Wilfred Benitez (Early Career)

R/T,

Yes,,

December 8, 1978

Madison Square Garden, New York City

Wilfred Benitez was 'floored' by Vernon Lewis.

Vernon Lewis, a 29 year-old, 5'11" Welterweight from Trinidad and Tobago.
Was the Guyanan Welterweight Champion, and the #6 ranked British-Commonwealth Welterweight.
A straight-up fighter, who was very strong.
Listed record at the time of the bout; 25-5-1 (9 KO's).

Vernon had Wilfred in all sorts of trouble at the end of Round 4. He nailed him with
a vicious right upper-cut, that staggered Wilfred and had him in big trouble.

Wilfred recovered, to win a 10-Round Unanimous Decision.

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Newspaper Article interviews with;
Jim Jacobs and Bill Clayton (Wilfred's manager/advisors from 1978 thru 1983).

Jim Jacobs bought Wilfred's contract from his father Gregorio Benitez in October 1978,
for approximately $70,000.

Wilfred's first fight under Jim Jacob's was versus Vernon Lewis on December 8, 1978 at Madison Square Garden.

Yamil Chade, took over as Wilfred's manager in 1983, after he lost to Mustafa Hamsho in July 1983.

Also, articles and interviews from Jose Luis Vellon, former Puerto Rican amateur star boxer, and
Puerto Rican National Boxing coach.

 

R/T,

December 8, 1978

Vernon Lewis, was living in Brooklyn. He was from Trinidad and Tobago. He was
the Guyanan Welterweight Champion.

Trained by Syd Martin.

Age............29
Height........5' 11"
Record.......25-5-1 (9 KO's)

In 1977, he lost a 15-Round Decision to (Canada) Clyde Gray for the British-Commonwealth Welterweight Championship.

He was rated as the #6 Welterweight by the British Commonwealth Boxing Board.

A stand-up fighter. Physically strong, and despite only '9' Knockouts, had fairly
good power. A somewhat methodical fighter, who plodded straight ahead.

Was supoosed to have a powerful left hand, but he hurt Wilfred with the right hand
upper-cut.

At 2:31 of Round 4, with Wilfred backed along the ropes, Vernon nailed him with a right upper-cut,
that staggered Wilfred and had him on rubbery legs. He then pummeled Wilfred until the end of the Round.
It appeared that Wilfred's right glove had touched the canvas, but the Referee Johnny LoBianco did not
rule it a 'touch canvas knockdown'.

From Round 5 and on, it was Wilfred peppering Vernon Lewis with a variety of punches, occasionally mixing in
some hard punches.

Wilfred slipped to the canvas in Round 8. He backed into his own corner, and slipped on the water on the canvas.

Scoring; It was a Unanimous 10-Round Decision. (8-2-0 in Rounds).

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R/T

Frankie Benitez was the older brother (by 14-months) of Wilfred.

Like Wilfred, he was a very succesful Puerto Rican amateur.

And, like Wilfred, was forced to turn 'professional' by his father Gregorio at
age 15 1/2, on April 16, 1973.

At, 5' 6" - Frankie was a 135 lb. Lightweight. He had faster hands than Wilfred,
but he did not have as much power, or the natural 'cat-quick' defensive skills
as his younger brother.

By September 1975, 18 year-old Frankie had built up a record of 23-1-0 (15 KO's),
against the typical 'B' level opponents.

He was ranked as the #9 WBA and #10 WBC Lightweight, and 'Papa' Benitez was pushing
for his son to fight Roberto Duran in either a 'non-title' or WBA Lightweight Championship bout,
in New York or Puerto Rico.

There was also the possibility, of gettting a shot at WBA Light-Welterweight Champion
Antonio Cervantes for early-1976, providing Frankie could get ranked at the 140 lb. level.

 

R/T,

NYSAC (New York State Athletic Commssion) has a minimum age requirement of
18, to box professionally.

When 'Papa' Benitez brought the young 16 year-old Wilfred to Madison Square Garden to fight in
September 1974, Teddy Brenner helped doctor the paperwork to say Wilfred was 18 years-old, so he
could fight in New York.

They all knew what they were doing.

 

Marco,

I'm going to check on that Wilfred Benitez vs. Omar Realico bout in October 1975.

As far as the WBA Ratings, I don't think Wilfred was ranked in the Top 10, of the Light-Welterweights prior to that bout.

Wilfred's brother Frankie, was ranked as the #9 WBA / #10 WBC Lightweight, as he fought Chris Fernandez on the same fight card that night.

 

Marco,

Monday Night - October 20, 1975 (Felt Forum, New York City)

Frankie Benitez, Wilfred's older brother.

Age...............18
Height............5' 6"
Record...........23-1-0 (15 KO's)
Ranking..........#9 WBA / #10 WBC
Division..........135 lbs. (Lightweight)

Frankie was a 'quick-footed stylist' and a fast-handed boxer. Despite the '15 Knockouts', he really wasn't
a big puncher, as all of his 'Knockouts' were over 'Class B' opponents.

