Loi would go on to retire as Junior Welterweight champ after beating HOF fighter Eddie Perkins.
Instead Ortiz set his sights on Joe Brown, the lightweight champion. After two solid decision wins over top lightweights Douglas Vaillant and Paolo Rosi, Ortiz would get his first Lightweight title shot. Ortiz swarmed the HOF lightweight from the opening bell, cutting Brown early and sweeping a clear decision win.
After decisioning top ten rated Arthur Persley in his spare time, Ortiz's first title defense would come in Japan against another top ten rated lightweight, Teruo Kosaka, who he knocked out in 5 rounds.
Ortiz would next defend his title with a rematch against Douglas Vaillant, who had risen in the ranks with a win over Douglas Charnley and a controversial fight against highly rated Bunny Grant. Ortiz would bounce Vaillant off the ground 5 times in route to a 13th round TKO.
The next challenger for Ortiz's title was the HOF Filipino Super Featherweight champ, Flash Elorde. Ortiz would go to the Phillipines and get a hard earned 14th round stoppage against Elorde, who was against the ropes eating combinations.
In a rubber match, Ortiz defended against old enemy Kenny Lane, who had quickly risen to the 2nd best lightweight in the world with a winning streak including a win over future light welterweight puncher Carlos Hernandez. Ortiz would settle the score with a decisive 15 round decision, dropping Lane in the 14th round.
Up next was the tough Panamanian HOF fighter Ismael Laguna, and after 15 rounds of high level fighting Ortiz would lose a close decision against Laguna in Panama. Ortiz would immediately win back his lightweight title in an immediate rematch against Laguna, this time winning a decision in Puerto Rico.
No stranger to traveling to his opponent's hometown, Ortiz briefly moved back up to 140lbs to take on the HOF defensive expert Nicolino Locche in Argentina. After a short 10 rounds, Ortiz was only rewarded a draw, despite Locche's swollen face and boos from the crowd.
In his next fight Ortiz would face off against Johnny Bizzaro, who had been the #1 contender at 130lbs but was unable to get a rematch with Elorde. Leading on all cards, Ortiz would drop Bizzaro in the 12th and force the stoppage.
Ortiz would then travel on to Mexico, where he would face off against Cuban HOF boxer and former featherweight champ Sugar Ramos, where after a controversial long count in the 2nd Ortiz would get back up to stop Ramos on cuts in the 5th round, again drawing controversy regarding the referee, causing the WBC title to not sanction Ortiz's rematch against Elorde in his next fight. Ortiz would again stop Elorde in the 14th round in the rematch, this time by KO.
Ortiz finished the job in the rematch against Ramos, dropping him in the 4th round and finishing the job, gaining back the WBC belt and erasing any doubt regarding their first fight.
In his last successful title defense at Lightweight, Ortiz would finish off his trilogy against Ismael Laguna, decisioning him over 15 rounds and keeping his title. Laguna would go on to beat Mando Ramos and Guts Ishimatsu when he regained the lightweight title in 1970.
Ortiz would go to Dominican Republic to again fight in his opponents backyard against Carlos Cruz, where he dropped a controversial 15 round split decision after being dropped in the first round. Cruz would die in a plane crash later, and Ortiz would not get another title shot again. After some time off and a short comeback in 1972, Carlos would retire after being beaten by HOF boxer Ken Buchanan.
Ortiz continually went to his opponents backyard to fight, and in a few cases it might have cost him a meaningful victory, as against Nicolino Locche. But his bravery, overall skill and amazing level of competition puts him highly amongst ATG lightweights and makes him possibly the greatest Puerto Rican fighter of all time.
Notable wins:
Joey Lopes
Johnny Busso
Dave Charnley
Kenny Lane
Battling Torres
Duilio Loi
Cisco Andrade
Douglas Vaillant
Paolo Rosi
Joe Brown
Arthur Persley
Teruo Kosaka
Douglas Vaillant
Flash Elorde
Kenny Lane
Ismael Laguna
Nicolino Locche(robbery)
Johnny Bizzaro
Sugar Ramos
Flash Elorde
Sugar Ramos
Ismael Laguna
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Career accomplishments of Pernell Whitaker
Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker is arguably the greatest southpaw in the history of boxing. His combination of amazing defense, a nearly unparalleled jab, and an overall very complete and faultless style made him nearly impossible to beat during his prime.
Whitaker's first notable win was no walk in the park, as he went against former super featherweight champ Roger Mayweather. Whitaker went into this fight looking for the kill from the get go, which was unusual to his style, and almost finished the fight in the 1st round after knocking Mayweather down. However, the talented Mayweather survived and was able to drop and hurt a reckless Whitaker in the 9th round with his deadly right hand. Despite this setback, Whitaker continued to punish Mayweather and won a clear decision over 12 rounds. Roger would go on to become champ at 140lbs that same year.
After stopping Miguel Santana, Whitaker got his first title shot against WBC lightweight champ Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker would also suffer the first robbery of his career, as he clearly outboxed Ramirez despite being pressured.
After this unjustice, Whitaker quickly sought a fight with the IBF lightweight champ, Greg Haugen, who was coming off of wins over Gert Jacobson and Vinny Pazienza. Whitaker dominated the tough but outmatched Haugen and dropped him with a counter left hand mid way through the fight, but settled for the decision win after a flawless showing. Haugen would go on to win the WBO strap at 140lbs.
Whitaker's first title defense came against top ten Louie Lomeli. Whitaker scored a perfect left hand counter shot with his back against the ropes, flattening Lomeli and leading to the stoppage.
Before closing up 1989, Whitaker sought a rematch against Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker avenged his earlier 'loss' by a lopsided 12 round decision, in one of his finest defensive displays of his career.
