Antonio Cervantes

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Antonio Cervantes
Statistics
Real nameAntonio Cervantes Reyes
Nickname(s)Kid Pambele
Weight(s) Light welterweight
Height5 ft 8+1⁄2 in (174 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
NationalityColombian
Born (1945-12-23) December 23, 1945 (age 77)
San Basilio de Palenque, Bolívar, Colombia
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights80
Wins67
Wins by KO37
Losses12
Draws1

Antonio Cervantes (born December 23, 1945) is a Colombian boxing trainer and former professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1983. He held the WBA and The Ring light welterweight title twice between 1972 and 1980.

Contents

In 2002, Cervantes was chosen for the Ring Magazine's list of 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. [1] Boxrec also ranked him the 50th greatest pound for pound boxer of all time. [2]

Personal life

Cervantes, who is Afro-Colombian, was born in Palenque, also known as the first site of a slave rebellion in the Americas. Cervantes used to sell contraband cigarettes and shine shoes as a child to survive.

Professional boxing career

He met boxing trainer Carmelo Prada, who helped shape his style. Cervantes only had three amateur bouts, winning two and losing one. On January 31, 1964, Cervantes entered the boxing ring as a professional for the first time, beating Juan Martínez by decision in six rounds. His first 32 bouts as a professional were in Colombia, and he won 27, lost 4 and drew one of them. Realizing his pupil needed publicity outside Colombia, Prada then moved with Cervantes to Venezuela, where, on November 25, 1968, he knocked out Orlando Ruiz in the first round for his first fight abroad. He followed that win with a ten rounds decision over Nestor Rojas in the very short time of only three days later.

On December 23 of that year, he suffered his first knockout defeat when Cruz Marcano, a fringe contender of the time, beat him in four rounds in Caracas.

He won five and lost two in 1969, splitting his fights between Colombia and Venezuela, and losing a ten-round decision to Antonio Gómez, former world champion.

He won two more in 1970, then he and Prada moved, this time to Los Angeles. In California, he began by beating Jose Rodriguez by a knockout in the first round in San Jose, and on December 17, he beat Rodolfo Gato González, a very famous Mexican boxer of the time, by knockout in round eight. After this and a 1971 win over Argentine Enrique Jana, Cervantes was ranked as a light welterweight by the WBA. On December 11 of that year, he had his first world title try, against Nicolino Locche, in Buenos Aires. Cervantes lost a 15-round decision that time, however.

Winning the light welterweight title

After winning three fights in 1972, Cervantes, who had by then returned to Colombia, had another world title try: Alfonso Frazer, who had dethroned Locche of the world title, gave Cervantes a chance on October 28 at Panama City. Cervantes knocked Frazer out in round ten and became the world light welterweight champion for the first time. [3]

Cervantes immediately became a national hero in Colombia, and many enterprises made him their spokesman in the coffee producing country, most notably Sanyo, whose name the popular champion advertised on his clothing and fight trunks.

Cervantes made nine defenses, including a TKO in round ten against Locche in their rematch after his corner stopped the fight due to a cut over his left eye, a knockout in five of Frazer, also in a rematch, a 15-round split decision win over Josue Marquez in Puerto Rico (in the first world title bout ever held at Roberto Clemente Coliseum; most of the nine thousand in attendance scored the fight for Cervantes [4] ) and a 15-round decision against future world Lightweight champion Esteban De Jesús. But on March 6, 1976, at San Juan, he lost a 15-round decision and the world title to 17-year-old Puerto Rican Wilfred Benítez, who with that became boxing's youngest champion ever. [5]

Cervantes won five more fights in a row, including a win over Saoul Mamby, before fighting for the world title again. After Benitez had left the light welterweight belt vacant, Cervantes regained it on June 25, 1977, with a five-round knockout over Carlos Maria Gimenez, again in Venezuela. His second reign as world champion took him to such places as Thailand, Botswana and South Korea, among others. He retained the title six times, beating the likes of Adrian Marrero and Miguel Montilla (twice). By this time, there was much talk about a superfight with world Lightweight champion Roberto Durán, who was coming up in weight. Duran decided to challenge Sugar Ray Leonard instead, however, and Cervantes vs. Duran never materialized.

On August 2, 1980, Cervantes dropped his next title challenger, Aaron Pryor, to the canvas in the first round. Pryor recovered, however, and beat Cervantes by a knockout in round four. This turned out to be Cervantes' last world title fight. He fought two times more for the FECARBOX WBC title, winning both fights shortly before retiring in 1980.

However, Cervantes came out of retirement due to financial problems and went on boxing until 1983, winning four fights and dropping his last one, a ten-round decision loss to Danny Sanchez on December 9, 1983, at Miami.

Retirement

In retirement, his life was almost as public as it was during his boxing career: In 1985, for example, he and a female passenger in one of the boats Cervantes owned, suffered a water accident, and the passenger almost drowned, but Cervantes was able to save her life. A movie has been made about a fictional boxer called Milton Ollivera (who comes from Colombia) who goes through a majority of the things Cervantes went through throughout his life.

