Pipino Cuevas vs. Randy Shields (July 1979)

[Senor Pepe']

One of those bouts, where the Champion was expected to 'blow-out'
the Challenger.

The after-fight analysis,

'What the hell just happened.'

Monday Night - July 30, 1979

International Amphitheatre - Chicago, Illinois

Co-Promoter; Ernie Terrell

Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas, the 21 1/2 year-old - WBA Welterweight Champion
should have an easy 'Mexican Fiesta' for his 9th Title Defense.

Pipino's previous '8' Challengers, and his Title winning effort have all
ended in 'knockouts'. '9' Title fights with '9' knockouts, an incredible
feat for such a young fighter.

With a record of 24-6-0 (22 KO's), there doesn't seem to be anybody
in the WBA rankings that can give 'Pipino' a challenge.

His next opponent, California boxer, the tall, awkward and light-punching
#10 WBA-ranked -Randy Shields. On paper, Randy should not even force a 'heavy bead of sweat'
on the murderous punching Mexican, and many don't think the
bout will go past the 4th Round.

Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas at the weigh-in (146 1/2 lbs.)

[Senor Pepe']

Scorecards;
Referee - Luis Salbaran (Venezuela)....72-71 (4-3-8 in Rounds)...Pipino Cuevas
Judge - Art Tremari (Illinois)...............73-67 (8-2-5 in Rounds)...Pipino Cuevas
Judge - Marco A. Rodriguez (Mexico)....71-70 (5-4-6 in Rounds)..Pipino Cuevas

Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas injured his left hand in the 2nd Round, when he landed a punch
on the back of Randy Shields head.

Randy Shields injured his right hand in the 3rd Round.

Randy Shields suffered a cut right eye from a 'Pipino' Cuevas left hook in Round 4.

Randy Shields 'bloodied' the nose of the Champion in Round 9, with a sharp right hand lead.

Sonny Shields (Randy's father and manager). 'That was without a doubt, the worst Referee
I have ever seen. Cuevas hit Randy at least '10' times below the waist, and each time it
was intentional. He didn't give 'Pipino' one warning.'

Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas. 'I won the fight with one hand. I just kept throwing the right hand.
It was my second toughest fight I have ever had. I will give Randy a rematch, and knock
him out in '2' next time.'

[Senor Pepe']

Randy Shields,

July 1979

The 23 1/2 year-old, California Welterweight, had posted a record of 33-5-1 (17 KO's)
entering his Championship bout with WBA Champion - Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas.

The 5' 11 1/2" tall 'string-bean', is a very good boxer, but does have a lack of strength
and his punching power is suspect.

During a previous '5-bout run' in 1978, Randy went 1-3-1, losing to Pete Ranzany, Ray Leonard
and Wilfred Benitez, dropping him to the rim of the Top 10 Welterweights at the end
of 1978.

Randy, who was having trouble matching up with 'strong' Welterweights with his 'skinny frame',
dropped back to down to 140 lbs. Light-Welterweight.

On December 14, 1978, a 138 lb. Randy Shields did score an 'impressive win', by stopping (KO 4) tough
Mexican Light-Welterweight - #8 WBA-ranked - David 'Lenteja' Madrid 37-5-0 (22 KO's) in California.

The victory moved Randy to 32-5-1 (17 KO's), and the #6 WBA Light-Welterweight, and with a
'view' towards WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes.

[MMJoe]

I remember that fight when it happened, I was very surprised to hear of anyone lasting the distance with Cuevas at that time in his career. Bravo to Shields for his guts and chin for being able to stand up against the sledge hammering fists of Cuevas.

[Senor Pepe']

On January 29, 1979

On the Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas vs. Scott Clark (WBA Welterweight Championship)
undercard.

Randy took on 'Mexican' veteran Welterweight, and one-time title challenger,
Jose Palacios 39-16-1 (24 KO's).

Jose Palacios was a 'Pipino' Cuevas 'stablemate', but also a fading contender.

Randy Shields fought a good smart bout, and won a convincing 10-Round Decision.

That victory bumped Randy to the #10 WBA Welterweight. 6-months later, he was
a Challenger and a 10-1 Underdog - for 'Pipino' Cuevas WBA Welterweight Championship
in Chicago on July 30, 1979.

The bout had been postponed '4-times', due to torn ligaments and tendons in Randy's
left arm.

Randy Shields, at 142 1/2 lbs.

[Senor Pepe']

Thanks to Kiki

The 'boxing pundits' said after the bout, that if Randy Shields had any power in his right hand
(which was injured in the 3rd Round), he would have stopped Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas that night in Chicago.

After the bout, Pipino Cuevas said, 'I was never hurt by his right hand leads.'

Randy Shields, 'I hurt my right hand in the 3rd-Round, but I kept throwing it. I will keep throwing it
when its broken, I make no excuses.'