Next up was Freddie Pendleton, who was rated as one of the top 5 lightweights in the world. Despite Pendleton's deceiving record, he gave Whitaker more trouble than previous opponents Haugen and Ramirez, but Whitaker still decisioned him without much trouble. Pendleton would go on to win the IBF lightweight strap with a decision win over the highly regarded Tracy Spann.
In his next title defense Whitaker was matched against The Great Professor, ATG Azumah Nelson. Nelson was incredibly tenacious and constantly pressured Whitaker, but Whitaker was able to get off his punches too quickly and subdue Nelson with combinations and body shots. Whitaker didn't have any easy night, but he walked away with the clear and impressive win.
Whitaker then unified with WBA lightweight champ Juan Nazario, who was fresh off the fading but still very capable HOF puncher Edwin Rosario. Showing his underrated power, Whitaker took out Nazario with a perfect straight left in the very 1st round.
Whitaker then finished cleaning out the division by beating European champ Policarpo Diaz with a painful body attack, and then lopsidedly outlanding Kronk Gym's Anthony Jones in route to a 12 round decision.
In Whitaker's final title defense at Lightweight, Whitaker took "El Maromero", the erratic and difficult former featherweight champ Jorge Paez. Paez had emerged onto the Lightweight scene with a decision win over Tracy Spann, who was considered by many to be the second best lightweight in the world behind Whitaker. Paez's herky jerky style threw Whitaker off his game for a bit, but without too much trouble Whitaker succeed again with a 12 round decision.
Whitaker then had wins over almost every top fighter at Lightweight, and decided to move up in weight. After easily beating IBF Light Welterweight champ Rafael Pineda, Whitaker went up against the highly regarded James 'Buddy' McGirt, who was fresh off a string of impressive performances against Genaro Leon, Patrizio Oliva and most importantly Simon Brown. McGirt gave Whitaker a difficult night, but ultimately Whitaker's versatility paid off and he was awarded the close but clear decision.
Then Whitaker faced off against the pound for pound best fighter in the world, the legendary 87-0 Julio Cesar Chavez. Unfortunately, Whitaker was robbed of his greatest victory when the judges announced that the fight was a draw. Chavez had fought well, but there was no doubt that Whitaker should have that won. Realistically, this was Whitaker's best win, and possibly the best single win since the 80s.
After a paintjob against Santos Cardona, Whitaker then rematched McGirt and won again more decisively by decision. Having twice beaten the best Welterweight in the world and the pound for pound best, Whitaker decided to briefly move up in weight again to take on WBA light middleweight champ Julio Cesar Vasquez, who was the best 154lb fighter in the world and had only lost once by disqualification. Whitaker won by decision, and moved back down to continue defending his Welterweight belt. Vasquez would win back the WBA strap later that year, and going into the Whitaker match had defended the belt 10 times, including a win over future light middleweight king Ronald 'Winky' Wright.
After an unremarkable title defense against Gary Jacobs, Whitaker would KO southpaw Jake Rodriquez, a top fighter at 140lbs. At this point in his career Whitaker started to slow down and wasn't in his prime condition, as evidence in his next controversial fight against top ten rated Wilfredo Rivera. Whitaker would immediately rematch and beat Rivera more decisively, but it was clear that Whitaker wasn't the same fighter that he was a few years back.
Another scare came in Whitaker's next fight against the rangy Cuban Diosbelys Hurtado. Whitaker would fall behind on the scorecards after being dropped mostly unhurt in the 1st and 6th rounds, but would show his hidden punching power by brutally KOing Hurtado in the 11th round, with Hurtado draped over the ropes.
3 months later Whitaker was back in the ring against the rising, prime and undefeated Oscar De La Hoya, who already had success at 130, 135, and 140lbs. In a controversial and close fight, Whitaker lost his welterweight crown. Many people have either man winning, so I like to look it as a draw, which is how I personally scored it anyways, which is almost like a win considering Whitaker's condition.
This was the last true meaningful fight of Whitaker's very successful career. In his next fight he tested positive for cocaine and ruled a NC, and then he dropped a decision to welterweight destroyer Felix Trinidad, despite hurting Trinidad briefly during the fight. In his final fight against Carlos Bojorquez, Whitaker broke his left clavicle and retired from boxing.
Whitaker's overall prowess in any fighting situation and his oustanding defense helped give him some of the most impressive wins of the last 30 years. At his best there were very few fighters that stood a chance of beating him, and the quality of his wins make him one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Notable wins:
Roger Mayweather
Jose Luis Ramirez(robbery)
Greg Haugen
Louie Lomeli
Jose Luis Ramirez
Freddie Pendleton
Azumah Nelson
Juan Nazario
Policarpo Diaz
Anthony Jones
Jorge Paez
Rafael Pineda
James McGirt
Julio Cesar Chavez(robbery)
James McGirt
Julio Cesar Vasquez
Jake Rodriquez
Wilfredo Rivera
Draw vs Oscar De La Hoya
Whitaker's first notable win was no walk in the park, as he went against former super featherweight champ Roger Mayweather. Whitaker went into this fight looking for the kill from the get go, which was unusual to his style, and almost finished the fight in the 1st round after knocking Mayweather down. However, the talented Mayweather survived and was able to drop and hurt a reckless Whitaker in the 9th round with his deadly right hand. Despite this setback, Whitaker continued to punish Mayweather and won a clear decision over 12 rounds. Roger would go on to become champ at 140lbs that same year.
After stopping Miguel Santana, Whitaker got his first title shot against WBC lightweight champ Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker would also suffer the first robbery of his career, as he clearly outboxed Ramirez despite being pressured.
