Hector Carrasquilla,, At one-time considered Panama's 'most exciting young boxer'. After an exciting and successful amateur career, turned professional on April 3, 1976, just 27-days before his 16th birthday on April 30. Was a 5' 8" tall, lean and powerful one-punch knock-out artist..... 'When he hit you,,,,,, you went out.' Started off as a Bantamweight, but quickly moved up to 122 lbs. (Super-Bantamweight). By July 1977, and only a 'professional' for 17-months, reeled off '10' straight wins, all by knock-out. In August 1977, the WBA (Panama-based) created a 'new division', the 122 lb. Super-Bantamweight Division, to match it's WBC counter-part who created their 122 lb. weight divsion in April 1976. To set up a WBA-Eliminator, the 'WBA' ranked Hector Carrasquilla in the #3 position, despite only having '10' bouts and at only an age of 17 years and 4 months. In the #2 WBA position, was Venezuela's Jesus Esparragoza 19-0-0 (15 KO's), an equally talented and hard-puncher too. On Saturday - August 27, 1977, in a WBA-Eliminator, held in Puerto Rico, the 17 year-old Carrasquilla stopped (TKO 3) Jesus Esparragoza in a one-sided bout, by flooring the Venezuelan Super-Bantamweight '5' times, in an 'impressive' display of quickness and knock-out punching ability. Alexis Arguello who was also on the bill, in an undercard bout, witnessed the bout and stated; 'That was the most awesome display of raw power and speed, that I have ever seen from a young fighter.' The victory, 'thrust' the 17 year-old Hector Carrasquilla to 11-0-0 (11 KO's), and the 'favorite' to win the new WBA Super-Bantamweight Championship, to be held in Panama on November 26, 1977. In his brief career, Hector has scored '9' Knock-outs within '2-rounds' or less, and in his other bouts, he has scored '3rd-round' and '7th-round' Knock-outs. The Panamanian has only '28' rounds of professional experience. What Hector Carrasquilla was attempting to do, was to be the 'second youngest ever World Champion' at 17 years and 7 months. The youngest Champion, Puerto Rico's Wilfred Benitez, accomplished that feat by winning a Championship at age 17 and 5 months.
His opponent for the November 26, 1977 bout to be held in Panama - For the 'newly created' WBA Super-Bantamweight Championship Soo-Hwan Kong (South Korea) The 27 year-old, 5' 7" - 122 lb. Super-Bantamweight is the #1 WBA Challenger. Soo-Hwan, is the former WBA Bantamweight Champion, and is experienced with a record of 39-4-3 (13 KO's). He has fought, WBA Champion Alfonso Zamora twice (lost both bouts), and has been in the ring with several World-Class 118 lb. and 122 lb. fighters. Soo-Hwan is a 'tough-and-gritty' fighter, who is durable and has strong endurance. Though not a hard-puncher, he is a busy fighter who can throw punches-in-bunches. A professional since 1969, in his 8-years, he has fought and defeated World Class fighters; Arnold Taylor, Fernando Cabanela, Venice Borkhorsor and Dong-Hyun Kim. Soo-Hwan won his WBA-Elimination bout on October 10, 1977, when he defeated (W Dec 12) #4 WBA Challenger, Japan's Futaro Tanaka 13-4-5. Though Soo-Hwan Hong is the far more experienced fighter '46' professional bouts, to Hector Carrasquilla's '11 professional bouts, the betting-odds favor the younger and harder-puching Panamanian, as the bout will be held in his backyard of Panama City. If, Soo-Hwan can extend the fight past '5' rounds, the odds should favor him, as his experience and endurance will give him a great advantage over the young Carrasquilla, as the Panamanian has only had to go past '6' Rounds' once in his brief career.
