Today in Boxing History: Antonio Cervantes Wins Title

Antonio Cervantes won the WBA Light Welterweight Title with a tenth round knockout of Alfonso Frazer in Panama City, Panama.

On this day in 1972, Cervantes turned professional in 1964, fighting most of his bouts in his native Colombia. In December of 1971, he received his first shot at the WBA Light Welterweight Title, facing Nicolino Locche in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cervantes lost a 15 round decision, but his determined, hard-punching attack began to receive greater attention.

Locche lost his title by decision to Frazer, then the Panamanian Lightweight Champion. For his first defense, Frazer chose Cervantes, who had won his first three bouts of 1972.

While the fight was fought on Frazer’s home turf, Cervantes was not fazed. He knocked out Frazer in the tenth round and won the title. The two met for a rematch in 1973, and Cervantes stopping Frazer in five rounds.

Frazer continued fighting until 1981, but never won another major title. Cervantes went on to hold the title two times from 1972 to 1980. He successfully defended it in 17 bouts, and his only losses were at the hands of Wilfred Benitez and Aaron Pryor.