After this unjustice, Whitaker quickly sought a fight with the IBF lightweight champ, Greg Haugen, who was coming off of wins over Gert Jacobson and Vinny Pazienza. Whitaker dominated the tough but outmatched Haugen and dropped him with a counter left hand mid way through the fight, but settled for the decision win after a flawless showing. Haugen would go on to win the WBO strap at 140lbs.
Whitaker's first title defense came against top ten Louie Lomeli. Whitaker scored a perfect left hand counter shot with his back against the ropes, flattening Lomeli and leading to the stoppage.
Before closing up 1989, Whitaker sought a rematch against Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker avenged his earlier 'loss' by a lopsided 12 round decision, in one of his finest defensive displays of his career.
Next up was Freddie Pendleton, who was rated as one of the top 5 lightweights in the world. Despite Pendleton's deceiving record, he gave Whitaker more trouble than previous opponents Haugen and Ramirez, but Whitaker still decisioned him without much trouble. Pendleton would go on to win the IBF lightweight strap with a decision win over the highly regarded Tracy Spann.
In his next title defense Whitaker was matched against The Great Professor, ATG Azumah Nelson. Nelson was incredibly tenacious and constantly pressured Whitaker, but Whitaker was able to get off his punches too quickly and subdue Nelson with combinations and body shots. Whitaker didn't have any easy night, but he walked away with the clear and impressive win.
Whitaker then unified with WBA lightweight champ Juan Nazario, who was fresh off the fading but still very capable HOF puncher Edwin Rosario. Showing his underrated power, Whitaker took out Nazario with a perfect straight left in the very 1st round.
Whitaker then finished cleaning out the division by beating European champ Policarpo Diaz with a painful body attack, and then lopsidedly outlanding Kronk Gym's Anthony Jones in route to a 12 round decision.
In Whitaker's final title defense at Lightweight, Whitaker took "El Maromero", the erratic and difficult former featherweight champ Jorge Paez. Paez had emerged onto the Lightweight scene with a decision win over Tracy Spann, who was considered by many to be the second best lightweight in the world behind Whitaker. Paez's herky jerky style threw Whitaker off his game for a bit, but without too much trouble Whitaker succeed again with a 12 round decision.
Whitaker then had wins over almost every top fighter at Lightweight, and decided to move up in weight. After easily beating IBF Light Welterweight champ Rafael Pineda, Whitaker went up against the highly regarded James 'Buddy' McGirt, who was fresh off a string of impressive performances against Genaro Leon, Patrizio Oliva and most importantly Simon Brown. McGirt gave Whitaker a difficult night, but ultimately Whitaker's versatility paid off and he was awarded the close but clear decision.
Then Whitaker faced off against the pound for pound best fighter in the world, the legendary 87-0 Julio Cesar Chavez. Unfortunately, Whitaker was robbed of his greatest victory when the judges announced that the fight was a draw. Chavez had fought well, but there was no doubt that Whitaker should have that won. Realistically, this was Whitaker's best win, and possibly the best single win since the 80s.
After a paintjob against Santos Cardona, Whitaker then rematched McGirt and won again more decisively by decision. Having twice beaten the best Welterweight in the world and the pound for pound best, Whitaker decided to briefly move up in weight again to take on WBA light middleweight champ Julio Cesar Vasquez, who was the best 154lb fighter in the world and had only lost once by disqualification. Whitaker won by decision, and moved back down to continue defending his Welterweight belt. Vasquez would win back the WBA strap later that year, and going into the Whitaker match had defended the belt 10 times, including a win over future light middleweight king Ronald 'Winky' Wright.
After an unremarkable title defense against Gary Jacobs, Whitaker would KO southpaw Jake Rodriquez, a top fighter at 140lbs. At this point in his career Whitaker started to slow down and wasn't in his prime condition, as evidence in his next controversial fight against top ten rated Wilfredo Rivera. Whitaker would immediately rematch and beat Rivera more decisively, but it was clear that Whitaker wasn't the same fighter that he was a few years back.
Another scare came in Whitaker's next fight against the rangy Cuban Diosbelys Hurtado. Whitaker would fall behind on the scorecards after being dropped mostly unhurt in the 1st and 6th rounds, but would show his hidden punching power by brutally KOing Hurtado in the 11th round, with Hurtado draped over the ropes.
3 months later Whitaker was back in the ring against the rising, prime and undefeated Oscar De La Hoya, who already had success at 130, 135, and 140lbs. In a controversial and close fight, Whitaker lost his welterweight crown. Many people have either man winning, so I like to look it as a draw, which is how I personally scored it anyways, which is almost like a win considering Whitaker's condition.
This was the last true meaningful fight of Whitaker's very successful career. In his next fight he tested positive for cocaine and ruled a NC, and then he dropped a decision to welterweight destroyer Felix Trinidad, despite hurting Trinidad briefly during the fight. In his final fight against Carlos Bojorquez, Whitaker broke his left clavicle and retired from boxing.
Whitaker's overall prowess in any fighting situation and his oustanding defense helped give him some of the most impressive wins of the last 30 years. At his best there were very few fighters that stood a chance of beating him, and the quality of his wins make him one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Notable wins:
Roger Mayweather
Jose Luis Ramirez(robbery)
Greg Haugen
Louie Lomeli
Jose Luis Ramirez
Freddie Pendleton
Azumah Nelson
Juan Nazario
Policarpo Diaz
Anthony Jones
Jorge Paez
Rafael Pineda
James McGirt
Julio Cesar Chavez(robbery)
James McGirt
Julio Cesar Vasquez
Jake Rodriquez
Wilfredo Rivera
Draw vs Oscar De La Hoya
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Career accomplishments of Julio Cesar Chavez
When most people think of the Mexican legend, their mind automatically goes to his amazing unbeaten streak. However, Chavez's greatness is not made because of a meaningless statistic, but because of his dominance over a large amount of high level competition over a long and exhausting career.
