Alfredo 'El Salsero' Escalera, Another talented Puerto Rican Champion, that was trained by Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez. The WBC Super-Featherweight Champion, who entered the ring with a snake coiled around his neck. A 5' 8" boxer-puncher, who could strike quickly like a 'viper snake'. His punches not only had power, but were so razor-sharp that his fists could shred the skin off his opponents face. What Alfredo could do, was deliver his punches from all angles, and with his gifted speed and leverage, could stun his opponents so quick, they never knew what hit them. Besides being an excellent fighter, Alfredo had a tremendous heart, and was a courageous battler in the ring. This content is protected
Alfredo Escalera, Was the 1970 New York Golden Gloves Champion at Featherweight. The 18 year-old had an amateur record of 37-0 with (25 KO's). Starting off his career in September 1970 as an 18 1/2 year-old Super-Featherweight, and ran a record of 12-5-0 (3 KO's) by April 1973. But under the guidance of Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez, Alfredo went undefeated in his next '15-bouts' going 16-0-0 (15 KO's) thru October 18, 1974 - with all his bouts taking place in his home-country of Puerto Rico. Included were wins over World-Rated fighters, * Miguel Montilla * Frankie Otero * Miguel Mayan * Sigfredo Rodriguez * Ricardo Arrendondo * Omar Ruben Realecio The 22 1/2 year-old had brought his record up to 28-5-0 (18 KO's), and was ranked as the Top #1 WBC Super-Featherweight. Crazily, Alfredo put out a challenge to WBA Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran, by stating that 'he was not afraid of the Panamanian, as he was just as strong as Roberto.' But on October 28, 1974 - Alfredo travelled to Mexico, and was 'upset' in a 10-Rounder by 'unranked' Lightweight - Guillermo 'Memo' Cruz 16-2-0 (6 KO's), which ended his 'winning streak'. This content is protected
While still in Mexico,,,, December 14, 1974 Alfredo fought on the 'main undercard bout' of the Jose Napoles vs. Horacio Agustin Saldano World Welterweight Championship bot at the Palacio de Deporte. Alfredo at (132 lbs.) campaigning at Lightweight, got scorched, when he was 'stopped' (L KO 2), when he walked into a right-hand by 'unranked' (137 lb.) Mario Roman 17-4-1 (11 KO's). The 'loss' dropped Escalera to 29-7-0, and out of the Top 10, and with little chance of challenging for the Lightweight Championship. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two-months later on February 24, 1975 , Alfredo got revenge, when Mario Roman 17-4-1 (12 KO's) travelled to Puerto Rico for the rematch. This time a more prepared Alfredo ripped Mario Roman to shreds, stopping him by a (TKO 3). With little chance of getting a Lightweight bout, Alfredo moved back down to 130 lbs., and on March 31, 1975 - he struggled to a 10-Round Draw with Puerto Rican Featherweight - Francisco Villegas 31-5-2 (7 KO's). The 23 year-old, with a record of 30-7-1 (20 KO's), was ranked as the #9 WBC Super-Feathwerweight, but had gone 2-2-1 in his last '5-bouts', when he got the call to be an opponent (challenger) for WBC Super-Featherweight Champion - Japan's Kuniaki Shibata.
