Can it be done, with fairness. Both were accomplished, and excellent fighters. One, a boxer-puncher with an orthodox-style. The other, a calculating puncher, with a southpaw-style. Let's hear the pro's and con's.
Antonio Cervantes (Afro-Columbian) Turned Professional (January 31, 1964) at Age 18 Competed at 126 lbs. Featherweight Fought exclusively in Columbia. Went undefeated in his first '20-bouts', going 19-0-1 (5 KO's). Listed as a tall and lanky 'pure boxer' in the 1965 Columbia Boxeo Guide. In late 1966, loses 'twice' to Columbian Featherweight, Cipriano 'Barbulito' Zuluaga 18-4-0 (7 KO's) by Decision. Finishes out 1966, with a record of 21-2-1 (6 KO's) This content is protected
Antonio Cervantes is 'very busy' in 1967, by having '17-Bouts'. During that span, the 21 year-old Cervantes goes 12-3-2 (4 KO's) in his 1967 run. Several bouts with 'common foes' gives Cervantes valuable experience. Antonio Yi Eliodoro Pitalua Jose Godoy Victor Cano Reynaldo Lopez On July 14, 1967, in his 'first bout' outside of Columbia - Antonio Cervantes is beat over 8-Rounds {L Dec 8} by Featherweight, Nestor Rojas 12-3-0 (4 KO's) in Venezuela. That loss dropped Cervantes to 27-5-1. Antonio Cervamtes finished out 1967, with a record of 33-5-3 (10 KO's). To the boxing experts, it did not look like Cervantes would ever develop a Knock-Out Punch.
1968 Antonio Cervantes wins his 'first' 8-Bouts of 1968, and goes 8-0-0 (2 KO's). Again, defeating 'common foes', Cipriano Zuluaga Eliodoro Pitalua Jose Godoy The 22 year-old improves to 41-5-3 (12 KO's), and is ranked the #9 Featherweight in the World Ratings. In October 1968, Cervantes moves his home-base from Columbia to Venezuela, to get more publicity and better fight purse fee's. On November 28, 1968 - at his new home base in Venezuela, Cervantes gets a rematch with former conquerer, Venezuela Featherweight, Nestor Rojas 16-5-0 (5 KO's). Cervantes scores an impressive win (W Dec 10), and moves his record to 42-5-3, along with a #9 Featherweight rating. The 'shocker' on December 20, 1968 - 23 year-old Antonio Cervantes is 'Knocked-Out' (KO'd 4) by Venezuelan 'Hot Shot Featherweight', #10-Ranked - Cruz 'El Loco' Marcano 17-0-2 (11 KO's). The loss, drops Antonio Cervantes 42-6-3, out of the Top 10 Featherweights.
1969 In Venezuela,, '4' straight wins, and Antonio is up to 46-6-3 (15 KO's), and ranked the #13 Featherweight. On August 15, 1969 (Friday Night) is 'upset' by (L Dec 10) #4 Venezuelan Featherweight, Francisco Bolivar 26-11-4 (12 KO's). On August 16, 1969 (Saturday Afternoon), just 18-Hours later - Antonio is back in the ring versus 'old foe' Orlando Rivas 16-4-1 (5 KO's). Cervantes scores a 'one-punch' Knock-Out (KO 2). Septermber 1969 Under the direction of Columbian Boxing Manager, Ramiro Machado (with WBA connections), Antonio Cervantes 47-7-3 (16 KO's) - is now ranked the #11 WBA Featherweight. On November 10, 1969 - In Caracas, Venezuela - Ramiro Machado scheduled his 'Two Top' Featherweights to battle each other, #11 Antonio Cervantes vs. #5 Antonio Gomez 25-2-0 (11 KO's) {Gomez would go on to become the WBA Featherweight Championin September 1971}. In a 'close battle', Antonio Gomez edges out Antonio Cervantes by (W Dec 10). It was the 'last bout' that Antonio Cervantes fought at the 126 lb. Featherweight Level. Antonio Cervantes as a 'skinny' 126 lb. Featherweight This content is protected
