(Nearly) unique facts about a boxer (not fit for other fighters)?

You know there is evidence Wilfred (Wilfredo) was actually 19-20.

 

The following was written by Jose Corpas and is part of a longer article. Corpas has written a biography about "Panama" Al Brown and a book entitled "New York City's Greatest Boxers" He also writes for numerous boxing web sites.


Exactly how old was Wilfred Benitez when Gregorio moved the family to Puerto Rico?

When Lou Duva of Garden Promotions sponsored the National AAU tournament between the US amateur team and the Puerto Rican national team at the Paterson Armory just before Christmas 1972, the bantamweight was reported as “16-year-old sensation, Wilfredo Benitez.” When he boxed for the first time as a professional in New York in 1974, his reported age was 18. That would’ve made him 19 or 20, depending on his birth month, when he became champion after defeating Antonio Cervantes in 1976.

The story goes that the “Wilfred-o” Benitez who was billed as 16 in 1972 and 18 in 1974 really was Wilfred – without the “O” – and that he was born on September 12, 1958. Never mind that Gregorio called him Wilfredo and not Wilfred because, he said, it was easier for him to pronounce. Never mind too that the few available records from the now-closed PS 124 show a Wilfredo Benitez born in 1956 rather than a Wilfred born in 1958. September 12, 1958 is the date his family celebrates. It’s the date that makes him 17 when he defeated Cervantes and justifies the sign in front of his home that reads, “Campeon Mas Joven 17” – the youngest champion. It was a fake baptismal certificate with the misspelled name that caused the confusion according to Gregorio. Those backyard sessions at whatever age Benitez was helped create a fighter Jose Torres wrote was “Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Joe Louis all in one.” Those sessions undoubtedly contributed to the poor state of health he was in shortly after his career ended.

 

@Fogger Posted it.

 

think marcos villasana won his world title at the 5th attempt

 

Henry Armstrong holding 3 titles in the original 8 divisions simultaneously.

 

Yes, Walcott's 5 attempts to win a world title is indeed a record - which has since been tied by several other boxers.

In addition to Villasana we have:
Jose Lopez
Luis Alberto Lazarte
Rodel Mayol
German Torres
Toshiaki Nishioka
Samporn Seeta

 

Andy “Hawk” Price held the distinction at one point the 1970s of having defeated both reigning champions: Carlos Padilla (WBC) and Pipino Cuevas (WBA).

Both wins came against his foes before they became champions.

 

Thanks for the link. I had never known who the youngest was before Benitez. To find out that it was Tony Canzoneri is pretty cool.

 

Art Aragon dated both Marilyn Monroe and Jane Mansfield.
So while he didnt win the title in the ring he certainly won it outside of it.

 

- Manny Pacquiao is the only 8 division champion in boxing history.
- Lennox Lewis is the only fighter to have avenged all his loses.

 

Willie Pep started his career 62-0. Not bad.

Marcianos reach is the smallest in hw history at 68”

wouldn’t Tunney count? Or does one loss not count have to be multiple?

 

Forgot about Tunney. Yeah you're right.