Chavez's first big victory came 1984 when he won the vacant WBC super featherweight title. Though many vacant title's happen against mediocre opponents, Chavez was faced up against underrated Mexican Mario 'Azabache' Martinez. Despite Chavez's already impressive 43-0 record, Martinez was a strong favorite coming into this fight and considered the third best 130lb fighter in the world after his impressive stoppage wins over Roberto Castanon and highly rated Rolando Navarette. Chavez overwhelmed him and stopped him in the 8th, which began championship career. Martinez would go on to have a close fight against Roger Mayweather and arguably beat ATG Azumah Nelson in their 1988 fight.
Next up would be former multiple time title challenger Ruben Castillo, who had in the past given Alexis Arguello and Salvador Sanchez tough fights. Castillo was one of the best featherweights in the world, but Chavez TKOed him in the 6th in a close range battle.
Chavez then fought against Roger Mayweather, who had been lineal champ after beating Samuel Serrano about 2 years previously. Mayweather was considered the 2nd best super featherweight in the world, but Chavez chin checked him early and only needed 2 rounds to put him away.
After a string of unremarkable title defenses against Dwight Pratchett, Faustino Barrios and Refugio Rojas, Chavez took on former lineal champ Rocky Lockridge, who in his last title fight had deserved a decision win over the ATG Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez, and was considered by many to still be the best fighter in the division. Though Lockridge put on immense pressure, Chavez was able to outbox him and won a decision over 12 rounds. Lockridge would shortly afterward become the IBF super featherweight champ by stopping Barry Michael, the second best fighter in the division.
In one of his toughest fights, Chavez next decisioned the tough and durable Juan LaPorte over 12 rounds. LaPorte had gone the distance with fighters such as Wilfredo Gomez and Salvador Sanchez, and again gave a very good showing against Chavez, but fell up short. LaPorte would go on to trouble Azumah Nelson in their title fight.
After 2 more title defenses against Francisco Tomas Da Cruz and former title challenger Danilo Cabrera, Chavez would take on the HOF huge puncher, Edwin Rosario, in his first fight at 135lbs. Despite Rosario's huge punching power, Chavez became the best fighter at Lightweight in his first fight by crowding Rosario and stopping him in the 11th round, beaten and bleeding.
Chavez's next title defense came against Rudolfo Aguilar, a future top 140lber, by TKO in 6, in his first professional fight against a southpaw.
Chavez took on former sparring partner and WBC Lightweight champ Jose Luis Ramirez next, and while letting up on him a little cruised without problem to a 12 round decision. Ramirez arguably should have a win over the legendary Alexis Arguello earlier in his career, and was considered one of the best lightweights in the world when Chavez beat him.
Chavez then moved up to 140lbs to challenge former opponent Roger Mayweather for the WBC light Welterweight title. Prior to this fight Roger had been undefeated at 140lbs with wins over future and former champs Rene Arrendondo and Vinny Pazienza, and nicknamed 'The Mexican Assassin" for his ability to beat high level Mexican opponents. After giving Chavez problems early and fighting well, he ultimately caved in to Chavez's attack, forfitting at the end of the 10th round.
After winning a tournament to compete for the championship, top ten rated Sammy Fuentes gave Chavez more trouble than expected with his volume punching, but ultimately followed in Mayweather's footsteps, and quit at the end of the 10th round due to Chavez's combination punching.
With a unification fight between very highly rated Meldrick Taylor on the horizon, Chavez defended his title once more with a 3rd round stoppage against Alberto De Las Mercedes Cortez, who would in a later fight drop Felix Trinidad and be the last man to defeat future lineal champ Carlos Baldomir before Baldomir lost to Floyd Mayweather.
Next up was the incredibly fast Meldrick Taylor in a much anticipated fight, dubbed 'Thunder and Lightning'. Through most of the early and middle parts of the fight, Taylor built up points with his volume punching and speed and was widely ahead leading into the 9th. However, Taylor had received a large amount of unnoticed punishment while landing more punches, and by the end of the 11th round he was badly beaten up and had been bleeding from the mouth from early in the 2nd round. With almost no time left on the clock in the 12th round, Chavez landed a thudding right hand which stumbled Taylor, and Chavez controversially stopped him with only seconds to spare.
After beating Kyung-Duk Ahn in a title defense, Chavez faced off against top ten rated John Duplessis, who tried running from the start, but was quickly cut down and sent through the ropes from Chavez's body punching.
His following challenger 'Lightning' Lonnie Smith, former best at 140lbs, tried similiar tactics alongside dirty fighting including a knee to the groin, but Chavez shut him out in 12 round decision. The tall and rangy top light welterweight Angel Hernandez was next up, but was stopped in the 5th round after doubling over from a straight right hand to the body.
After disposing of Frankie Mitchell in 4 rounds, Chavez took on former lightweight and superfeatherweight champ Hector Camacho, who was one of the best 140lb fighters in the world and who was well known for his hand speed and boxing ability. Chavez casually walked him down and punished him over 12 rounds, giving him a worse beating than prime Felix Trinidad or Oscar De La Hoya could, despite Camacho being substantially older and at a higher weight.
In front of a record breaking 132,247 fans, Chavez dismantled the trash talking and game former lightweight and light welterweight champ Greg Haugen over 5 brutal rounds. After doing a similiar paint job against the highly rated Terrance Ali, Chavez moved up in weight again to face the toughest challenge of his career, Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker.
After receiving a robbery draw against Whitaker, Chavez's dominant days started to end. After putting away undefeated British challenger Andy Holligan in 5 rounds, Chavez got his first official loss when he faced a possessed Frankie Randall, who was able to drop Chavez for the first time in his career with a thundering right hand. Chavez beat Randall again by techincal decision and regained the title, but it was clear that is best days were behind him.