July 5, 1975 Kasamatsu Park Gym - Mita, Japan Attendance; 7000 #9 WBC-ranked Challenger - Alfredo Escalera scored a 'major upset' when he 'knocked out (KO 2) WBC Super-Feathwerweight Champion - Kuniaki Shibata. The partisan Japanese fans were stunned, as the 'heavily-favored' Champion was expected to have an easy title defense versus the 23 year-old Puerto Rican. Kuniaki Shibata won the first round, as he was able to score with a few decent punches on his 4" taller Challenger, by jumping his way inside and firing quick punches. But, in Round 2, a very patient Escalera utilized his 4" reach advantage, and waited for an opening on the shorter Champion. The Champion in the meantime, continued to dart around, trying to look for an opening. On the other side, Escalera was 'measuring' Shibata, looking to unload a heavy punch. Then suddenly, at the 2:37 Mark, Escalera unloaded a tremendous right hand to the jaw of Shibata, which stunned the Champion. From there, Escalera unleashed a 19-punch barrage, while landing several pin-point punches on the Champion's chin while driving him across the ring. As a 'stunned' Shibata spun around the Challenger, Alfredo then turned and ripped a solid left-right to the point of the Champion's chin, which dropped Shibata on his back at the 2:46 Mark. Referee - Ken Morita counted out the Champion at 2:56 of Round 2. Alfredo Escalera, 'I landed so many punches, I wasn't sure which one knocked him out.' The Newspaer headline should have stated... 'Escalera Claims Junior Lightweight Title' This content is protected
He sure was fun to watch...everything from the entrance with the snake to his style in the ring. Those were the days, with free tv, 15 rounds and everything.
Red Cobra, Yes, Alfredo Escalera was a TV Fighter. Always entertaining, with the pet Boa Constrictor coiled around his neck. A very good fighter, who was 'not' afraid of anybody. Some claim his 'upset' victory (KO 2) over Kuniaki Shibata in July 1975 was 'no big deal', as the hard-punching Japanese fighter had a 'questionable' chin. But, nobody expected a 2-Round blow-out. Too bad we never saw him versus - Danny 'Little Red' Lopez or Bobby Chacon at 130 lbs. This content is protected
Got to give Alfredo Escalera credit, He was one of the 'few' Champions from Puerto Rico who was willing to travel to the other fighter's home country to fight for a World Championship. July 5, 1975..................Mita, Japan..............(KO 2).....Kuniaki Shibata September 20, 1975.......Caracas, Venezuela...(Draw 15)...Leonel Hernandez December 12, 1975........Oslo, Norway...........(TKO 9).....Sven-Erik Paulsen --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 25, 1976.........San Juan, Puerto Rico.....(TKO 13)....Jose Fernandez April 1, 1976.................Nara, Japan.................(TKO 6).....Shinichi 'Buzzsaw' Yamabe July 1, 1976..................Nara, Japan................(W Unan. Dec 15).. Shinichi 'Buzzsaw' Yamabe September 18, 1976.....San Juan, Puerto Rico.......(TKO 13)....Ray Lunny III November 30, 1976....Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....(W Split-Dec 15)...Tyrone Everett
Clearly, one of the most controversial Championship Bout's of the 1970's. WBC Super-Featherweight Championship Champion - Alfredo Escalera vs. #1 WBC - Tyrone Everett The Champion will be making his '7th-Defense' of his crown. Tale of the Tape Alfredo Escalara (Puerto Rico) Record......36-7-2 (25 KO's) Age..........24 years, 8 months Height.......5' 8" Tyrone Everett (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Record......34-0-0 (18 KO's) Age..........23 years, 7 months Height.......5' 4" This content is protected