Saturday - November 26, 1977 WBA Super-Bantamweight Championship Bout held at, the Gimnasio Nuevo Panama Attendance; 18,000 #1 WBA - Soo-Hawn Hong (South Korea) 39-4-3 (13 KO's) {Age; 27 - Height; 5' 7"} vs. #2 WBA - Hector Carrasquilla (Panama) 11-0-0 (11 KO's) {Age; 17 - Height; 5' 8"} Round 1 Both fighters attack and start throwing bombs at each other at center-ring. Soo-Hwan, is a bit stronger, at a muscular 5' 7", but Carrasquilla is the harder and faster puncher, at a lean 5' 8". The 18,000 Panamanian fans are in a 'frenzy' cheering on their 'Wunderkind' Carrasquilla is landing hard left hooks, which bounce off Soo-Hwan's head, and each blow seems to stun the 'muscular' South Korean. But Soo-Hwan will not back-off and maintains his aggressive non-stop punching style. By mid-round, Soo-Hwan is starting to push the young 17 year-old Panamanian back a bit, with left and right hooks to the body. Soo-Hwan shakes Carrasquilla a bit with a left-hook/right hand to the head, which drives him back to the ropes. Both go toe-to-toe, and it as an 'even battle', as Carrasquilla's speed is bothering the tough Soo-Hwan. The last 30-seconds, Soo-Hwan is able to get a slight-edge, as his high-punch count and left-hooks to the body do not allow Carrasquilla to set-up to unload is deadly punches. Round 1....... Scored for Soo-Hwan Hong {10-9}. Round 2 Soo-Hwan starts out fast, and takes his 'aggressive approach' by winging hooks to the skinny body of Carrasaquilla. Both fighters exchange, and the lead switches back and forth over the 'first minute'. Carrasquilla is willing to get in close and absorb Soo-Hwan's body punches, while trying to land his own 'crushing' left hooks. Suddenly, the 17 year-old shoots a 'lighting' right hand, followed by 'two sledge-hammer' left hooks to Soo-Hwan's head. The South Korean crashes hard to the canvas at the 1:15 mark of the round. The Gimnasio Nuevo crowd goes 'crazy'. Soo-Hwan is stunned badly, and rises up at the '4', as Referee Jay Edson finishes the '8-count'. Carrasquilla attacks quickly with a volley, as Soo-Hwan decides to fight back instead of trying to clear his head. In a 'flash', the young 17 year-old fires another 'lightning' left-right to Soo-Hwans's head, and the South Korean crashes again at the 1:33 mark. Soo-Hwan rises at '6'. The Gimnasio Nuevo Arena has 'erupted'. Again, the South Korean tries to attack, but walks into a 'barrage', and is floored yet again by a 'wicked left hook' at the 1:57 mark. Soo-Hwan still stunned, rises at '3'. The Panamanin fans are out of their seats, 'screaming' for the young Carrasquilla to 'finish' the South Korean. One more time, the #1 WBA Challenger Soo-Hwan goes after his Panamanian opponent, but carrasquilla is waiting, and fires a 'hard' right-left. Soo-Hwan crashes a '4th-time'. Amazingly, the South Korean rises at '6', and tells Referee Jay Edson that he wants to continue. The Referee waves Carrasquilla in. The noise in the Arena is deafening, as Carrasquilla moves in for the 'finisher'. Still with 40-seconds left in the round, Soo-Hwan tries to pressure Carrasquilla, but is met with hard counters, which hurt the South Korean. Soo-Hwan scores with several body punches, but Carrasquilla nails Soo-Hwan with a 'lightning left-hook' which staggers him. Another 3-punch flurry backs Soo-Hwan into the ropes, and Carrasquilla lands a 'crushing right-hand' that buckles Soo-Hwan's legs at the 2:42 mark. Soo-Hwan is pinned on the ropes, and absorbs several more hard punches while Referee Jay Edson looks in, and almost stops the bout. Soo-Hwan just makes it to the bell ending Round 2. The Panamanian fans are delirious, jumping up and down, cheering for their young Hero. Round 2...... Scored for Hector Carrasquilla {10-4} Round 3 Both fighters come out quickly, and meet at center-ring. Suprisingly, Soo-Hwan is the aggresive one and fires punches, scoring with a good left-hook to the body. Carrasquilla measures Soo-Hwan, but the South Korean wings a wild right, then follows up with a 'booming' left-hook to the jaw, that hurts Carrasquilla at the 0:16 mark. Soo-Hwan sensing that the young Panamanian is hurt, charges in, and lands a hard left-right that staggers Carrasquilla at the 0:21 mark. Soo-Hwan, then drives Carrasquilla across the ring, and near the 'neutral-corner'. There he pins the hurt 17 year-old, and fires lefts and rights 'relentlessly' at the dazed fighter. Carrasquilla tries to fight back while his back is on the ropes, but Soo-Hwan will not stop, and lands a double left-hook to the body, that sends Carrasquilla to the middle-rope, where he is hung up. With a 'wide-open' and stunned Carrasquilla in front of him, Soo-Hwan delivers a 'smashing' left hook to the Panamanian's jaw, who then crashes onto his back. Soo-Hwan raises his hands, as he walks back to a 'neutral-corner', while Referee Jay Edson counts out a 'knocked-out' Hector Carrasquilla at 1:04 of Round 3. The Panamanian fans in the Gimnasio Nuevo Arena are 'stunned into disbelief', as Carrasquilla's cornerman rush to the aid of their 'knocked-out' fighter.