In 1994 Chavez had a long overdue rematch with the faded but still game Meldrick Taylor, who had won and lost a Welterweight title since their first fight. After giving Chavez a surprising amount of trouble, Chavez dropped and finished Taylor with a check left hook.
Next up Chavez stopped Tony 'The Tiger' Lopez on cuts, who had previously won title straps at lightweight and light welterweight and was coming off a surprising KO win over Greg Haugen.
In 1995 Chavez faced and beat two top 140lb fighters Giovanni Parisi and David Kamau by decision. Parisi would win the WBO light welterweight title less than a year later by beating former Chavez opponent Sammy Fuentes.
After suffering a cut in sparring, Chavez had little hope against the rising boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya reopened Chavez's cut early in the first round, which bled badly and caused the stoppage in the 4th round.
In Chavez's last meaningful win of his career, he stopped former lightweight titlist Joey Gamache in the 8th round on cuts. After three more unsuccessful title runs in against Miguel Angel Gonzalez(a draw), Kostya Tszyu and a rematch with DLH at Welterweight, Chavez's legendary run was about over.
Overall Chavez had about 22 wins over notable competition, and had success over 3 different weight classes, making him the greatest boxer to come out of Mexico.
Notable wins:
Mario Martinez
Ruben Castillo
Roger Mayweather
Rocky Lockridge
Juan LaPorte
Edwin Rosario
Rudolfo Aguilar
Jose Luis Ramirez
Roger Mayweather
Sammy Fuentes
Meldrick Taylor
John Duplessis
Lonnie Smith
Hector Camacho
Greg Haugen
Terrance Ali
Frankie Randall
Tony Lopez
Giovanni Parisi
David Kamau
Joey Gamache
Chavez's first big victory came 1984 when he won the vacant WBC super featherweight title. Though many vacant title's happen against mediocre opponents, Chavez was faced up against underrated Mexican Mario 'Azabache' Martinez. Despite Chavez's already impressive 43-0 record, Martinez was a strong favorite coming into this fight and considered the third best 130lb fighter in the world after his impressive stoppage wins over Roberto Castanon and highly rated Rolando Navarette. Chavez overwhelmed him and stopped him in the 8th, which began championship career. Martinez would go on to have a close fight against Roger Mayweather and arguably beat ATG Azumah Nelson in their 1988 fight.
Next up would be former multiple time title challenger Ruben Castillo, who had in the past given Alexis Arguello and Salvador Sanchez tough fights. Castillo was one of the best featherweights in the world, but Chavez TKOed him in the 6th in a close range battle.
Chavez then fought against Roger Mayweather, who had been lineal champ after beating Samuel Serrano about 2 years previously. Mayweather was considered the 2nd best super featherweight in the world, but Chavez chin checked him early and only needed 2 rounds to put him away.
After a string of unremarkable title defenses against Dwight Pratchett, Faustino Barrios and Refugio Rojas, Chavez took on former lineal champ Rocky Lockridge, who in his last title fight had deserved a decision win over the ATG Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez, and was considered by many to still be the best fighter in the division. Though Lockridge put on immense pressure, Chavez was able to outbox him and won a decision over 12 rounds. Lockridge would shortly afterward become the IBF super featherweight champ by stopping Barry Michael, the second best fighter in the division.
In one of his toughest fights, Chavez next decisioned the tough and durable Juan LaPorte over 12 rounds. LaPorte had gone the distance with fighters such as Wilfredo Gomez and Salvador Sanchez, and again gave a very good showing against Chavez, but fell up short. LaPorte would go on to trouble Azumah Nelson in their title fight.
After 2 more title defenses against Francisco Tomas Da Cruz and former title challenger Danilo Cabrera, Chavez would take on the HOF huge puncher, Edwin Rosario, in his first fight at 135lbs. Despite Rosario's huge punching power, Chavez became the best fighter at Lightweight in his first fight by crowding Rosario and stopping him in the 11th round, beaten and bleeding.
Chavez's next title defense came against Rudolfo Aguilar, a future top 140lber, by TKO in 6, in his first professional fight against a southpaw.
Chavez took on former sparring partner and WBC Lightweight champ Jose Luis Ramirez next, and while letting up on him a little cruised without problem to a 12 round decision. Ramirez arguably should have a win over the legendary Alexis Arguello earlier in his career, and was considered one of the best lightweights in the world when Chavez beat him.
Chavez then moved up to 140lbs to challenge former opponent Roger Mayweather for the WBC light Welterweight title. Prior to this fight Roger had been undefeated at 140lbs with wins over future and former champs Rene Arrendondo and Vinny Pazienza, and nicknamed 'The Mexican Assassin" for his ability to beat high level Mexican opponents. After giving Chavez problems early and fighting well, he ultimately caved in to Chavez's attack, forfitting at the end of the 10th round.
After winning a tournament to compete for the championship, top ten rated Sammy Fuentes gave Chavez more trouble than expected with his volume punching, but ultimately followed in Mayweather's footsteps, and quit at the end of the 10th round due to Chavez's combination punching.
With a unification fight between very highly rated Meldrick Taylor on the horizon, Chavez defended his title once more with a 3rd round stoppage against Alberto De Las Mercedes Cortez, who would in a later fight drop Felix Trinidad and be the last man to defeat future lineal champ Carlos Baldomir before Baldomir lost to Floyd Mayweather.