1970 Unable to maintain 126 lbs. on his 5 ' 9" frame, the 24 year-old Cervantes moves up in weight. Fighting at the 130 lb. Junior-Lightweight Level,,,,, Cervantes scores 'two' quick wins in Caracas, Venezuela * Febraury 20, 1970 - W Dec 10 over - Pedro Chirinos 16-10-1 (6 KO's) * March 12, 1970 - KO 1 over - Diego Tovar 5-1-0 (1 KO) Sporting a record of 49-8-3 (17 KO's), Cervantes goes inactive for the next 7-months. In October 1970, Antonio Cervantes and Trainer Carmelo Prada move to San Jose, California. Bulked up to 135 lbs., and showing a 'muscular physique', Cervantes impresses in Gym work-outs in Southern California. No longer a 'lanky' skinny 126 lb. Featherweight who slaps and darts, now Antonio is a 'solid Lightweight' who sits down on his punches. November 6, 1970 - Antonio Cervantes makes his American debut, in a 'Main Event' at the Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California. A Friday Night (Locally Televised) bout, versus Southern California 'Light-Welterweight Prospect' - Jorge 'The Rod' Rodriguez 16-1-0 (9 KO's). In front of 3000 Civic Auditorium and Jorge Rodriguez fans, Cervantes is 'masterful' in stopping the 'local star' by {KO 8}. Antonio Cervantes receives $2500 as his fight purse, the largest of his career up to that point. The win improves Cervantes (one-month shy of 25) to 50-8-3 (18 KO's), and with it, a #14 WBA Lightweight ranking. This content is protected
December 12, 1970 Thursday Night (The Olympic in Los Angeles, California) 'Lightweight Battle' #6 WBC Lightweight - Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez 66-5-1 (58 KO's) vs. #14 WBA Lightweight - Antonio Cervantes 50-8-3 (18 KO's) The 25 year-old Long Beach, Californian - Rodolfo Gonzalez, at 5' 9" 135 lbs, with a 70" reach is a '100% true banger'. Gonzalez, has been a 'regular' at The Olympic for the past '4' years, where he has gone undefeated 12-0-0 (11 KO's). His last loss, was way back on November 10, 1966. Note; In November 1972, Rodolfo Gonzalez would win the WBC Lightweight Chamionship. 1970 has not been a 'busy year' though for 'El Gato', as he has had only 'one-bout' this year, a (TKO 7) over Fermin Soto (31-5-1), in May 1970. Gonzalez has been out of the ring for 7-Months. For the 25 year-old 5' 9" Antonio Cervantes, this is his 'biggest fight'. With a 72" Reach, Cervantes will have a slight-edge, and his fast-hands are quicker than Gonzalez. But, Rodolfo is by far the 'heavier puncher'. Cervantes will require 'all his skill and ring generalship' to get by in this one. 4000 fans turn out for the 'Thursday Night' bout, with each combatant to receive $1750 as a fight purse. Round 1 - It is Antonio Cervantes with his 'fine boxing skill' who controls the round, and suprises Rodolfo Gonzalez - by flooring him with a 'solid left jab' to the jaw. Not hurt, Gonzalez bounces up at the '2-Count'. Round 2 - Again, Cervantes exhibits his 'sharp boxing skills'' and wins the round, with crisp jabs and good movement. Round 3 - Cervantes scores with several crisp punches, and then opens a cut over Gonzalez left eye, the result of a slashing right-hand lead. Then, all hell breaks loose, as Rodolfo Gonzalez tears into an 'unsuspecting Cervantes', and floors him with a solid left-right to the jaw. Cervantes, struggles up at the '8-Count', and battles back from the 'defensive position. Rounds 4 thru 6 - It is Gonzalez who is the 'effective aggressor', backing Cervantes up while scoring with right hand crosses, and left hooks to the body. Round 7 - Cervantes works on the cut over Gonzalez left eye, with sharp straight left jabs, and an occassional right cross. Late in the Round, Cervantes lands a big right upper-cut which shakes Gonzalez, but the Long Beach fighter will not fade, and scores with his own 'heavy right hands', which shake Cervantes and have the Columbian reeling. Round 8 - Cervantes, using his smart ring skills, focuses on the cut left eye of Gonzalez, and rips it apart by using sharp jabs over and over. By the end of Round 8, Gonzalez cannot see out of