Antonio Cervantes 'Went in the Tank versus Wilfred Benetiz'

Saturday Night

Gimnasio Nuevo Panama - Panama City, Panama

Attendance; 14,000

May 17, 1975..... vs. #1 Esteban De Jesus (Panama City, Panama)
($80,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '9th-Defense' by winning a
dominant and one-sided 15-Round Decision over #1 WBA Challenger -
Esteban De Jesus 45-2-- (25 KO's).

The 29 year-old Champion 'floors' the 23 year-old Challenger '3-times', and
stuns the Puerto Rican several other times with crushing right hands.

In Round 15, 'Kid Pambele' had Esteban out on his feet at the bell.

On the Scorecards, Antonio Cervantes wins by '13', '12' and '10' points.

Esteban had only scored well in Rounds 2 and 5, and other than that,
was on the receiving end of the Champions fists.

In defense of both boxers, the ring canvas was 'extemely slick' and both
fighters slipped on the surface all night, including slipping to the canvas
several times.

Antonio Cervantes, 'I was not at full-strength, as Esteban took something
out of me in both the 2nd and 5th Rounds, otherwise I would have knocked him out'.

Antonio Cervantes, 'Now is the time for Roberto Duran to challenge me.'

 

Saturday Night

September 20, 1975...... vs. #10 'Battlehawk' Kazama (Nuevo Circo, Venezuela)
($25,000).... Antonio Cervantes fights a 'non-title' bout with Japan's Battlehawk Kazama,
a fighter with a record of 7-0-2 (2 KO's).

This bout was supposed to be a WBA Light-Welterweight Championship bout, but was
changed to a 'non-title' affair when 'Kid Pambele' could not make weight, and came in at 143+ lbs.

By Antonio Cervantes own addmission, he did not train at all for this bout, except for some light
workouts over the last 2-weeks.

The Venezuelan promoters dropped his original fight purse of $50,000 for this 'so-called' easy title
defense, to $25,000 for the 'non-title bout'.

The 'pre-fight' agreement was, that if the #10 WBA-ranked 'Battlehawk' Kazama defeated 'Kid Pambele',
the WBA Light-Welterweight Title would be become 'vacant'.

The winner of this bout, was contractually obligated to fight the #1 WBA Challenger -
Australian - Hector Thompson within 60-Days.

Antonio Cervantes is completely dominating, as he floors an over-matched
'Battlehawk' Kazama in Round 4, and then finishes him in Round 6, for a
stoppage (KO 6) victory

This bout is held on the undercard of the WBC Super-Featherweight Championship between Champion
- Alfredo Escalera and Venezuelan - Leonel Hernandez.

Nuevo Circo de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela

This content is protected

 

Saturday Night

November 15, 1975..... vs. #1 Hector Thompson (Gimnasio Nuevo Panama)
($75,000).... Antonio Cervantes makes his '10th-Defense' by stopping {KO 8}
(cut-eye) Australia's Hector Thompson.

This bout was held at the Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, where 'Kid Pambele' was making
his '4th' appearance. In front of 11,000 Panamanian fans, who were cheering for the
Challenger to 'upset' the hated Colombian, Cervantes may have had his 'finest'
performance, as the 30 year-old was brilliant, by controlling the bout over a very
good Hector Thompson.

Cervantes, dominated the bout with repeated left jabs, stunned Hector in Round 4, and
badly sliced his right eye with a vicious left uppercut at the end of Round 7. And
Thompson did not come out for Round 8.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the bout was stopped, Antonio Cervantes and his handlers were celebrating in
the ring, when Roberto Duran (who was at Ringside), jumped into the ring, and
challenged 'Kid Pambele' to a fight at that moment. A 'scuffle' ensued, but the
altercation was quickly controlled.

Hector Thompson who had fought Roberto Duran in June 1973, and was also stopped by a TKO 8,
stated that each fighter was 'equal to the task', and to pick a winner between Roberto Duran
and Antonio Cervantes would be 'impossible'.

 

December 1975

Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes stated in the Venezuelan Press;

I have been boxing for 15-years, and I'm thinking about retiring. I have
moved to Venezuela, because of the violence in my country (Colombia).

I have defeated everyone, including 'two' #1 Challengers this year
(Esteban De Jesus in May 1975) and (Hector Thompson in November 1975).

The only bout out there is between me and Roberto Duran for my Light-Welterweight
Crown. I hope we can do this within 6-months, otherwise I will retire.

