Eusebio Pedroza

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Eusebio Pedroza
Statistics
Real nameEusebio Pedroza Silva
Nickname(s)El Alacrán
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach68+12 in (174 cm)
NationalityPanama Panamanian
Born(1956-03-02)March 2, 1956
Panama City, Panama
DiedMarch 1, 2019(2019-03-01) (aged 62)
Panama City, Panama
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins41
Wins by KO25
Losses6
Draws1
No contests1

Eusebio Pedroza (March 2, 1956 – March 1, 2019) was a Panamanian boxer who held the WBA and lineal featherweight championship from 1978 to 1985, having defended the title against 18 different contenders, more than any other boxer in featherweight history.[1] His cousin, Rafael Pedroza, was a world champion also, in the junior bantamweight division, although Rafael's reign as world champion was short-lived. Eusebio Pedroza died one day before his 63rd birthday.[2]

Biography[]

Pedroza started out as a professional boxer on December 1, 1973, with a four-round knockout win over Julio Garcia. His first 15 bouts were all in Panama. He went 14-1 over that span of fights, including a win over Jacinto Fuentes, a boxer who would later draw and lose to Wilfredo Gómez. His one defeat over that period of his career came to Alfonso Pérez by a knockout in three.

For fight number 16, Pedroza went to Mexicali, Mexico, in the last week of March 1976 to challenge WBA world bantamweight champion Alfonso Zamora for the world title. In his first championship try, Pedroza suffered his second loss, being knocked out in two rounds. After returning to Panama, he beat Pablo Jimenez by a decision in ten, then lost to Oscar Arnal in Venezuela by a knockout in six. He would not lose again for nine years.

Pedroza won three fights in 1977, two by knockout, and then, in April 1978, the WBA featherweight champion, Cecilio Lastra of Spain, travelled to Panama to defend his title on April 18 against Pedroza, who knocked him out in round 13 to become the new WBA featherweight champion.

Pedroza, during the next seven years, travelled the world to defend his title. Among 18 fighters Pedroza defended the title against were Enrique Solis in Puerto Rico, in a 15-round decision win, former world champion Royal Kobayashi (in Japan), knocked out in 14, Sa Wang Kim (in South Korea), knocked out in 8, former three-time world champion and fellow Hall of Famer Rubén Olivares, who lasted 12, Johnny Aba (in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea), who lost in 11, future world junior lightweight champion Rocky Lockridge, who went the distance with Pedroza in New Jersey and in Italy but lost by decision both times, Carlos Piñango (in Venezuela), knocked out in seven, Juan Laporte by decision, Jose Caba in Italy, also by decision, and Bernard Taylor in North Carolina by the way of draw. He also defended in his home country many times during that span, including a decision win over countryman and former WBA world Bantamweight champion Jorge Lujan, and became a household name in Latin America, his face appearing on the cover and posters of Ring En Español and Guantes magazines multiple times. Pedroza finally lost his title in England, being defeated by Ireland's Barry McGuigan in London in a 15-round decision.

During Pedroza's reign, talks surfaced of a unification bout against World Boxing Council and lineal featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez. These hopes were dashed when Sanchez died in an automobile accident in 1982. By virtue of his win over LaPorte, who succeeded Sanchez as WBC champion, Pedroza was recognized as the new lineal featherweight champion.

Between 1986 and 1992, Pedroza tried various comebacks, going 3–2 in total on those comeback attempts.

He retired with a record of 42 wins, 6 losses and one draw, with one no contest, and 25 wins by knockout. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.

Pedroza was one of a few, whose fights inspired young Mike Tyson.[3]

Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary
49 fights 41 wins 6 losses
By knockout 25 3
By decision 16 3
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
49 Loss 41–6–1 (1) Mexico Mauro Gutierrez SD 10 21 Nov 1992 United States Holy Redeemer HS Gymnasium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
48 Win 41–5–1 (1) Mexico Tomas Quinones KO 3 (8) 14 Mar 1992 France Espace Piscine, Antibes, France
47 Win 40–5–1 (1) United States Jorge Romero UD 10 15 Dec 1991 United States Convention Center, Miami Beach Florida, U.S.
46 Win 39–5–1 (1) Puerto Rico Tomas Rodriguez UD 10 25 Oct 1991 United States Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
45 Loss 38–5–1 (1) Venezuela Edgar Castro SD 10 9 Aug 1986 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
44 Loss 38–4–1 (1) Republic of Ireland Barry McGuigan UD 15 8 Jun 1985 United Kingdom Loftus Road Stadium, Shepherd's Bush, London, United Kingdom Lost WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
43 Win 38–3–1 (1) Panama Jorge Lujan UD 15 2 Feb 1985 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
42 Win 37–3–1 (1) United States Gerald Hayes TKO 10 (10) 23 Jun 1984 Panama Atlapa Convention Centre, Panama City, Panama
41 Win 36–3–1 (1) Venezuela Angel Mayor UD 15 27 May 1984 Venezuela Hotel del Lago Casino, Maracaibo, Venezuela Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
40 Win 35–3–1 (1) Dominican Republic Jose Caba UD 15 24 Oct 1983 Italy Palasport, Saint-Vincent, Italy Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
39 Win 34–3–1 (1) United States Rocky Lockridge UD 15 24 Apr 1983 Italy San Remo, Italy Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
38 Draw 33–3–1 (1) United States Bernard Taylor SD 15 16 Oct 1982 United States Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
37 NC 33–3 (1) Costa Rica Rudy Alpizar NC 2 (10) 17 Jul 1982 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
36 Win 33–3 Puerto Rico Juan Laporte UD 15 24 Jan 1982 United States Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBA featherweight title
35 Win 32–3 South Africa Bashew Sibaca KO 5 (15) 5 Dec 1981 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA featherweight title
34 Win 31–3 Venezuela Carlos Pinango KO 7 (15) 1 Aug 1981 Venezuela El Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela Retained WBA featherweight title
33 Win 30–3 Guyana Pat Ford KO 13 (15) 14 Feb 1981 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA featherweight title
32 Win 29–3 Costa Rica Raul Silva KO 5 (10) 17 Jan 1981 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
31 Win 28–3 United States Rocky Lockridge SD 15 4 Oct 1980 United States Legends Resort & Country Club, Vernon Township, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBA featherweight title
30 Win 27–3 South Korea Sa Wang Kim KO 8 (15) 20 Jul 1980 South Korea Jangchung Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea Retained WBA featherweight title
29 Win 26–3 Argentina Juan Domingo Malvarez KO 9 (15) 29 Mar 1980 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA featherweight title
28 Win 25–3 Japan Spider Nemoto UD 15 22 Jan 1980 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA featherweight title
27 Win 24–3 Papua New Guinea Johnny Aba TKO 11 (15) 17 Nov 1979 Papua New Guinea Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Retained WBA featherweight title
26 Win 23–3 Mexico Rubén Olivares TKO 12 (15) 21 Jul 1979 United States Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. Retained WBA featherweight title
25 Win 22–3 Panama Hector Carrasquilla TKO 11 (15) 7 Apr 1979 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA featherweight title
24 Win 21–3 Japan Royal Kobayashi RTD 13 (15) 9 Jan 1979 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA featherweight title
23 Win 20–3 Puerto Rico Enrique Solis UD 15 27 Nov 1978 Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA featherweight title
22 Win 19–3 Mexico Ernesto Herrera TKO 12 (15) 2 Jul 1978 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA featherweight title
21 Win 18–3 Spain Cecilio Lastra TKO 13 (15) 15 Apr 1978 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Won WBA featherweight title
20 Win 17–3 Panama Rodolfo Francis TKO 7 (10) 26 Nov 1977 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
19 Win 16–3 Panama Reynaldo Hidalgo TKO 9 (10) 14 May 1977 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
18 Win 15–3 Panama Jose Santana UD 10 2 Apr 1977 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
17 Loss 14–3 Venezuela Oscar Arnal KO 6 (10) 11 Jul 1976 Venezuela Caracas, Venezuela
16 Loss 14–2 Mexico Alfonso Zamora KO 2 (15) 3 Apr 1976 Mexico Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico For WBA Bantamweight title
15 Win 14–1 Panama Orlando Amores TKO 9 (10) 15 Nov 1975 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
14 Win 13–1 Dominican Republic Guillermo Almengot TKO 7 (10) 19 Jul 1975 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
13 Win 12–1 Panama Marcos Britton KO 4 (10) 26 Apr 1975 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
12 Win 11–1 Argentina Benicio Sosa UD 10 21 Mar 1975 Panama Feria de San Jose, David, Panama
11 Win 10–1 Panama Ernesto Mathias UD 10 22 Feb 1975 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
10 Loss 9–1 Colombia Alfonso Pérez KO 3 (10) 18 Jan 1975 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
9 Win 9–0 Panama Senen Rios TKO 6 (10) 14 Sep 1974 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
8 Win 8–0 Panama Vicente Worrel Jr KO 1 (10) 20 Jul 1974 Panama Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
7 Win 7–0 Panama Ernesto Davis KO 1 (8) 14 Jun 1974 Panama Gimnasio Neco de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama
6 Win 6–0 Panama Ricardo Vega TKO 2 (6) 4 May 1974 Panama Gimnasio Neco de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama
5 Win 5–0 Panama Jacinto Fuentes PTS 4 30 Mar 1974 Panama Gimnasio Neco de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama
4 Win 4–0 Panama Loitolier Chacon KO 1 (4) 2 Mar 1974 Panama Gimnasio Neco de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama
3 Win 3–0 Panama Jorge Bernal PTS 4 8 Feb 1974 Panama Gimnasio Neco de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama
2 Win 2–0 Panama Jose Santana UD 4 22 Dec 1973 Panama Gimnasio Neco de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama
1 Win 1–0 Panama Julio Garcia TKO 4 (4) 1 Dec 1973 Panama Gimnasio Escuela Normal, Santiago de Veraguas, Panama Professional Debut

See also[]

  • List of featherweight boxing champions

References[]

  1. ^ "Eusebio Pedrosa, p. 668" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Fallece el excampeón mundial de boxeo Eusebio Pedroza | la Prensa Panamá". March 2019.
  3. ^ Mike Tyson - 1987 Des Lynam Interview - part 2

External links[]

Achievements
Preceded by WBA featherweight Champion
April 15, 1978 - June 8, 1985
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Salvador Sánchez
The Ring featherweight champion
September 22, 1982 - June 8, 1985
Retrieved from ""