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Wilfred Benítez

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Wilfred Benítez
Benítez in 1980
Born (1958-09-12) September 12, 1958 (age 66)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesEl Radar ("The Radar")
Bible of Boxing
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights62
Wins53
Wins by KO31
Losses8
Draws1

Wilfred "Wilfredo" Benítez (born September 12, 1958) is an American-born Puerto Rican former professional boxer and the youngest world champion in the sport's history. Earning his first of three career world titles in separate weight divisions at the age of seventeen, he is best remembered as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities, along with his fights with Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996, he is considered among the best Puerto Rican boxers of all time, sharing the honor with Félix Trinidad, Wilfredo Gómez, Carlos Ortiz, Héctor Camacho, Edwin Rosario and Miguel Cotto.[1]

Early history

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Benítez turned pro at 15, a young prodigy who was managed by his father Gregorio Benítez, was a member of one of Puerto Rico's boxing families. His brothers Frankie and Gregory Benítez having also been top contenders in the 1970s. The Benítez troop was largely directed by their mother, Clara Benítez. Young Wilfred was nicknamed "The Radar" for his uncanny ability to foresee and dodge his opponent's blows.[2] He grew up going to a neighborhood boxing gym in New York, where he learned from watching his brothers and other local, renowned fighters practice their skills.

During the early stages of his professional career, Benítez often traveled to the Netherlands Antilles and New York City for fights. He divided his fights between those locations and Puerto Rico. The proximity of those two locations to Puerto Rico helped him start to become a household name in the island while building an international following at the same time. His speed, combined with punching power and surprising ring maturity for a 16-year-old, were enough to make him a world-ranked boxer by both the WBA and WBC, then boxing's only world-title recognizing organizations.

Professional boxing career

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On March 6, 1976, at age 17, with his high school classmates in attendance, he faced Lineal[3] and WBA Light Welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes. Known as Kid Pambele, the champion was 30 years old, had a record of 74-9-3 with 35 KO's, and had made 10 title defenses. The result was a fifteen-round split decision in Benítez's favor.[4] Benítez retained the championship three times, and then moved up to the welterweight division.

Moving up

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Benítez challenged Lineal[5] and WBC World Champion Carlos Palomino in San Juan. On January 14, 1979, Benítez won a fifteen-round split decision to become a world champion in a second weight division. Referee Zach Clayton scored the fight 145-142 in Palomino's favor, but judges Jay Edson and Harry Gibbs disagreed. Edson scored the bout 146-142 for Benítez. Gibbs also scored for Benítez, 146-143. After outpointing Harold Weston Jr. in his first defense (avenging an earlier draw), Benítez fought Sugar Ray Leonard in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 30, 1979.

Fighting Sugar Ray Leonard

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Main article: Wilfred Benítez vs. Sugar Ray Leonard

It was a scientific fight by both fighters, who demonstrated their defensive skills throughout the bout. Benítez suffered a third-round knockdown and a cut on his forehead, which was opened by an accidental head butt in round six. Leonard put Benítez down again in the fifteenth round and the referee stopped the fight with six seconds left in round fifteen. Leonard was ahead on all cards at the time of the stoppage. The scores were 137–133, 137–130 and 136–134, all for Leonard.[6]

Moving up again

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Main articles: Wilfred Benítez vs. Roberto Durán and Wilfred Benítez vs. Thomas Hearns

After that loss, Benítez again moved up in weight, and on May 23, 1981, at age 22, he became the youngest three-time world champion in boxing history by knocking out WBC World Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope in twelve rounds in Las Vegas. The knockout was named one of the knockouts of the year.

