Rafael Herrera

Last updated
Rafael Herrera
Born
Rafael Herrera Lemus

(1945-01-07) January 7, 1945 (age 79)
Degollado, Jalisco, Mexico
NationalityMexican
Statistics
Weight(s) Bantamweight
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Reach65 in (165 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights60
Wins47
Wins by KO20
Losses9
Draws4

Rafael Herrera (born 7 January 1945) is a Mexican former professional boxer. He has won the Lineal championship in the bantamweight division.

Contents

Professional career

Herrera turned pro in 1963 and in 1972 defeated Rubén Olivares by TKO to capture the Lineal, WBC and WBA bantamweight titles. [1] [2] He lost the titles in his first defense to Enrique Pinder. Pinder was stripped of the WBC title after this fight for failure to defend against Rodolfo Martinez. Herrera fought Martinez for the vacant WBC bantamweight title the following year and won by TKO, a fight in which Martinez down four times (twice in 4th, twice in 11th), and Herrera was down in the 8th. He defended the title twice before losing it in 1974 in a rematch with Martinez. [3] The outcome of the bout was controversial, as Herrera was on his feet at the count of 7 after being knocked down and was asked by the referee if he could continue. Herrera nodded "yes" but a split second later the referee raised Martinez' hand and declared him the winner. Herrera lurched forward but the referee contained him. The ensuing conversation between Herrera and the referee was heard on the national TV broadcast.

