Carlos Maussa

Last updated
Carlos Maussa
Born
Charles Celindo Maussa Diaz

(1971-09-24) September 24, 1971 (age 52)
Montería, Colombia
NationalityColombian
Other namesEl Apóstol ("The Apostle")
Statistics
Weight(s) Light welterweight
Height5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179 cm)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights25
Wins20
Wins by KO18
Losses5

Charles Celindo Maussa Diaz (born September 24, 1971), best known as Carlos Maussa, is a Colombian former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2007, and held the WBA super light welterweight title in 2005.

Contents

Professional career

Turning pro in 2000, at the age of 29, Maussa won two titles and fought in several significant fights until his retirement at age 38.

Maussa was raised in the Santa Fe neighborhood of Montería, a city located in the banks of the Sinú River, where he began his impressive amateur career, which ultimately brought him just nine defeats in 130 bouts. Maussa was named National Champion four times and was also crowned the Central American champion. He gained the nickname “The Apostle” by his frequent preaching of the Christian gospel.

In his professional career, while never a superstar fighter, he was a highly touted "gatekeeper" who helped define the careers of several light welterweight prospects.

Notable fights

Maussa began his career with twelve victories in his native Colombia before coming to the United States. He then won four bouts in the U.S. before facing highly touted New York prospect Jeffrey Resto, described as "perhaps the most-talked-about young pro in New York". [1] In this battle of two undefeated fighters (17-0 Resto vs. 16-0 Maussa), Resto was unable to deal with Maussa's unorthodox fighting style and abruptly quit in the 6th round, [2] earning Maussa an unexpected victory. Both fighters' careers ended half a decade later with a loss to the same fighter, Victor Ortiz.

Maussa's win over Resto earned him a shot at fellow 17-0 boxer and WBC International light welterweight titleholder Miguel Angel Cotto. Maussa's fight against Cotto was less successful, resulting in Cotto winning by an 8th round TKO. Following this, Maussa fought in three lower-profile fights, winning two. Then, on 25 June 2005, he entered the popular consciousness of boxing fans with an upset win by KO against WBA light-welterweight titlist Vivian Harris. [3] This exciting victory made Maussa a new champion in one of boxing’s competitive divisions.

The bout was notable for a number of reasons: Harris was an overwhelming favorite and is regarded as one of the best boxers at the weight and Maussa’s awkwardly clever style and frequent clowning gestures and facial expressions lent him an air of amateurishness. At the beginning of the seventh round Maussa delivered a stunning left hook, KO-ing Harris. Maussa then lunged downward and punched him in the head while he was already supine on the canvas. The ropes absorbed the impact of the blow. Still, this act has led to much controversy, as the hit could have disqualified Maussa. After the match, however, the bout referees ruled that the late hit was “insignificant”, allowing Maussa to keep his title. When interviewed about this punch, Maussa claimed he didn't connect with Harris on purpose, and that his sole intention was to impress the fallen Harris in case he had any desire to fight on.

The victory cemented Maussa's reputation as somewhat of a gatekeeper for up-and-coming light welterweight prospects, but ended up being his last victory. On 26 November 2005 Maussa lost his WBA title against IBF title-holder, Ricky Hatton, in a unification bout. After a unanimous decision loss to Manuel Guarnica, Maussa fought well-regarded future titleholder Victor Ortiz, and was knocked out in the first round. Following this, Maussa retired with a professional record of 20 wins and 5 losses in a total of 113 professional rounds of boxing.

Professional boxing record

25 fights20 wins5 losses
By knockout183
By decision22
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
25Loss20–5 Victor Ortiz KO1 (10), 1:47Nov 10, 2007 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
24Loss20–4 Manuel Garnica UD12Aug 25, 2006Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.For vacant WBA Fedecaribe and WBC Latino light welterweight titles
23Loss20–3 Ricky Hatton KO9 (12), 1:10Nov 26, 2005 Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, EnglandLost WBA light welterweight title;
For IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles
22Win20–2 Vivian Harris KO7 (12), 0:43 Jun 25, 2005 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBA light welterweight title
21Win19–2Antonio EspitiaKO4 (10)Mar 19, 2005 Arboletes, Colombia
20Loss18–2 Arturo Morua UD12Dec 17, 2004Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.For vacant WBO Latino light welterweight title
19Win18–1Masakazu SatakeSD10Mar 6, 2004 Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
18Loss17–1 Miguel Cotto TKO8 (12), 2:07Dec 6, 2003 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto RicoFor WBC International light welterweight title
17Win17–0Jeffrey RestoTKO6 (12), 2:00Sep 26, 2003 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC Latino light welterweight title
16Win16–0Freddy CruzTKO2 (6)Aug 1, 2003 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
15Win15–0Hicklet LauUD12May 29, 2003 American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.Won vacant WBC Latino light welterweight title
14Win14–0Henry MatosTKO3 (6)Mar 28, 2003Palladium Athletic Village, Davie, Florida, U.S.
13Win13–0Jorge GarridoKO1 (4)Dec 20, 2002Cartagena, Colombia
12Win12–0Luis EspitiaKO1Nov 4, 2002Montería, Colombia
11Win11–0Jose MaciaKO2Jul 14, 2002 Planeta Rica, Colombia
10Win10–0Ivan SalgadoKO3Apr 30, 2002Montería, Colombia
9Win9–0Oscar Carrillo VillaKO3 (10)Jan 19, 2002Cartagena, Colombia
8Win8–0Gerardo BarriosKO2Aug 31, 2001Montería, Colombia
7Win7–0Eliseo FeriasKO2Jul 27, 2001 Cartagena, Colombia
6Win6–0Manuel MachadoKO1May 2, 2001 Santa Cruz de Lorica, Colombia
5Win5–0Rafael CorreaKO1Mar 30, 2001Montería, Colombia
4Win4–0Feder GuerreroKO2 (4)Jan 30, 2001 Barranquilla, Colombia
3Win3–0Luis JulioKO2Dec 17, 2000Bogotá, Colombia
2Win2–0Luis DuarteKO2Sep 18, 2000 Montería, Colombia
1Win1–0Juan VilladiegoKO4 (4)Jul 31, 2000 Bogotá, Colombia

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References

  1. ↑ "Abramson: Don't dismiss revitalized Resto". 29 November 2008.
  2. ↑ "Abramson: Don't dismiss revitalized Resto". 29 November 2008.
  3. ↑ Harris stunned by wildman Maussa
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
New title WBC Latino super lightweight champion
May 29, 2003 – December 6, 2003
Lost bid for International title		Vacant
Title next held by
Juan Urango
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA super lightweight champion
June 25, 2005 – November 26, 2005
Lost bid for Super title 		Vacant
Title next held by
Souleymane M'baye
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