Antonio Cervantes 'Went in the Tank versus Wilfred Benetiz'

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

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R/T,

Antonio Cervantes had received a fight purse of $75,000 versus #1 WBA Challenger -Esteban De Jesus,
when 'Kid Pambele' defended his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship on May 17, 1975 at Gimnasio Nuevo, Panama.

That fight, which was held on Saturday Night, was broadcast (tape delay) by TV Sports Championship
the following day (Sunday - May 18, 1975).

4-months later -

Antono Cervantes next fight, was a 'non-title' 10-Round bout versus Japans's Kiyoshi 'Batttlehawk' Kazama on
Saturday Night, September 20, 1975 - at the Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.

'Kid Pambele' was supposed to defend his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship versus the #10 WBA-ranked
'Battlehawk' Kazama 7-0-2 (2 KO's) on the undercard of the Alfredo Escalara (Puerto Rico) vs Leonel Hernandez (Venezuela)
WBA Super-Featherweight Championship. But, 'Kid Pambele' could not make weight, as he came in 3 lbs. above
the 140 lb. 'weight limit', and the bout was changed to a 'non-title' affair.

In front of 12,000 Venezuelan boxing fans, 'Kid Pambele' stopped (TKO 6) 'Battlehawk' Kazama in a one-sided
non-competitive bout.

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes received a fight purse of $25,000 for the 'non-title bout', instead of the $50,000
he was supposed to get for defending his WBA Championship.

 

Wrong again,,,,,,,,,,,,Sir Lord,,

In the first week of January 1976, Teddy Brenner of Madison Square Garden and Gregorio Benitez
(who represented Wilfred) signed a contract to fight New York Welterweight -Harold Weston Jr. on
February 6, 1976 - in a 10-Round Welterweight bout.

At that point in time, the Antonio Cervantes vs Wilfred Benitez was 'not' on the drawing board yet.

Antonio Cervantes, who had just defeated #1 WBA Challenger - Hector Thompson on November 15, 1975
- had 'no plans' to fight anyone other than Roberto Duran for May/June 1976.

Antonio Cervantes (Fight Purse's for 1975)
May 17, 1975..............vs. #1 WBC - Esteban DeJesus.....................$80,000........@ Gimnasio Nuevo, Panama
September 20,, 1975....vs. #10 WBA - Kiyoshi 'Battlehawk' Kazama......$25,000........@ Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
November 15, 1975......vs. #1 WBA - Hector Thompson.....................$75,000.......@ Gimnasio Nuevo, Panama

In later-January 1976 - a 'deal' was cut by Gregorio Benitez and TV Sports Championship, to 'basically' 'buy and borrow'
the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship from Champion - Antonio Cervantes and his Manager - Ramiro Machado.

When Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes was offered $200,000 by Gregorio Benitez and TV Sports Promoters go to
Puerto Rico in March 1976 to face Wilfred Bentiez, it was for more money in 'one-fight' than he had received
in all '3-bouts' in 1975.

Once the 'deal was inked', Wilfred was 'pulled out' from his scheduled Febraury 6, 1976 bout with Welterweight
Harold Weston Jr. set for Madison Square Garden.

The 17 1/2 year-old - Wilfred Benitez 25-0-0 (20 KO's) was 'not ranked' by the WBA as a Light-Welterweight, and
'Papa' Benitez had to 'pay-off' the WBA officicials to - A) Get his son ranked in the Top 10 of the 140 lb. division, and
B) Pay the WBA a higher 'sanctioning fee' than normal.

 

January 1976

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

'I'm retiring, if Ramiro Machado (Manager) cannot finalize a deal with
Carlos Eleta (Roberto Duran's Manager).

'There are no other fights out there for me. I was only offered $40,000
to go to Indonesia to fight, and defend my Championship. I'd rather retire
than fight some Challenger in his home-country for that small amount.'

'I could stay Champion for another 6-months and not defend my Championship,
since I defeated the #1 Challenger (Hector Thompson) in November 1975.'

 

January 1976

Before Antonio Cervamtes and Ramiro Machado 'cut a deal' with Gregorio Benitez,
'Kid Pambele' was offered a contract to go to Jakarta, Indonesia to defend his
WBA Light-Welterweight Championshiop versus Indonesian - Wongso Suseno -the
OPBF Light-Welterweight Champion and #9 WBA-ranked Challenger.

The original offer was a 'mere pittance' of a $40,000 fight purse, plus $5000 in expenses,
for a March 1976 fight date. Antonio Cervantes politely declined, and countered with
a $150,000 (minimum), which was not met with a respectable counter-offer.