Professional boxing record

60 fights47 wins9 losses
By knockout203
By decision276
Draws4
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
60Win47–9–4 Flag of Mexico.svg Alfredo MenesesMD41986-02-25 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
59Draw46–9–4 Flag of Colombia.svg Jose CervantesMD121976-05-23 Flag of Venezuela.svg Maestranza Cesar Giron, Maracay, Venezuela
58Loss46–9–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Jose Luis SotoUD101975-11-10 Flag of Mexico.svg Los Mochis, Mexico
57Loss46–8–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Octavio GomezUD101975-07-05 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
56Loss46–7–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Rodolfo Martínez TKO4 (15)1974-12-07 Flag of Mexico.svg Plaza de Toros, Mérida, MexicoLost WBC bantamweight title
55Win46–6–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Romeo Anaya TKO6 (15)1974-05-25 Flag of Mexico.svg Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, MexicoRetained WBC bantamweight title
54Win45–6–3 Flag of Thailand.svg Venice Borkhorsor SD151973-10-13 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBC bantamweight title
53Win44–6–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Rodolfo Martínez TKO12 (15)1973-04-14 Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey, MexicoWon vacant WBC bantamweight title
52Win43–6–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Rubén Olivares MD101972-11-14 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
51Loss42–6–3 Flag of Panama.svg Enrique Pinder UD151972-07-29 Flag of Panama.svg Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, PanamaLost WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
50Win42–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Rubén Olivares KO8 (15)1972-03-19 Flag of Mexico.svg Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, MexicoWon WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titles
49Win41–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Chucho Castillo SD121971-08-23 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained NABF bantamweight title
48Win40–5–3 Flag of the Philippines.svg Modesto Boy DayaganonKO2 (8)1971-06-14 Flag of Mexico.svg Tijuana, Mexico
47Win39–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Cesar DecigaTKO10 (10)1971-04-02 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
46Win38–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Rodolfo Martinez MD121971-01-20 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Won vacant NABF bantamweight title
45Win37–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Octavio GomezUD101970-09-05 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
44Win36–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Jose LopezUD101970-04-18 Flag of the United States.svg The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
43Win35–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Cesar Chuy ChavezTKO2 (8)1970-03-17 Flag of Mexico.svg Tijuana, Mexico
42Win34–5–3 Flag of Japan.svg Yoshiki SudaKO3 (10)1970-01-20 Flag of the United States.svg Tijuana, Mexico
41Win33–5–3 Flag of the United States.svg Lenny BriceTKO3 (10)1969-09-25 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
40Loss32–5–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Raul CruzSD101969-07-26 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
39Draw32–4–3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Billy McGrandleSD101969-04-17 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
38Win32–4–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo SolisTKO5 (10)1969-03-29 Flag of Mexico.svg Plaza de Toros, Torreón, Mexico
37Win31–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Ken NagamineUD101969-03-04 Flag of the United States.svg Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
36Loss30–4–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Chucho Castillo TKO3 (12)1969-02-15 Flag of Mexico.svg Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey, MexicoFor Mexico bantamweight title
35Win30–3–2 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry StokesUD101968-12-19 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
34Win29–3–2 Flag of the United States.svg Lenny BriceUD101968-11-21 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
33Win28–3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Guillermo TellezTKO9 (10)1968-09-28 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
32Win27–3–2 Flag of the United States.svg Ronnie JonesTKO3 (10)1968-08-03 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
31Win26–3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Santos SandovalTKO2 (10)1968-06-29 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
30Win25–3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Raul VegaUD101968-03-30 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
29Win24–3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Alex RiveraUD101967-12-05 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
28Win23–3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo SolisKO5 (10)1967-10-17 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
27Draw22–3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Lupe GonzalezTD8 (10)1967-09-19 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
26Win22–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Elias VargasUD101967-08-18 Flag of the United States.svg San Bernardino, California, U.S.
25Win21–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Elias VargasUD101967-07-06 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
24Win20–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Alex RiveraUD101967-06-05 Flag of the United States.svg Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
23Win19–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Antonio PerezUD101967-05-16 Flag of the United States.svg San Jose, California, U.S.
22Win18–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Jose HernandezUD61967-04-06 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
21Win17–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Manuel MagallanesUD61967-03-02 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
20Draw16–3–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Gerardo LunaMD101967-01-21 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
19Win16–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Alfredo MenesesUD101966-11-16 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
18Win15–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Cornelio VegaUD101966-07-13 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
17Win14–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Gerardo LunaUD101966-06-08 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
16Win13–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Coruco ContrerasKO10 (10)1966-01-06 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
15Win12–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Coruco ContrerasKO8 (10)1965-11-08 Flag of Mexico.svg Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
14Win11–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Alfredo MenesesUD101965-10-09 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
13Loss10–3 Flag of Mexico.svg Gerardo LunaUD101965-05-01 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
12Win10–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Rogelio ReaTKO4 (8)1965-04-03 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
11Win9–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Cid CardenasUD81965-01-27 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
10Win8–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Andres MolinaTKO7 (8)1964-11-21 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
9Win7–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Alfonso IzquierdoUD61964-10-10 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
8Win6–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Miguel ZamudioTKO8 (8)1964-09-20 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
7Win5–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Jose Luis MadridTKO2 (6)1964-08-26 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
6Loss4–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Jose Luis MadridKO4 (6)1964-02-07 Flag of Mexico.svg Poza Rica, Mexico
5Loss4–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Alfonso Jose CazaresSD61963-09-21 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
4Win4–0 Flag of Mexico.svg David MonroyUD61963-07-13 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
3Win3–0 Flag of the United States.svg Wenceslao AngelesUD41963-05-25 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
2Win2–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Raul MartinezUD41963-04-17 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
1Win1–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Memo GonzalezUD41963-03-20 Flag of Mexico.svg Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico

Personal life

Born into a large working-class family, Herrera originally wanted to be a priest. In 1971 he married Leticia, his longtime wife with whom he had two daughters.

See also

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References

  1. "Herrera Stops Olivares in 8th And Gains Bantamweight Title". The New York Times. 20 March 1972. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  2. "Rafael Herrera - Lineal Bantamweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  3. "The WBC mourns the death of Rodolfo Martínez". World Boxing Council. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Chucho Castillo
NABF bantamweight champion
January 20, 1971 – 1971
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
David Vasquez
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA bantamweight champion
March 19, 1972 - July 29, 1972
Succeeded by
WBC bantamweight champion
March 19, 1972 - July 29, 1972
The Ring bantamweight champion
March 19, 1972 - July 29, 1972
Undisputed bantamweight champion
March 19, 1972 - July 29, 1972
Vacant
Title last held by
Enrique Pinder
WBC bantamweight champion
April 14, 1973 - December 7, 1974
Succeeded by