Cervantes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2000, he was declared by the Colombian Boxing Federation and National Association of Professional Boxing as Colombia's Fighter of the Century. For that award, the WBA issued him a special, commemorative belt.

Cervantes' nickname, Kid Pambelé, became almost as famous as Cervantes himself: as a matter of a fact, many fans called him only Pambelé or Pambe (the name of a song by Carlos Vives about him).

Professional boxing record

80 fights67 wins12 losses
By knockout372
By decision3010
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
80Loss67–12–1Danny SanchezUD109 Dec 1983 Casino Miami, Miami, Florida, U.S.
79Win67–11–1Sergio AlvarezTKO11 (12)30 Jul 1983Plaza de toros de Cartagena, Cartagena, ColombiaRetained WBC FECARBOX title
78Win66–11–1Amancio CastroPTS1226 Mar 1983Plaza de toros de Cartagena, Cartagena, ColombiaWon WBC FECARBOX title
77Win65–11–1Jerome ArtisPTS102 Apr 1982Cartagena, Colombia
76Win64–11–1 Lennox Blackmoore KO9 (10)4 Dec 1981Bogota, Colombia
75Loss63–11–1 Aaron Pryor KO4 (15)2 Aug 1980 Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Lost WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
74Win63–10–1 Miguel Montilla TKO7 (15)29 Mar 1980Plaza de toros de Cartagena, Cartagena, ColombiaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
73Win62–10–1Kwang Min KimSD1525 Aug 1979 Jangchung Gymnasium, Seoul, South KoreaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
72Win61–10–1 Miguel Montilla UD1518 Jan 1979 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBA light welterweight title;
Won vacant The Ring light welterweight title
71Win60–10–1Norman SekgapaneTKO9 (15)26 Aug 1978 Mmabatho Stadium, Mmabatho, South AfricaRetained WBA light welterweight title
70Win59–10–1Tongta KiatvayupakdiKO6 (15)28 Apr 1978Provincial Stadium, Udon Thani, ThailandRetained WBA light welterweight title
69Win58–10–1Johnny CopelandKO3 (10)18 Mar 1978Plaza de toros de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
68Win57–10–1Adriano MarreroUD155 Nov 1977Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, VenezuelaRetained WBA light welterweight title
67Win56–10–1Carlos Maria GimenezRTD5 (15)25 Jun 1977 Plaza de toros Monumental de Maracaibo, Maracaibo, VenezuelaWon vacant WBA light welterweight title
66Win55–10–1Adriano MarreroUD1019 Mar 1977Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
65Win54–10–1 Saoul Mamby UD1013 Nov 1976Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
64Win53–10–1Ariel MacielKO2 (10)16 Oct 1976Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
63Win52–10–1Beau JaynesKO1 (10)17 Jul 1976Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
62Win51–10–1Javier AyalaKO1 (10)23 May 1976Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
61Loss50–10–1 Wilfred Benítez SD156 Mar 1976 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoLost WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
60Win50–9–1 Hector Thompson RTD7 (15)15 Nov 1975Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
59Win49–9–1Battlehawk KazamaTKO6 (10)20 Sep 1975Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
58Win48–9–1 Esteban De Jesus UD1517 May 1975Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
57Win47–9–1Ray Chavez GuerreroKO2 (10)15 Mar 1975 Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
56Win46–9–1Shinichi KadotaKO8 (15)26 Oct 1974Nihon University Auditorium, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
55Win45–9–1Victor OrtizKO2 (15)27 Jul 1974Plaza de toros de Cartagena, Cartagena, ColombiaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
54Win44–9–1 Pedro Adigue KO4 (10)8 Jun 1974Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
53Win43–9–1Chang-Kil LeeKO6 (15)2 Mar 1974Plaza de toros de Cartagena, Cartagena, ColombiaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
52Win42–9–1Lion FuruyamaUD155 Dec 1973Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
51Win41–9–1Carlos Maria GimenezTKO5 (15)8 Sep 1973El Campín Coliseum, Bogota, ColombiaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
50Win40–9–1 Reinaldo Mercado TKO5 (10)20 Jul 1973Coliseo Humberto Perea, Barranquilla, Colombia
49Win39–9–1 Alfonso Frazer TKO5 (15)19 May 1973Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
48Win38–9–1Benny HuertasKO1 (10)28 Apr 1973 Coliseo El Pueblo, Cali, Colombia
47Win37–9–1 Nicolino Locche RTD10 (15)17 Mar 1973Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, VenezuelaRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
46Win36–9–1 Josue Marquez SD1515 Feb 1973 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoRetained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