His next fight became a historic bout. On November 14, 1981, he fought future world champ Carlos Santos of Ceiba, Puerto Rico. It was the first world championship fight between two Puerto Ricans in boxing history. It was fought 3,000 miles away from Puerto Rico, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Benítez won a fifteen-round unanimous decision. His next defense was against Roberto Durán, whom Benítez defeated at Caesar's Palace on January 30, 1982 by a fifteen-round unanimous decision. On December 3, 1982, at the Carnival of Champions in New Orleans, Benítez lost the belt to another boxing legend, Thomas Hearns, by a fifteen-round majority decision.[7]

Career decline

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Benítez's career went downwards after the fight with Hearns, as did his lifestyle. In 1983, he lost a unanimous decision to Mustafa Hamsho. In 1984, he tried a comeback under the hand of Yamil Chade, but this proved unsuccessful as he was knocked out in the second round by Davey Moore. On November 28, 1986, with his health declining, Benítez went to Salta, Argentina to fight against middleweight Carlos Herrera. Benítez was stopped in seven rounds. But to make matters worse, his money for the fight was stolen by the promoter, along with his documents and passport, and he was stranded in Argentina for over a year. After eventually being tracked down, and after much government huddling and talks, he was finally able to fly back home to Puerto Rico in 1988.

In 1990, with his health in increasingly worse shape, Benítez moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he tried another comeback under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward, the Kronk trainer. This also proved unsuccessful, as he went 2-2 in his last four fights. His last bout took place in Winnipeg, Canada on September 18, 1990, six days after his 32nd birthday. He lost a ten-round decision against Scott Papasadora.