the eye. On the advice of the 'Ring Doctor', Referee Lee Grossman stops the bout, with Antonio Cervantes winning by TKO 8. At the time of the stoppage, Rodolfo Gonzalez had a slight-edge on the Scorecards; Referee; Lee Grossman........6-5 in Points (4-3-1 in Rounds) Antonio Cervantes Judge; Rudy Jordan.............6-5 in Points (4-3-1 in Rounds) Rodolfo Gonzalez Judge; Abe Cohen...............6-5 in Points (4-3-1 in Rounds) Rodolfo Gonzalez Los Angeles Times..............6-4 in Points (5-3-0 in Rounds) Rodolfo Gonzalez Rodolfo Gonzalez stands over Antonio Cervantes, after flooring him the 3rd Round, with a left-right combination. This content is protected
As of January 1, 1971 The 25 year-old Antonio Cervantes 51-8-3 (19 KO's) - Was ranked at Lightweight, #5 WBA / #7 WBC. Current Champion, British Ken Buchanan appeared not too interested in fighting Antonio Cervantes in the immediate future, and certainly not in Central America or Columbia or Venezuela.
Correct Flea,,,,,,, Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez got cut in the 3rd Round, over the left-eye by an Antonio Cervantes slashing right hand. El Gato, immediately floored 'Kid Pambele' after that incident. Rodolfo Gonzalez then poured it on, in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 - to take a solid lead in the bout. 'El Gato' started to fade just a bit in Round 7, permitting Cervantes to score from the outside, and work on the eye cut. Cervantes scored with a big right uppercut that buckled Gonzalez' legs. But 'El Gato' rallied with a two-fisted barrage and a couple of big right hands that had Cervantes reeling near the end of the round. In Round 8, the eye cut worsened, and Cervantes slashed it like a surgeon. That was it.
February 18, 1971 'ANTONIO CERVANTES 'FIRST BOUT' IN THE 140 LB. LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION' Thursday Night at The Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California After '62-Bouts' in Lower Weight Classes, and with a mark of 51-8-3 (19 KO's) - Antonio Cervantes takes on Argentinian Light-Welterweight - 31 year-old, Enrique Jana 41-10-10 (12 KO's) in a Light-Welterweight Elimination bout. Enrique Jana, now a California-based fighter, is ranked #3 WBA / #4 WBC as a Light-Welterweight, and is undefeated in his last '19-Bouts', while going 16-0-3. Jana's last loss, was back 4 years ago in February 1967, in Brazil. Enrique Jana has been 'guaranteed' a bout with WBC Light-Welterweight Champion, Bruno Arcari in June 1971, no matter what happens in his bout versus Antonio Cervantes. The 25 year-old Antonio, is still rated as a Lightweight #5 WBA / #7 WBC, but he will now move up to the Light-Welterweight Division, where he may have a better opportunity at a Title Shot versus WBA Champion Nicolino Loche, if he can get by the 'tricky' veteran Enrique Jana. [url] This content is protected [/url] The Bout; Utilizing a 'new punching style' by leaping in with long left hand leads, the 5' 9" tall Antonio Cervantes scores repeatedly on the 5' 6" boxer/counter-puncher Enrique Jana. After 5-Rounds, Cervantes (ahead by 4-1-0 in the Scorecards) is cruising, and scoring any time he wants on the shorter Jana. In Round 6, Cervantes drops Jana with a counter right-hand. Taking his time, Cervantes picks apart the 31 year-old veteran, eventually stopping him at 2:10 of Round 8, as Referee George Latka calls a halt to the bout, as Enrique Jana was battered defenseless. The victory over Enrique Jana, improves Antonio Cervantes to 52-8-3 (20 KO's), and moves him up to the #4 WBA Light-Welterweight. Note: 4-Months later, in June 1971 - Enrique Jana gets a shot at WBC Light-Welterweight Champion Bruno Arcari, and gets stopped (L TKO 9).