45Win35–9–1 Alfonso Frazer KO10 (15)28 Oct 1972 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaWon WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
44Win34–9–1Lupe RamirezPTS1019 Aug 1972Maestranza César Girón Bullring, Maracay, Venezuela
43Win33–9–1Frank MedinaKO8 (10)26 Apr 1972Coliseo Humberto Perea, Barranquilla, Colombia
42Win32–9–1Jose EscuderoKO1 (10)10 Mar 1972Barranquilla, Colombia
41Loss31–9–1 Nicolino Locche UD1511 Dec 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFor WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
40Win31–8–1Julio VeraUD1018 Oct 1971Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
39Win30–8–1Gerardo FerratUD1010 Jul 1971 Valencia, Venezuela
38Win29–8–1Lupe RamirezUD1028 May 1971Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
37Win28–8–1Enrique JanaTKO8 (10)18 Feb 1971Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36Win27–8–1 Rodolfo Gonzalez TKO8 (10)17 Dec 1970 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
35Win26–8–1Jorge RodriguezKO8 (10)6 Nov 1970 San Jose Civic, San Jose, California, U.S.
34Win25–8–1Diego TovarKO1 (10)23 Mar 1970Palacio de Deportes, Caracas, Venezuela
33Win24–8–1Pedro ChirinosPTS1020 Feb 1970Caracas, Venezuela
32Loss23–8–1 Antonio Gómez PTS1010 Nov 1969Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
31Win23–7–1Orlando RivasKO2 (10)15 Aug 1969Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
30Loss22–7–1Francisco BolivarPTS1021 Jul 1969Caracas, Venezuela
29Win22–6–1Milton MendezPTS104 Jun 1969Teatro Circo, Cartagena, Colombia
28Win21–6–1Frank LeroyKO2 (10)15 Apr 1969Caracas, Venezuela
27Win20–6–1Jesus GonzalezTKO2 (10)9 Feb 1969Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
26Loss19–6–1Cruz MarcanoKO4 (10)20 Dec 1968Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
25Win19–5–1 Orlando Ruiz KO1(10)25 Nov 1968Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
24Win18–5–1Jose GodoyPTS831 Aug 1968Canal 7 TV Studio, Bogota, Colombia
23Win17–5–1Heliodoro PitaluaPTS1021 Jan 1968Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
22Win16–5–1Rafa RojasKO5 (10)5 Aug 1967Coliseo Humberto Perea, Barranquilla, Colombia
21Loss15–5–1Nestor RojasPTS819 Jun 1967Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
20Win15–4–1Reynaldo LopezPTS103 Jun 1967San Andres, Colombia
19Win14–4–1Heliodoro PitaluaPTS1020 May 1967San Andres, Colombia
18Loss13–4–1Heliodoro PitaluaPTS82 Apr 1967Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
17Loss13–3–1Victor CanoPTS83 Feb 1967 Plaza de Toros de Santamaría, Bogotá, Colombia
16Loss13–2–1Cipriano ZuluagaPTS106 Nov 1966Dieciocho de Junio stadium, Monteria, Colombia
15Loss13–1–1Cipriano ZuluagaPTS1023 Sep 1966Dieciocho de Junio stadium, Monteria, Colombia
14Draw13–0–1Reynaldo LopezPTS829 Jul 1966Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
13Win13–0Jose ZunigaPTS624 Jun 1966Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
12Win12–0Jose GodoyPTS624 May 1966Calamar, Colombia
11Win11–0Jesus CardenasKO7 (8)10 May 1966 Turbaco, Colombia
10Win10–0Jose GodoyPTS629 Apr 1966Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
9Win9–0Antonio YiPTS619 Mar 1966Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
8Win8–0Rafael DonodoKO2 (6)19 Jan 1966 Estadio Once de Noviembre, Cartagena, Colombia
7Win7–0Antonio YiPTS62 Oct 1965Humberto Perea Coliseum, Barranquilla, Colombia
6Win6–0Felix SalgadoPTS420 Jun 1964 Barranquilla, Colombia
5Win5–0Oscar GonzalezPTS85 May 1964 Medellin, Colombia
4Win4–0Rodolfo MarquezKO3 (6)21 Apr 1964 Maria La Baja, Colombia
3Win3–0Rodolfo MarquezPTS620 Mar 1964 Valledupar, Colombia
2Win2–0Rodolfo MarquezPTS428 Feb 1964 Valledupar, Colombia
1Win1–0Juan MartinezPTS631 Jan 1964 Cerete, Colombia

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Eisele, Andrew (2003). "Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers". About.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  2. ↑ Boxrec all time p4p rankings
  3. ↑ "Antonio Cervantes - Lineal Junior Welterweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  4. ↑ "Antonio Cervantes vs. Josue Marquez - BoxRec". boxrec.com.
  5. ↑ "Ranking the Most Unbreakable Records in Boxing". Bleacher Report .
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA light welterweight champion
28 October 1972 – 6 March 1976		Succeeded by
The Ring light welterweight champion
28 October 1972 - 6 March 1976
Vacant
Title last held by
Wilfred Benítez 		WBA light welterweight champion
25 June 1977 – 2 August 1980		Succeeded by
The Ring light welterweight champion
18 January 1979 – 2 August 1980
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