Ramiro Machado (Kid Pambele's Manager), 'I have talkd to Roberto Duran's Manager
Carlos Eleta, and he said that Roberto plans to stay at Lightweight for at least
one more year and maybe into 1977. He also just signed a 3-Bout contract with
Don King, and he has to fulfill that contract first, before he fights Antonio. That tells
me that they don't want to fight Antonio.'

This content is protected

 

December 1975

Carlos Eleta (Panama Sports Entrepreneur and Manager for Roberto Duran)

Signs a '3-Bout' fight contract with Don King, for Roberto to defend his
WBA Lightweight Championship versus -

* December 20, 1975......... vs. Leonico Ortiz (in Puerto Rico)
* February 1976........... vs. Angel Mayoral (in Las Vegas)
* May 1976...................vs. Frankie Benitez (Wilfred Benitez' older brother) (in New York, or Puerto Rico, or Miami Beach)

Carlos Eleta quietly stated, 'That the Roberto Duran vs Antonio Cervantes
fight would be the 'biggest fight ever' in Latin America, but Antonio is too
big for Roberto, and the Colombian is a great fighter. His style with
his slashing punches could cut Roberto up, and it isn't a fight I want
at this time.'

[url]

This content is protected

[/url]

 

January 5, 1976

With the hopeful bout with Roberto Duran 'Up In Smoke', Ramiro Machado (Antonio Cervantes' Manager)
puts out 'feelers' through the WBA (World Boxing Association) offices in Panama.

The Skinny

Antonio Cervantes (age 30 going on 35), after 15 years of professional boxing and '10' successful WBA
Championship Defenses is looking to get out, and retire in 1976.

Kid Pambele, now living in Venezuela, has not returned to Colombia since leaving in October 1974 (15-months)
and his last '5-bouts' have been fought in outside countries.

WBA Officials, Dr. Eias Cordova and Rodrigo Sanchez put out a 'memo', to see if there any Fight Managers
and/or Promoters who are willing to make an 'offer', and 'play ball'.

The 'first offer' came in from Jakarta, Indonesia - where 'representatives' for the #8 WBA Light-Welterweight -
'undefeated' Wongso Suseno, and current OPBF Champion - make a 'paltry offer' of $75,000 for the Champion.
But within 'two-days' the offer is 'doubled', upped to $150,000.

The 'silent deal' is that Antonio Cervantes goes to Indonesia in March 1976, and loses 'Dumps the Championship'
to Wongso Suseno.

Then, so the fight promoter and boxer can make some money, the WBA will permit Wongso Suseno make a
'title defense' against a weak Challenger, but he must agree to give Antonio Cervantes a 'rematch' by the end
of 1976, and where the WBA dictates the bout to take place.

All parties agree, and the particulars have been approved by the WBA Officials.

 

Behind the Scenes....

In early-January 1976,

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez signed a deal with Teddy Brenner of Madison Square Garden
to bring his son Wilfred Benitez to New York, to battle #8 Welterweight - Harold Weston Jr.
on Friday Night - February 6, 1976.

Wilfred, and who was competing in the Welterweight Division, and fighting at a weight
between 146 lbs. and 150 lbs., agree to a 147 lb. weight limit versus Harold Weston.

The fight purse is agreed upon, for $10,000.

But.........in mid-January 1976

An 'opening' develops with the WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Antonio Cervantes and
his Manager - Ramiro Machado, as the 'two' are looking for a 'bigger cash pay-off for a fight dump'.

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez, with financial backing from friends (Pepito Cordero, owner of Salinas Sports
Promotions) and former Governor of Puerto Rico, Rafael Hernandez Colon - put together an offer
of $200,000 for the WBA Light-Welterweight Champion, and within moments a 'deal is struck'.

 

January 15, 1976

Step 1.

Gregorio Benitez, Pepito Cordero and Rafael Hernandez Colon have the 'financial backing'
and offer Ramiro Machado and WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Antonio Cervantes $200,000.

Step 2.

The WBA Champion and his Manager agree, and a date is set to meet the 17 1/2 year-old
Wilfred Benitez in March 1976, and in Puerto Rico.

Step 3.

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez cancels Wilfred's bout with Harold Weston Jr. in New York for February 6, 1976 -
where he was to receive a fight purse of $10,000. But, Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez agree's to bring Wilfred
back up to Madison Square Garden later in the year for a bout, after he wins the Championship.

Step 4.

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez has to get his son Wilfred ranked in the WBA Top 10 of the Light-Welterweight division,
despite his son campaigning at 145+ lbs. for the past year and a half. Wilfred has 'not' fought in the
Light-Welterweight division (140 lbs.) since early-1975.