For the 'newly created' WBA Super-Bantamweight Championship #1 Soo-Hwan Hong (South Korea) vs. #2 Hector Carrasquilla (Panama) Saturday - November 26, 1977 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City Referee Jay Edson, did a remarkable job. [url] This content is protected [/url]
At that time in 1977, The 17 1/2 year-old Hector Carrasquilla, was the '2nd' most popular athelete in Panama. He was a 'Wunderkind' and many believed he would go on to be a 'Multiple Champion', eventually winning the Featherweight and Super-Featherweight titles. At 5' 8" and 122 lbs. at age 17 1/2, he was obviously going to grow bigger. Not Here Though,,,,,,,,'Hector Has been Knocked-Out' This content is protected
Carrasquilla was definitely a major talent, just never recovered fully from the Hong disaster.In retrospect it was a fight taken too soon, but he had looked so good, overconfidence had set in with his connections. He fought quite well in his feather challenge against Pedroza before being worn down.An underrated classy fight that.
This is Exhibit A against the three knockdown rule, and yes, a case could be made this was the greatest comeback knockout win, at least of which there is colour footage with live sound. To get up from four knockdowns like that to immediately stun and wipe out the apparent conquering hero from the outset of the following round for the full count before that hero's rabidly partisan fans...when has something else like that ever happened in title competition? And yes, Jay Edson's job in this one rivals Jack Sharkey's in Moore-Durelle I. (When was the last time a referee showed such intelligent and appropriate restraint in a major bout?)
Duo, Correct,,,,,,,,,Referee Jay Edson checked out Soo-Hwan Hong very closely after each 'knockdown'. And each time, Soo-Hwan responded with a 'nod' indicating a 'yes' that he wanted to continue. Amazingly, that Jay Edson did not stop the bout in the 'frenzied' Panama Arena, with 18,000 screaming fans jumping up and down. That took BALLS.
G-Man,,,, Wilfred Benitez won a World Championship at age; {17 years, 5 months, 22 days} Hector Carrasquilla was attempting a World Championship at age; {17 years, 6 months, 26 days} Both a remarkable achievement, and attempt. Carrasquilla was not 'pushed too early' as he was regarded as a 'special talent' with lightning fast fists, excellent boxing skills, and knockout power. He had 'top notch' management, and the best boxing trainers in Panama.
I have his fight with Pedroza (I'll upload it tonight) and you see how less fluid he was than his fellow Panamanian stylists. Certainly competitive there, though Pedroza just pulls away with the exchanges, remaining sharp when Carrasquilla has lost his snap. A phenom. Not all that durable though IMO.
Had he gotten by Soo-Hwan Hong,,,,,,, Which he was within a 'thin whisker' of doing - They had it all worked out for Hector - An early 1978 WBA defense versus the Central American Super-Bantamweight Champion, the 'light punching' Columbian, Nestor 'Baba' Jiminez. Then the former WBA Bantamweight Champion Alfonso Zamora in the Spring of 1978. Then, at age 18, the move up to 126 lbs. The kid did have talent.