Frankie did have a couple of good victories in 1975;
* W Dec 10....Javier Ayala
* W Dec 10....Brooks Byrd
* W Dec 10....Miguel Mayon
* TKO 6.........Johnny Summerhayes

Papa Benitez was looking to get Frankie a shot at the WBA Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran,
for a Championship bout scheduled for December 20, 1975, and in Puerto Rico.

So in preparation for the December 20th 'Title Shot', they took a bout at the Felt Forum, versus
veteran Light-Welterweight - 'southpaw' Chris Fernandez (Dominican Republic) 25-11-4 (5 KO's).

Chris Fernandez, was a one-time Top Lightweight back in 1969/1970/1971, but since April 1970,
in '14-bouts', Chris had only gone 5-9-0 (0 KO's). A decent 'trial-horse' who usually can go the 'distance',
but one who does not pose a threat, as he had no punch.

The Fight

Chris Fernandez, using his 'southpaw' style, confused Frankie, by dropping in left-hand leads. Frankie,
at 5' 6" had trouble getting close to the 5' 9" Fernandez. By Round 4, Frankie was now fighting upright,
instead of his normal crouching-style. This allowed, Fernandez to contantly land his left-hand leads.

Desperately behind on points after 6-Rounds, Frankie changed his box-and-jab style, to that of a
slugger, in attempt to land a heavy punch, and turn the tide of the fight. This played right into
Chris Fernandez's hands, as he was able to pot-shot Frankie as he barreled in.

After 10-Rounds, Chris Fernandez was awarded a 'deserved' 10-Round Unanimous-Decision.
Scorecards; {6-3-1 / 6-3-1 / 7-3-0}

Frankie Benitez shot at the WBA Lightweight Championship, went out the 'proverbial' window.

Roberto Duran took on Leonico Ortiz in December 1975 - in Puerto Rico.

 

You Just Want To Cry,

Wilfred Benitez (2012)

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Marco,

The Main Event

Monday Night - October 20, 1975 (Felt Forum, New York)

Wilfred 'El Radar' Benitez (Puerto Rico)
Age............17
Height.........5' 9"
Weight........143 lbs.
Record........23-0-0 (19 KO's)
Division.......Light-Welterweight
Ranking.......#11 WBA / #16 WBC

Omar Ruben 'Piton' Realecio (Argentina)
Age............24
Height.........5' 7"
Weight........144 lbs.
Record........18-4-1 (7 KO's)
Division........Light-Welterweight
Ranking........#18 WBA / #22 WBC

In Wilfred 'El Radar' Benitez' 'first bout' against a 'Top 20' ranked Light-Weltwerweight, he faces
Argentinian-born (New York-based) southpaw - Omar 'Piton' Realecio.

Omar Realecio has won '10-straight' bouts within the last 12-months, and has been rated at the Top 20
level of both boxing organizations.

Omar is a slugging southpaw, who can be very tough on occassion. Though 'Piton' Realecio is not a
big-puncher, his left hand is an 'attention-getter' if he can land it. His style, is usually a straight-forward
attack, followed by right-jabs and left-crosses.

The Fight

Wilfred starts off in his usual fashion, by laying back and looking to counter-punch. Omar 'Piton' attempts to get close,
but over the first '3' Rounds (1, 2 and 3) he is met by solid left-jabs and right-cross counter-punches.

In Round 4, it appears to be the same pattern as the previous '3-Rounds, until 'Piton' lands a booming left-hand
lead whichs drops Wilfred to his hands. Though Wilfred is up immediately, the 17 year-old Wilfred is stunned.
Realecio attacks, and drives Wilfred up against the ropes where he unloads a 20-punch bombardment.
Just as Omar lands another hard left, Referee Johnny LoBianco steps in-between the fighters, and for some
bizaree reason, stops the action.

Referee LoBianco, then slowly brings both fighters out to center-ring, and says 'Box'.
Omar 'Piton' again drives Wilfred backwards, and starts to throw punches as the bell sounds, ending Round 4.

Round 5, Omar 'Piton' tried to pick up where he left off, but every time the action got 'heavy', Referee Johnny LoBianco
would jump in, and bring both boxers to 'center-ring'. Wilfred seemed to clear his head, and was boxing well, until
late in the Round, when Omar 'Piton' landed a left-hand lead and right-cross, which wobbled Wilfred's legs.

As Wilfred went backwards towards the ropes, Referee Johnny LoBianco stepped in, and prevented Omar 'Piton'
from landing a follow-up bomb. At that point, Johnny LoBianco issued Wilfred a 'standing 8-count'.

As Wilfred cleared his head, both fighters fought in-close, with Wilfred suprisingly getting the better of the action.
In the later part of Round 5, Wilfred was starting to open up, and was hurting Omar 'Piton' with right-hand leads.
By the end of the Round, it was Omar 'Piton' who was now in trouble.

Round 6. Wilfred wasted no time in going after Realecio, and quickly unloaded with a two-fisted attack. Two right hands
rocked Omar 'Piton', where upon Referee Johnny LoBianco quicky jumped in and stopped the bout at 0:41 of Round 6.

Both Omar Realecio and his corner 'protested' the quick stoppage, as they argued that they should have been
given an 8-Count, as Wilfred Benitez was issued in the previous Round.

 

Angel Espada,,,,,,,,

Sounds good, as he is a bit of a 'mystery man'.