November 30, 1976 The Spectrum - Philadelphia, Pennsyvania Alfredo Escalera retained his WBC Championship by a 'controversial' 15-Round Split-Decision over home-town favorite Tyrone Everett. The Philadelphia Spectrum fans (16,019) witnessed what they thought was a remarkable boxing performance by their local fighter. Every ringside reporter had Tyrone Everett winning on their scorecard, and most had the Philadelphia Super-Featherweight winning the bout by a solid 4-points. Scorecards; Referee, Ray Solis (Mexico)................148-146 (4-2-9 in Rounds) Tyrone Everett Judge, Ismael Rodriguez (Puerto Rico)...146-143 (7-4-4 in Rounds) Alfredo Escalera Judge, Lou Tress (Philadelphia)............145-143 (7-5-3 in Rounds) Alfredo Escalera The Associated Press.........................146-139 (11-4-0 in Rounds) Tyrone Everett The United Press...............................146-141 (9-4-2 in Rounds) Tyrone Everett After the bout, Frank Gelb (Tyrone Everett's, Manager) filed an immediate protest with the WBC Official, questioning Judge Lou Tress and is absurd scorecard. Howard McCall, Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission did state that the Boxing Commission would accept the judges decision, but wanted an immediate rematch within 90-Days. This content is protected
Philly, Tyrone Everett was supposed to get a 'rematch' with Alfredo Escalera on March 17, 1977 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (3 1/2 months after the first controversial bout). It was supposed to be on the George Foreman vs. Jimmy Young undercard, a Don King Promotion and broadcast on ABC-TV. But, Frank Gelb (Manager) pulled Tyrone out of the fight. Not sure whether it was the fight purse offer, or disagreement over the officials who would be scoring, or both. That was unfortunate, because Tyrone Everett would have gotten National TV exposure. A last-minute replacement, was Maryland southpaw Featherweight, Ronnie McGarvey, a pretty good 32 year-old advanced club-fighter, who was also a very good defensive fighter. But, McGarvey who had been fighting since 1968, had a padded record of 31-1-0 (20 KO's), and was not expected to go the distance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 17, 1977 WBC Super-Featherweight Championship Alfredo Escalera 37-7-2 (25 KO's), goes for his '8th' title defense. The 25 year-old Champion at 5' 8" will have a 2" height and 3" reach advantage over his southpaw Challenger. The 130 lb. Champion is much bigger than his 128 lb. Challenger, who is really a Featherweight who is moving up. Ronnie McGarvey is ranked as the #10 WBC Super-Featherweight. The Fight; The WBC Super-Featherweight Champion toyed with the 'smaller' #10 WBC-ranked Challenger over the first '2-Rounds', as he appeared to be carrying the obviously out-matched McGarvey. In Round 3, Escalera goes 'ballistic' in his attack, as he pummels McGarvey with crushing left and right hooks to the head and body, rocking McGarvey all over the ring. McGarvey survives, but leaves the round with a cut over his right eye. In Round 4, the Champion continues with his all-out attack, and while pinning McGarvey on the ropes, Escalera unloads everything in his aresenal. But, though he is over-whelming McGarvey, he has punched himself out and is arm-weary by the rounds end. A courageous McGarvey starts to slug it out with the 'tired' Champion at the end of the round. In Round 5, the Champion paces himself to catch his 'second-wind', while the Challenger, now with cuts over both eyes tries to slug away at the now slower Escalera. In Round 6, a 'refreshed' Escalera comes out looking to bomb away, and scores with solid punches on McGarvey. The Champion shakes McGarvey with a heavy left-right, and stuns him again with a flurry. Then at the 1:55 Mark, the Champion drops McGarvey with a crushing left-right. The Challenger does beat the count, but he is in 'no-shape' to continue, as the Referee - Abraham Chavvaria calls a halt to the bout at 2:03 of Round 6.
Red, Not 100% sure on why there wasn't an immediate rematch between Alfredo Escalera and Tyrone Everett. After their November 30, 1976 'controversial bout' in Philadelphia, there was supposed to be WBC mandated rematch within 90-days. But, Alfredo Escalera had 'two' other Title Defenses (March 17, 1977 versus Ronnie McGarvey) and (May 16, 1977 versus Carlos Becerril). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 16, 1977 Alfredo Escalera defended his WBC Super-Featherweight Championship versus Carlos Becerril on the undercard of Muhammad Ali vs Alfredo Evangilista Heavyweight Championship bout. Tyrone Everett (the #2 WBC-ranked Super-Featherweight) fought on the undercard versus Delfino Rodriguez. Alfredo Escalera and Tyrone Everett were supposed to fight in San Juan, Puerto Rico in July 1977. On May 26, 1977 - Tyrone Everett was murdered.
