Today in Boxing History: Pipino Cuevas born in Mexico

On this day in 1957, Pipino Cuevas was born in Santo Tomas de Los Platanos, Mexico.

A puncher with knockout power in both hands, Cuevas turned professional when he was 13 years old, fighting in and around Mexico City. At the age of 17, Cuevas won the Mexican Welterweight title with a 10th-round knockout of Jose Palacios. He then picked up the WBA Welterweight championship with a second round stoppage of Angel Espada in July of 1976.

His reign as champion was exemplary, lasting four years and 11 successful title defenses. However, that run came to an abrupt end in Detroit in 1980 when a smashing right from Thomas Hearns crumpled Cuevas in the second round. It was one of the most memorable knockouts in boxing history.

The last phase of Cuevas’ career was much less formidable as he went 8-8 following the Hearns’ loss. He retired in 1989 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002.