Sugar Ray Leonard vs Wilfred Benitez - boxing - WBC world welterweight title
- 3 months ago
Wilfred Benitez defended his WBC world welterweight title against Sugar Ray Leonard
Date: November 30, 1979
Venue: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Benitez stance: orthodox
Leonard stance: othordox
Wilfred Benitez turned pro when he was just 15, and a year later, he had world rankings from trhe WBA and WBC. Benitez won his first world title at the age of 17 - a record for the sport - when he gained a split decision over Antonio Cervantes to win the WBA light welterweight title in 1976. After two defences and nine non-title bouts, Benitez won the WBC welterweight title with a split decision over Carlos Palomino in 1979. In his first defence, Benitez avenged the only blemish on his record - a draw against Harold Weston - when he beat Weston on points.
Sugar Ray Leonard was a gifted amateur who became Olympic light welterweight champion at the 1976 games in Montreal. Leonard was supposed to retire from boxing and go to college, but several family issues forced a change of plans, and Leonard turned pro in 1977. Leonard made steady progress in his first 25 bouts, beating a series of journeymen and fringe contenders. His best wins were a tenth round stoppage of Floyd Mayweather snr and a points win over Adolfo Viruet.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Carlos Palomino - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/406
Sugar Ray Leonard - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/269
Date: November 30, 1979
Venue: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Benitez stance: orthodox
Leonard stance: othordox
Wilfred Benitez turned pro when he was just 15, and a year later, he had world rankings from trhe WBA and WBC. Benitez won his first world title at the age of 17 - a record for the sport - when he gained a split decision over Antonio Cervantes to win the WBA light welterweight title in 1976. After two defences and nine non-title bouts, Benitez won the WBC welterweight title with a split decision over Carlos Palomino in 1979. In his first defence, Benitez avenged the only blemish on his record - a draw against Harold Weston - when he beat Weston on points.
Sugar Ray Leonard was a gifted amateur who became Olympic light welterweight champion at the 1976 games in Montreal. Leonard was supposed to retire from boxing and go to college, but several family issues forced a change of plans, and Leonard turned pro in 1977. Leonard made steady progress in his first 25 bouts, beating a series of journeymen and fringe contenders. His best wins were a tenth round stoppage of Floyd Mayweather snr and a points win over Adolfo Viruet.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Carlos Palomino - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/406
Sugar Ray Leonard - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/269