Next up was the incredibly fast Meldrick Taylor in a much anticipated fight, dubbed 'Thunder and Lightning'. Through most of the early and middle parts of the fight, Taylor built up points with his volume punching and speed and was widely ahead leading into the 9th. However, Taylor had received a large amount of unnoticed punishment while landing more punches, and by the end of the 11th round he was badly beaten up and had been bleeding from the mouth from early in the 2nd round. With almost no time left on the clock in the 12th round, Chavez landed a thudding right hand which stumbled Taylor, and Chavez controversially stopped him with only seconds to spare.
After beating Kyung-Duk Ahn in a title defense, Chavez faced off against top ten rated John Duplessis, who tried running from the start, but was quickly cut down and sent through the ropes from Chavez's body punching.
His following challenger 'Lightning' Lonnie Smith, former best at 140lbs, tried similiar tactics alongside dirty fighting including a knee to the groin, but Chavez shut him out in 12 round decision. The tall and rangy top light welterweight Angel Hernandez was next up, but was stopped in the 5th round after doubling over from a straight right hand to the body.
After disposing of Frankie Mitchell in 4 rounds, Chavez took on former lightweight and superfeatherweight champ Hector Camacho, who was one of the best 140lb fighters in the world and who was well known for his hand speed and boxing ability. Chavez casually walked him down and punished him over 12 rounds, giving him a worse beating than prime Felix Trinidad or Oscar De La Hoya could, despite Camacho being substantially older and at a higher weight.
In front of a record breaking 132,247 fans, Chavez dismantled the trash talking and game former lightweight and light welterweight champ Greg Haugen over 5 brutal rounds. After doing a similiar paint job against the highly rated Terrance Ali, Chavez moved up in weight again to face the toughest challenge of his career, Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker.
After receiving a robbery draw against Whitaker, Chavez's dominant days started to end. After putting away undefeated British challenger Andy Holligan in 5 rounds, Chavez got his first official loss when he faced a possessed Frankie Randall, who was able to drop Chavez for the first time in his career with a thundering right hand. Chavez beat Randall again by techincal decision and regained the title, but it was clear that is best days were behind him.
In 1994 Chavez had a long overdue rematch with the faded but still game Meldrick Taylor, who had won and lost a Welterweight title since their first fight. After giving Chavez a surprising amount of trouble, Chavez dropped and finished Taylor with a check left hook.
Next up Chavez stopped Tony 'The Tiger' Lopez on cuts, who had previously won title straps at lightweight and light welterweight and was coming off a surprising KO win over Greg Haugen.
In 1995 Chavez faced and beat two top 140lb fighters Giovanni Parisi and David Kamau by decision. Parisi would win the WBO light welterweight title less than a year later by beating former Chavez opponent Sammy Fuentes.
After suffering a cut in sparring, Chavez had little hope against the rising boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya reopened Chavez's cut early in the first round, which bled badly and caused the stoppage in the 4th round.
In Chavez's last meaningful win of his career, he stopped former lightweight titlist Joey Gamache in the 8th round on cuts. After three more unsuccessful title runs in against Miguel Angel Gonzalez(a draw), Kostya Tszyu and a rematch with DLH at Welterweight, Chavez's legendary run was about over.
Overall Chavez had about 22 wins over notable competition, and had success over 3 different weight classes, making him the greatest boxer to come out of Mexico.
Notable wins:
Mario Martinez
Ruben Castillo
Roger Mayweather
Rocky Lockridge
Juan LaPorte
Edwin Rosario
Rudolfo Aguilar
Jose Luis Ramirez
Roger Mayweather
Sammy Fuentes
Meldrick Taylor
John Duplessis
Lonnie Smith
Hector Camacho
Greg Haugen
Terrance Ali
Frankie Randall
Tony Lopez
Giovanni Parisi
David Kamau
Joey Gamache
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Career accomplishments of Roberto Duran
Roberto 'Hands of Stone' Duran fought professionally from 1968 all the way to 2001...38 years long and during 5 different decades. During this period he piled up wins that have made him one of the greatest fighters of all time.
His first significant victory was over future featherweight champion Ernesto Marcel at 130lbs, when he was only 18 years old. Marcel would get a questionable draw against WBC featherweight champ Kuniaki Shibata the following year, and would officially become WBA featherweight champ by beating Antonio Gomez in 1972. Marcel would further go on to beat the legendary Alexis Arguello before retiring.
Before winning the lightweight crown in 1972, Duran would also knockout Hiroshi Kobayashi in 7 rounds. Kobayashi was considered the best fighter at 130lbs(and lineal champ) less than 3 months before Duran wiped him out at 135lbs.
The 28-0 Duran would get his title shot not against just another lightweight champion, but against Ken Buchanan...arguably the greatest fighter to come out of Scotland, and one of the top 20 lightweights of all time. Though the TKO in the 13th round was contoversial because of a punch landed below the belt, Duran had knocked down Buchanan early in the fight and was clearly ahead on the scorecards. Though Buchanan went on to have notable victories over Carlos Ortiz, Jim Watt and Frankie Otero, he would never win back the Lightweight crown, despite a very close fight for the WBC Lightweight title agaisnt Guts Ishimatsu.
Duran didnt start his title run perfectly, and lost for the first time to Esteban DeJesus in a non-title bout. After an unremarkable first title defense over former 140lb ranked Jimmy Robertson, Duran would score a 8th round TKO over Australian challenger Hector Thompson, who would move up in weight and rank in the top 5 at 140lbs for the next 4 years.
Duran's next title defense would come against Ishimatsu Suzuki(aka Guts Ishimatsu), who would win the WBC lightweight title less than 5 months after being knocked out by Duran, and go on to have victories over Ken Buchanan, Rodolfo Gonzalez, and Arturo Pineda.
