Today in Boxing History: Vicente Saldivar has pro debut in Oaxaca

On this day in 1961, Vicente Saldivar made his professional debut with a first round knockout of Baby Palacios in Oaxaca, Mexico.

After knocking out Palacios, Saldivar won 35 of his next 36 fights. Along the way, he won the Mexican Featherweight and the WBC and WBA World Featherweight belts, retired, and then came back to win the WBC Featherweight title again.

Palacios’ only other recorded bout was a draw with Pollero Garcia in 1959. He retired after the loss to Saldivar.