The 'word' going around - was that Antonio Cervantes wanted to retire, since his proposed
bout with Roberto Duran was 'up-in-smoke', and that for the right price, he was willing to
travel to the 'any' Challenger's country, and 'dump the title' in the lap of whomever wanted it,
for the 'right' price.

Enter Gregorio Benitez.

 

Ledge-Head,

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

Listed Fight Purses - (1971 thru 1973)

December 11, 1971.... vs. * Nicolino Locche (at Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
($7500)......#1 WBA-ranked Antonio Cervantes loses a 15-Round Decision to the WBA Champion -Nicolino Locche


October 28, 1972...... vs. * Alfonso Frazer (in Panama City, Panama).........
($9000)......#1 WBA-ranked - Antonio Cervantes wins (KO 10) the WBA Championship over Alfonso Frazer in his home-country.


February 15, 1973.... vs. #8 Josue Marquez (in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
($50,000).... WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Antonio Cervantes makes his 'first defense' by defeating (W Split Decision 15)
over #8 WBA-ranked - Josue Marquez in Puerto Rico.


March 17, 1973....... vs. #1 Nicolino Locche (in Maracay, Venezuela)
($50,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '2nd-Defense', by stopping (TKO 10) the former Champion from Argentina, in a
rematch from Cervantes unsuccessful attempt in December 1971.


April 28, 1973......... vs. Benny Huertas (in Cali Colombia)
($20,000).... Antonio Cervantes fights for the 'first-time' as WBA Champion in his home country. Cervantes stops (KO 1)
Benny Huertas (of Puerto Rico) in a non-title bout.


May 19, 1973........... vs. #5 Alfonso Frazer (in Panama City, Panama)
($60,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '3rd-Defense', by stopping (KO 5) former Champion - Alfonso Frazer, in a rematch,
and again in Panama City.


July 20, 1973........... vs. Ray Mercado (Barranquilla, Colombia)
(17,500)..... Antonio Cervantes defeats (TKO 5) Ray Mercado (of Puerto Rico) in a non-title bout.


September 8, 1973.... vs. #1 Carlos Maria Giminez (in Bali, Columbia)............
($60,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '4th-Defense', by stopping (TKO 5) #1 Carlos Maria Giminez of
Argentina.


December 5, 1973..... vs. #10 Lion Furuyama (in Panama City, Panama)
($60,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '5th-Defense', by defeating (W Unanimous Decision 15) over the
#10 WBA-ranked and Japanese Light-Welterweight Champion - Lion Furuyama.


December 8, 1973..... Antonio Cervantes at a press conference -

'The Japanese fighter (Lion Furuyma) was very strong. The strongest fighter I have ever faced. And his
'southpaw stance' gave me some difficulty. I did take him lightly, but I have no excuses, as he was
a very good challenger. I thought I won 10 of the rounds, and Furuyama won 5, and the 'judges' agreed
by giving me the Decision by 8, 8 and 6 points.'

'I have a bout with the #2 WBA Challenger, Chang-Kil Lee (South Korea) in Cartagena, Colombia in March 1974,
and after that, I would like to fight Ken Buchanan.'

 

January 1974

Political unrest has developed in Colombia, but Antonio Cervantes remains
a loyal countryman, and stays in the country, to ride out the political storm.

Photo Below, Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes (May 19, 1973) celebrates his TKO 5
victory over former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer in
Panama City at the Gimnasio Nuevo Arena.

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Though Antonio Cervantes claims to be age 28 1/2 (at that time in May 1973), Central
American Boxing Reporter, Adalberto Contreras stated that 'Kid Pambele' was actually
the age of 33 1/2 (5 years older).

Antonio Cervantes (May 1973) claimed a record of 62-9-3 (26 KO's), but Adalberto Contreras
found additional fights not recorded on 'Kid Pambele's ledger'. According to the reporter,
Antonio Cervantes was born on December 23, 1940 - not the December 23, 1945 that
'Kid Pambele' had claimed.

Later, Antonio Cervantes denied the claims.

 

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

Listed Fight Purses - (1974)

March 2, 1974...... vs. #2 Chang-Kil Lee (Cartagena, Colombia)
($55,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '6th-Defense' by defeating (KO 6) the OPBF
Light-Welterweight Champion - South Korean Chang-Kil Lee.

The bout was held on Saturday Night, in the Cartagena de Indias 'Bull Ring',
and in front of 12,500 Colombian boxing fans.

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes (Under the lights at the Bull Ring)

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Cartagena de Indias Bull Ring

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Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

Listed Fight Purses (1974)

June 8, 1974...... vs. 'unranked' Pedro Adigue Jr. (Maracay, Venezuela)
($15,000).... Antonio Cervantes scores a stoppage (KO 5) over former
WBC Light-Welterweight Champiom - 'Filipino' Pedro Adigue Jr. in a 'non-title' bout.

