40 years ago Miguel "Happy" Lora claimed the WBC Bantamweight title from titlist Daniel Zaragoza in Miami, Florida. Here Lora exhibits his superior speed, elusive footwork, slick defense, sharp counters, and ring artistry to outclass Zaragoza in dominant fashion. Lora would even knock Zaragoza down three times and nearly stopping him but Zaragoza's determination and toughness would help him get through the entire fight on his feet while Lora coasts through an easy decision win. Zaragoza would then move up to 122 and become a long reigning champ there while Lora remained in BW as champion for 3 more years before losing it to Raul Perez. This content is protected
He's arguably the best fighter from Colombia alongside Antonio Cervantes and Rodrigo Valdez. Awesome fighter in his prime.
You do know that in Colombia, he also became a soap opera star, right? And this is important because in Latin America, even in Puerto Rico, soap operas are where you want to be as an actor. Soap opera stars get more fame and money than movie stars there. They become legends. And there is something else: this caused a mini-scandal because one of his last fights there was sold out as a real fight and people came and became unwilling extras. Th fight was over in round two and it was so obvious it was choreographed that the crowds started throwing stuff at the ring and made a riot. The cameras were acting as a live show and also as a recorder for the soap opera, where Lora played a thinly veiled version of himself. The fight still counts as a win for Lora because, 1) the Colombian Boxing Federation, maybe an unwilling participant themselves but maybe paid off by production (who knows?) approved of it and 2) there is no way the other boxer used-who may or may not have known he was also going to be used as an extra, but it was so choreographed that he had to know) could beat Lora. Also....Lora is my ex sister-in-law's first name! LOL