His first 1974 title defense was against Esteban DeJesus, where he avenged his only loss with an 11th round KO despite being briefly floored in the 1st round. At this time DeJesus was considered the #1 challenger for Duran's title, and after a brief unsuccessful title run against the ATG 140lb champ Antonio Cervantes, DeJesus would beat Guts Ishimatsu to become WBC lightweight champ in 1976.
Duran's next title defense against Masataka Takayama was unsignificant, but in his next defense in 1975 he beat the 2nd best lightweight in the world(behind Duran), Ray Lampkin. Although he gave Duran some brief trouble early, Lampkin was eventually worn down and crushed by a left hook in the 14th round, causing him to be hospitalized for four days after their bout.
In his next defense Duran would face his only southpaw title challenger, Leonicio Ortiz, who was at top 10 fighter at 140lbs. After a brave showing, Ortiz finally had to give in and couldn't make it to the final bell, falling in the 15th and final round.
After a quick decision win against future Light Welterweight champ Saoul Mamby at 140lbs, Duran would rush back into the ring only 19 days afterward to defend his lightweight title against one of the top 5 fighters at 140lbs, Lou Bizzaro. Bizzaro would try running for the duration of the fight, but would be brutally knocked down multiple times late in the fight, causing the stoppage.
After a very quick 1st round destruction against former title challenger Alvaro Rojas, Duran would score a 13th round KO over top 5 rated Vilomar Fernandez, who would go on to surprisingly decision the ATG Alexis Arguello, who hadn't lost since becoming champion.
Nearing the end of his title reign at lightweight, Duran would go 15 rounds with the clever Edwin Viruet, who was considered the 3rd best lightweight in the world, and finish off his lightweight dominance by finishing off his old nemisis Esteban DeJesus, who was considered the 2nd best lightweight in the world and held the WBC lightweight title.
Now out of lightweight, Duran made his first move into Welterweight by beating former ranked 140lb fighters Adolfo Viruet and Monroe Brooks. In his first major win at Welterweight, Duran would dominantly beat former lineal welterweight champ and HOFer Carlos Palomino over 10 rounds, dropping the iron jawed Palomino in the 6th round. Palomino was considered the best welterweight in the world only about 5 months before, when he lost to the great Wilfredo Benitez.
After a quick wipeout of top ten welterweight Joseph Nsubugu, Duran would have his career defining fight against Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest fighters of all time and undoubtedly the best welterweight in the world. After 15 furious high skill rounds, Duran pulled in the much deserved win. Duran's win over Leonard is undoubtedly one of the greatest single wins in the history of boxing, considered how great Leonard was at Welterweight and the fact that Duran actually had to move up in weight to fight him at his best weight class.
After this period the dominance of Duran started to end. He didn't take training nearly as seriously and wasn't as active. After ballooning up in weight, he rematched Leonard in his embaressing 'No Mas' performance. After this Duran's career was very patchy and his performance depended largely on how well he trained.
After some setback losses, Duran would KO the fading former Welterweight destroyer Pipino Cuevas, earning him the right to face 154lb champion Davey Moore. Moore was heavily favoured going into the bout as an 8-1 favorite, but Duran shocked the world by demolishing Moore over 8 brutal rounds, when the ref finally saved the bloody, exhausted Moore from further punishment.
Duran seized this opportunity to face off against middleweight king Marvin Hagler. Despite having moments of success and cutting Hagler late in the fight, he clearly lost over 15 rounds. Duran was the only man to go 15 rounds with Hagler during his championship reign, all of his previous title challengers had been stopped before the 11th.
Duran fell off the map with bad performances against Robbie Sims and Thomas Hearns, but regained life in his career when he got the chance to face WBC middleweight champ Iran Barkley, who was fresh off his KO victory over the legendary Thomas Hearns. Duran came into this fight in shape, and after rallying late in the fight and scoring an 11th round knockdown, Duran walked away with the shocking decision victory.
For the most part Duran's career was over at that point, as he was unpredictable as ever when it came to conditioning. His last hurrah was against top 5 rated and former middleweight champ Jorge Fernando Castro, when Duran was nearly 46 years old. Duran would fight on and even get a last futile effort for a middleweight belt against William Joppy, but his career ended in 2001 against Hector Camacho, going 12 rounds despite being 50 years old.
He ended his career with about 18 or more wins over significant opponents, one of the greatest ever lightweights and one of the best fighters in the history of boxing.
Notable wins:
Ernesto Marcel
Hiroshi Kobayashi
Ken Buchanan
Hector Thompson
Guts Ishimatsu
Esteban DeJesus
Ray Lampkin
Leonicio Ortiz
Saoul Mamby
Lou Bizzaro
Vilomar Fernandez
Edwin Viruet
Esteban DeJesus
Monroe Brooks
Carlos Palomino
Joseph Nsubugu
Sugar Ray Leonard
Pipino Cuevas
Davey Moore
Iran Barkley
Jorge Fernando Castro
His first significant victory was over future featherweight champion Ernesto Marcel at 130lbs, when he was only 18 years old. Marcel would get a questionable draw against WBC featherweight champ Kuniaki Shibata the following year, and would officially become WBA featherweight champ by beating Antonio Gomez in 1972. Marcel would further go on to beat the legendary Alexis Arguello before retiring.
Before winning the lightweight crown in 1972, Duran would also knockout Hiroshi Kobayashi in 7 rounds. Kobayashi was considered the best fighter at 130lbs(and lineal champ) less than 3 months before Duran wiped him out at 135lbs.
The 28-0 Duran would get his title shot not against just another lightweight champion, but against Ken Buchanan...arguably the greatest fighter to come out of Scotland, and one of the top 20 lightweights of all time. Though the TKO in the 13th round was contoversial because of a punch landed below the belt, Duran had knocked down Buchanan early in the fight and was clearly ahead on the scorecards. Though Buchanan went on to have notable victories over Carlos Ortiz, Jim Watt and Frankie Otero, he would never win back the Lightweight crown, despite a very close fight for the WBC Lightweight title agaisnt Guts Ishimatsu.