The bout was held on Saturday Night, at the Plaza de Toros 'Bull Ring', Maestranza
Cesar Giron in Maracay, Venezuela - and in front of 8000 Venezuelan fans.


July 28, 1974..... vs. #5 Victor Ortiz (Cartagena, Colombia)
($65,000)..... Antonio Cervantes makes his '7th-Defense' by destroying (KO 2)
Puerto Rican - Victor Ortiz.

The 24 year-old - Puerto Rican - Victor Ortiz 25-6-0 (11 KO's) is an aggressive
5' 7" non-stop 'punching machine', and enters the ring a 'live 2-1 Underdog'.

Fighting out of the National Gym in San Juan, Puerto Rico - Victor has wins over
former World Champions - Clemente Sanchez, Alfosno Frazer and Eddie Perkins.
He also has '2' wins over 'contender' Saoul Mamby.

The bout was again held at the Caratagena de Indias 'Bull Ring'. This time
in front of 13,000 Colombian boxing fans.

In one of 'Kid Pambele's best performances, he floors Victor Ortiz with a wicked
left hook at just 0:51 of Round 1. And scores another knockdown, by landing
a short right to the back of Ortiz's head at the 2:37 Mark.

A stunned Ortiz, had to be helped back to his corner at the end of Round 1.

After letting Victor Ortiz punch away for 2:33 of Round 2, Cervantes backs to
the ropes, and unloads a tremendous left hook, to the point of Ortiz's jaw,
where the Challenger crashes, and is counted out at 2:45 of Round 2.

 

August 1974

Following his successful title defense in July 1974 in Cartagena, Colombia -

Political unrest, and persistent insurgencies in Colombia, force Antonio Cervantes
to move out of his country 'temporarily', and flee to Caracas, Venezuela.

His manager, Ramiro Machado will control his fighter's activities from Venezuela,
including trying to secure a bout with the WBA Lightweight Champion from
Panama - Roberto Duran.

During this span in late-1974 and 1975, 'Kid Pambele' will fight in order -
* Tokyo, Japan
* Caracas, Venezuela
* Panama City, Panama
* Caracas, Venezuela
* Panama City, Panama

 

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes

Listed Fight Purse (1974)

October 26, 1974..... vs. #4 Shinichi Kadota (Tokyo, Japan)
($80,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '8th-Defense' by clobbering {KO 8}
Japan's - Shinichi Kadota.

In front of 8000 'partisan' Japanese fans at the Nihon University Auditorium, 'Kid Pambele'
has too much power and better technique in sending the southpaw Kadaota to the canvas
in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and '3-times' in the 8th Round.

The 'final knockdown' occurred at 1:42 of the Round, indicating an automatic knockout
stoppage.

The 28 1/2 year old (going on age 34) Colombian improves his record to 70-9-3 (32 KO's).

This was Antonio Cervantes' largest fight purse he had ever received.

Antonio Cervantes raises his arms, after dropping Shinichi Kadota an 8th and 'final time'.

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'Colombia'

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes left his native country in late-1974,
due to political unrest, and persistent insurgencies.

As of October 1974, the WBA Light-Welterweight Champion had moved to Caracas, Venezuela.

Antonio had also moved to Venezuela back in 1968 with his trainer Carmelo Prada, when he
was having difficulty getting decent bouts and 'fight purses'.

Saturday Night - March 15, 1975

El Poliedro - Caracas, Venezuela

Attendance; 13,000

A 'WBA' World Boxing Association 'Boxing Extravaganza'

WBA Super-Featherweight Championship
* Champion, Alexis Arguello vs #1 WBA, Leonel Hernandez

WBA Welterweight Elimination Bout
#1 WBA, Angels Espada vs #4 WBA, Luis Acosta

'Non-Title Bout'
* Antonio Cervantes vs. Ray Chavez Guerrero

Light-Welterweight Bout
#1 WBA, Esteban De Jesus vs Jesse Lara
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Antonio Cervantes flashes a 'V' for Venezuela
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March 15, 1975...... vs. Ray Chavez Guerrero
($15,000).... Antonio Cervantes at (145 lbs.) in a 'non-title bout' stops (KO 2) 'unranked' Ray Chavez Guerrero
by flooring him 'three times' in Round 2, for an automatic 'knockout' at 2:29.

This was Kid Pambele's first bout in 5-months, and his first at his 'new' residence in Caracas, Venezuela.

Antonio improves to 71-9-3 (33 KO's).

El Poliedro - Caracas, Venezuela
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