Professional boxing record

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62 fights 53 wins 8 losses
By knockout 31 4
By decision 22 4
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
62 Loss 53–8–1 Scott Papasodora UD 10 Sep 18, 1990 Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
61 Win 53–7–1 Sam Wilson UD 10 Aug 24, 1990 Regency Hotel, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
60 Loss 52–7–1 Pat Lawlor SD 10 May 23, 1990 Amigos Indoor Soccer Stadium, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
59 Win 52–6–1 Ariel Conde KO 7 (10), 1:47 Mar 8, 1990 Americana Motel, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
58 Loss 51–6–1 Carlos Herrera TKO 7 (10) Nov 28, 1986 Salta, Argentina
57 Win 51–5–1 Harry Daniels UD 10 Sep 17, 1986 Fifth Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
56 Win 50–5–1 Paul Whittaker UD 10 Jul 1, 1986 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
55 Loss 49–5–1 Matthew Hilton KO 9 (10), 2:59 Feb 15, 1986 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
54 Win 49–4–1 Kevin Moley UD 10 Aug 21, 1985 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Win 48–4–1 Danny Chapman RTD 7 (10), 3:00 Jul 6, 1985 Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C., U.S.
52 Win 47–4–1 Mauricio Bravo TKO 2 (10) Mar 30, 1985 Oranjestad, Aruba
51 Loss 46–4–1 Davey Moore TKO 2 (10), 1:18 Jul 14, 1984 Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco
50 Win 46–3–1 Stacy McSwain UD 10 Feb 11, 1984 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
49 Loss 45–3–1 Mustafa Hamsho UD 12 Jul 16, 1983 Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
48 Win 45–2–1 Tony Cerda UD 10 May 18, 1983 Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
47 Loss 44–2–1 Thomas Hearns MD 15 Dec 3, 1982 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Lost WBC light middleweight title;
For vacant The Ring light middleweight title
46 Win 44–1–1 Roberto Durán UD 15 Jan 30, 1982 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC light middleweight title
45 Win 43–1–1 Carlos Santos UD 15 Nov 14, 1981 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC light middleweight title
44 Win 42–1–1 Maurice Hope KO 12 (15), 1:56 May 23, 1981 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won WBC light middleweight title
43 Win 41–1–1 Pete Ranzany UD 10 Dec 12, 1980 Sacramento, California, U.S.
42 Win 40–1–1 Tony Chiaverini TKO 8 (10) Aug 1, 1980 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
41 Win 39–1–1 Johnny Turner TKO 9 (10), 2:57 Mar 16, 1980 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
40 Loss 38–1–1 Sugar Ray Leonard TKO 15 (15), 2:54 Nov 30, 1979 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
39 Win 38–0–1 Harold Weston UD 15 Mar 25, 1979 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
38 Win 37–0–1 Carlos Palomino SD 15 Jan 14, 1979 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
37 Win 36–0–1 Vernon Lewis UD 10 Dec 8, 1978 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 35–0–1 Randy Shields RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Aug 25, 1978 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
35 Win 34–0–1 Bruce Curry MD 10 Feb 4, 1978 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 33–0–1 Bruce Curry SD 10 Nov 18, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
33 Win 32–0–1 Ray Chavez Guerrero TKO 15 (15), 1:41 Aug 3, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 31–0–1 Easy Boy Lake TKO 1 (10), 2:48 Jul 1, 1977 Lionel Roberts Park, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
31 Win 30–0–1 Roberto Gonzalez KO 1 Jun 2, 1977 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
30 Win 29–0–1 Melvin Dennis UD 8 Mar 6, 1977 Correctional Facility Prison, Marion, Ohio, U.S.
29 Draw 28–0–1 Harold Weston PTS 10 Feb 2, 1977 New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 28–0 Tony Petronelli TKO 3 (15), 0:53 Oct 16, 1976 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
27 Win 27–0 Emiliano Villa UD 15 May 31, 1976 San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
26 Win 26–0 Antonio Cervantes SD 15 Mar 6, 1976 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
25 Win 25–0 Chris Fernandez PTS 10 Dec 13, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico
24 Win 24–0 Omar Ruben Realecio TKO 6 (10) Oct 20, 1975 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Marcelino Alicia TKO 2 (10) Sep 1, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico
22 Win 22–0 Young Woodall KO 4 Aug 19, 1975 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
21 Win 21–0 Eyue Jeudy KO 4 Aug 1, 1975 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
20 Win 20–0 Jim Henry TKO 8 Jun 28, 1975 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
19 Win 19–0 Angel Robinson Garcia PTS 10 Jun 9, 1975 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
18 Win 18–0 Santos Solis SD 10 May 5, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico
17 Win 17–0 Wilbur Seales TKO 4 Mar 31, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico
16 Win 16–0 Santiago Rosa KO 4 Feb 8, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico
15 Win 15–0 Francisco Rodriguez TKO 7 Jan 4, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico
14 Win 14–0 Lawrence Hafey UD 8 Dec 2, 1974 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Terry Summerhays TKO 6 (8), 1:51 Oct 25, 1974 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Al Hughes TKO 5 (8), 2:06 Sep 16, 1974 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Easy Boy Lake TKO 5 Aug 31, 1974 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
10 Win 10–0 Carlos Crispin TKO 3 Jun 26, 1974 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
9 Win 9–0 Ives St Jean KO 1 Jun 21, 1974 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
8 Win 8–0 Easy Boy Lake KO 5 May 11, 1974 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
7 Win 7–0 Juan Disla TKO 3 (10) Apr 30, 1974 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
6 Win 6–0 Victor Mangual PTS 8 Apr 1, 1974 San Juan, Puerto Rico
5 Win 5–0 Roberto Flanders KO 4 Feb 18, 1974 San Juan, Puerto Rico
4 Win 4–0 Joe York KO 2 Jan 26, 1974 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
3 Win 3–0 Hector Amadis KO 4 Jan 7, 1974 San Juan, Puerto Rico
2 Win 2–0 Jesse Torres KO 2 Nov 30, 1973 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
1 Win 1–0 Hiram Santiago KO 1 Nov 22, 1973 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Retirement and illness

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After retiring from boxing in late 1990, Benítez returned to Puerto Rico, where he lived with his mother Clara on a $200 a month pension provided by the World Boxing Council. Since 1989, Benítez has suffered from an incurable, degenerative brain condition caused by the blows that he took in the ring.[8]

In 1997, Benítez was moved to a public nursing home for medical reasons by his mother Clara, a licensed nurse.[9]

In 2002, Sugar Ray Leonard visited Benítez, who by this time had forgotten his identity.[10] During the visit, their fight was shown on television. Consequently, Benítez remembered the event and said to Leonard, "Ray, I did not train for that fight."[10]

In 2004, Benítez was diagnosed with diabetes, adding further complications to his worsening health. When his mother died in the summer of 2008, his sister Yvonne Benítez, took over his care.