Duran didnt start his title run perfectly, and lost for the first time to Esteban DeJesus in a non-title bout. After an unremarkable first title defense over former 140lb ranked Jimmy Robertson, Duran would score a 8th round TKO over Australian challenger Hector Thompson, who would move up in weight and rank in the top 5 at 140lbs for the next 4 years.
Duran's next title defense would come against Ishimatsu Suzuki(aka Guts Ishimatsu), who would win the WBC lightweight title less than 5 months after being knocked out by Duran, and go on to have victories over Ken Buchanan, Rodolfo Gonzalez, and Arturo Pineda.
His first 1974 title defense was against Esteban DeJesus, where he avenged his only loss with an 11th round KO despite being briefly floored in the 1st round. At this time DeJesus was considered the #1 challenger for Duran's title, and after a brief unsuccessful title run against the ATG 140lb champ Antonio Cervantes, DeJesus would beat Guts Ishimatsu to become WBC lightweight champ in 1976.
Duran's next title defense against Masataka Takayama was unsignificant, but in his next defense in 1975 he beat the 2nd best lightweight in the world(behind Duran), Ray Lampkin. Although he gave Duran some brief trouble early, Lampkin was eventually worn down and crushed by a left hook in the 14th round, causing him to be hospitalized for four days after their bout.
In his next defense Duran would face his only southpaw title challenger, Leonicio Ortiz, who was at top 10 fighter at 140lbs. After a brave showing, Ortiz finally had to give in and couldn't make it to the final bell, falling in the 15th and final round.
After a quick decision win against future Light Welterweight champ Saoul Mamby at 140lbs, Duran would rush back into the ring only 19 days afterward to defend his lightweight title against one of the top 5 fighters at 140lbs, Lou Bizzaro. Bizzaro would try running for the duration of the fight, but would be brutally knocked down multiple times late in the fight, causing the stoppage.
After a very quick 1st round destruction against former title challenger Alvaro Rojas, Duran would score a 13th round KO over top 5 rated Vilomar Fernandez, who would go on to surprisingly decision the ATG Alexis Arguello, who hadn't lost since becoming champion.
Nearing the end of his title reign at lightweight, Duran would go 15 rounds with the clever Edwin Viruet, who was considered the 3rd best lightweight in the world, and finish off his lightweight dominance by finishing off his old nemisis Esteban DeJesus, who was considered the 2nd best lightweight in the world and held the WBC lightweight title.
Now out of lightweight, Duran made his first move into Welterweight by beating former ranked 140lb fighters Adolfo Viruet and Monroe Brooks. In his first major win at Welterweight, Duran would dominantly beat former lineal welterweight champ and HOFer Carlos Palomino over 10 rounds, dropping the iron jawed Palomino in the 6th round. Palomino was considered the best welterweight in the world only about 5 months before, when he lost to the great Wilfredo Benitez.
After a quick wipeout of top ten welterweight Joseph Nsubugu, Duran would have his career defining fight against Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest fighters of all time and undoubtedly the best welterweight in the world. After 15 furious high skill rounds, Duran pulled in the much deserved win. Duran's win over Leonard is undoubtedly one of the greatest single wins in the history of boxing, considered how great Leonard was at Welterweight and the fact that Duran actually had to move up in weight to fight him at his best weight class.
After this period the dominance of Duran started to end. He didn't take training nearly as seriously and wasn't as active. After ballooning up in weight, he rematched Leonard in his embaressing 'No Mas' performance. After this Duran's career was very patchy and his performance depended largely on how well he trained.
After some setback losses, Duran would KO the fading former Welterweight destroyer Pipino Cuevas, earning him the right to face 154lb champion Davey Moore. Moore was heavily favoured going into the bout as an 8-1 favorite, but Duran shocked the world by demolishing Moore over 8 brutal rounds, when the ref finally saved the bloody, exhausted Moore from further punishment.
Duran seized this opportunity to face off against middleweight king Marvin Hagler. Despite having moments of success and cutting Hagler late in the fight, he clearly lost over 15 rounds. Duran was the only man to go 15 rounds with Hagler during his championship reign, all of his previous title challengers had been stopped before the 11th.
Duran fell off the map with bad performances against Robbie Sims and Thomas Hearns, but regained life in his career when he got the chance to face WBC middleweight champ Iran Barkley, who was fresh off his KO victory over the legendary Thomas Hearns. Duran came into this fight in shape, and after rallying late in the fight and scoring an 11th round knockdown, Duran walked away with the shocking decision victory.
For the most part Duran's career was over at that point, as he was unpredictable as ever when it came to conditioning. His last hurrah was against top 5 rated and former middleweight champ Jorge Fernando Castro, when Duran was nearly 46 years old. Duran would fight on and even get a last futile effort for a middleweight belt against William Joppy, but his career ended in 2001 against Hector Camacho, going 12 rounds despite being 50 years old.
He ended his career with about 18 or more wins over significant opponents, one of the greatest ever lightweights and one of the best fighters in the history of boxing.
Notable wins:
Ernesto Marcel
Hiroshi Kobayashi
Ken Buchanan
Hector Thompson
Guts Ishimatsu
Esteban DeJesus
Ray Lampkin
Leonicio Ortiz
Saoul Mamby
Lou Bizzaro
Vilomar Fernandez
Edwin Viruet
Esteban DeJesus
Monroe Brooks
Carlos Palomino
Joseph Nsubugu
Sugar Ray Leonard
Pipino Cuevas
Davey Moore
Iran Barkley
Jorge Fernando Castro
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)