In 2018, after Hurricane Maria destroyed his home and made it difficult for Benítez to receive therapy, an old friend and boxing mate, Luis Mateo, helped Benítez and his sister move to Chicago. It was their hope that in Chicago, Benítez would receive better health care.[8]

Support, recovery and public appearance

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Ring 10, a non-profit organization that helps impoverished former fighters, provides a monthly stipend to Benítez and established "The Wilfred Benítez Fund" to raise more money to aid the fallen champion.[11]

During 2012, Benítez was honored with a statue in Puerto Rico.[12]

On November 27, 2012, a smiling and healthy looking Benítez attended the funeral of Hector Camacho in Puerto Rico, arriving in a wheelchair. Benítez arrived accompanied by boxers Félix Trinidad, Wilfredo Gómez, and Alfredo Escalera. Surprising the mourners, Benítez rose to his feet for a boxing pose in front of Camacho's coffin.[13]

With the emotional and financial assistance of former Benitez sparring partner Luis Mateo and Chicago's Puerto Rican community, on June 1, 2018, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Wilfred Benitez, age 59, and his sister Yvonne Benitez, arrived in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent the first week in the hospital, then was moved to an apartment on Chicago's West Side. Donations from the Chicago Puerto Rican community helped pay for the plane tickets, and continue ongoing to provide expense money for the apartment, food, and other necessities, according to Mateo and Yvonne Benitez. Wilfred appears in overall better health, good spirits, has gained weight, tries to talk, and is more alert since his arrival in the mainland United States.[14]

Awards and recognitions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sánchez, José A. (November 25, 2012). "Entre leyendas Macho Camacho". El Nuevo Día. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  2. ^ "Daily Bread Mailbag: Canelo-Kovalev, Andre Ward, PEDs, More". November 2, 2019.
  3. ^ "The Lineal Junior Welterweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  4. ^ "Ranking the Most Unbreakable Records in Boxing". Bleacher Report.
  5. ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  6. ^ Times, Michael Katz; Special to The New York (December 1, 1979). "Leonard Stops Benitez in 15 To Win Welterweight Title Butt Hurts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 9, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "International Boxing Hall of Fame". Ibhof.com (1958-09-12). Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
  8. ^ a b Malagon, Elvia (June 18, 2018). "Friends bring famed, ailing Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benítez to Chicago for medical help". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  9. ^ Too Many Beatings; The Boxer's Disease Haunts Wilfred Benitez and His Family - The New York Times. Nytimes.com (1997-11-12). Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
  10. ^ a b José A. Sánchez Fournie (November 29, 2009). "Deportes". La batalla de los intocables: 30 años de Leonard-Benítez (in Spanish). Puerto Rico. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ Boxing 101, "Ring 10 Veterans Boxing Foundation: A Beta Bomb of Brotherhood, Part 1 - Our Suffering Champions", June 26, 2012
  12. ^ Colón, Rey (March 14, 2012). "Wilfredo Benítez honored with a statue in Puerto Rico". BoxingScene.com.
  13. ^ Hector Macho Camacho Memorial Service In Puerto Rico Photos and Images. Getty Images. Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
  14. ^ "Friends bring famed, ailing Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez to Chicago for medical help - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 18, 2018.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA super lightweight champion
March 6, 1976 - 1977
Stripped 		Vacant
Title next held by
Antonio Cervantes
The Ring super lightweight champion
March 6, 1976 - 1979
Vacated
Preceded by WBC welterweight champion
January 14, 1979 - November 30, 1979 		Succeeded by
The Ring welterweight champion
January 14, 1979 - November 30, 1979
Preceded by WBC super welterweight champion
May 23, 1981 – December 3, 1982 		Succeeded by
Records
Preceded by Youngest World Champion
March 6, 1976 – present
17 years 5 months 24 days old 		Incumbent
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