Step 5.

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez with help from his friends, 'pay-off' the WBA Officials (Dr. Elias Cordova and Rodrigo Sanchez),
by giving them $10,000 in cash, to get Wilfred ranked in the Top 10.

Step 6.

Remarkably, the WBA lists Wilfred Benitez as the #9 WBA Challenger in their February 1, 1976 (ratings). Wilfred's
last bout was back on December 13, 1975 - when he won a 10-Round Decision over 'unranked' Chris Fernandez
in a bout held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and at a 146 lb. weight level.

Step 7.

The WBA Championship Committee approves the WBA Championship bout between Champion - Antonio Cervantes
and #9 WBA-ranked Wilfred Benitez. The bout is tentavely set for March 6, 1976 - and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Step 8.

The WBA is paid a sanctioning fee from the 'fight promoters', plus additional specialty fee's, which comes to a
total of $15,000.

Step 9.

The bout will be promoted by Salinas Sports Promotions (Pepito Cordero), who will pay the WBA Champion -
Antonio Cervantes $200,000 and Challenger - Wilfred Benitez $10,000.

Step 10.

The bout will be held at the 18,000 seat capacity - Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If the promoters
achieve a sell-out, and with ancillary rights for Televison Broadcast Fee's - the promoters may gain a profit of
$50,000.

Step 11.

Antonio Cervantes, announces that this will be his last bout, and will retire after attempting to make his '11th Defense'
of his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship that he won in October 1972.

Step 12.

The Champion at 30 years, 4 months old (but closer to 35) brings in a record of 74-9-3 (35 KO's), and his immediately
listed as a 4-1 Betting-Favorite, - as few give the 17 1/2 year-old - Wilfred Benitez a very little chance of lasting the distance,
let alone winning the WBA Championship.

 

According to Roberto Pagan,

Antonio Cervantes and Ramiro Machado were guaranteed $200,000 -

'Kid Pambele' who was a 4-1 Betting Favorite before the bout, had the odds
drop to 3-1, when rumors were floating around that;

A) He wanted to retire
B) He did not train for the bout
C) He was taking Wilfred Benitez too lightly
D) Rumors of a tank job were floated

Quietly, Ramiro Machado took $15,000 - and bet against his fighter, which would net
him and Antonio Cervantes an additional $45,000 gain.

The Deal, with WBA Chairman - Dr. Elias Cordova and #1 WBA Executive - Rodrigo Sanchez
at ringisde to oversee the bout, and collect all scorecards after each round.

The WBA Champion - Antonio Cervantes would fight 'somewhat passively' but make it look good,
while not throwing hard punches at the young Wilfred Benitez.

Referee - Isaac Herrera (Panama) and Judge - Roberto Ramirez Sr. (Puerto Rico), were both taken
care of, and already knew the 'score'.

And Judge - Jesus Celis' (Venezuela) scorecard would be irrelevant, as the other 'two' scorecards
would be taken care of.

Tale of the Tape

* Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes (Colombia, but residing in Venezuela)
* WBA Light-Welterweight Champion
* Age.........30 years, 4 months (but going on 35)
* Height......5' 9"
* Reach.......72"
* Weight......140 lbs. (actual 146 1/2 lbs.)
* Record......74-9-3 (35 KO's)

* Wilfred 'El Radar' Benitez
* #9 WBA Light-Welterweight
* Age..........17 years, 5 months
* Height.......5' 8"
* Reach........70"
* Weight.......138 1/2 lbs. (Actual 145 lbs.)
* Record.......25-0-0 (20 KO's)

Note: The 'scale' was already pre-set, and adjusted to register 6 1/2 lbs. less than what each fighter weighed.

 

Saturday Night - March 6, 1979

Hiram Bithorn Stadium - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Attendance; 17,000+

Wilfred Benitez wins a 15-Round 'Split-Decision' over WBA Light-Welterweight
Champion - Antonio 'Kid Pambele' Cervantes.

The Champion, an experienced veteran who many feel is one the best fighters in
the World, fought a 'conspicuously' lackadasical fight. The Champion did not show his
'spear-like' left jab, and hardly threw his dangerous 'skin-slashing' upper-cuts.

The bout was 'very dull', and the Challenger did score with light-punches, but they
did not carry any power at all.

Many of the rounds were close, as each fighter neutralized each other with a defensive
minded, passive attack.

Many of the Champion's supporters, were not sure what they were witnessing, as
'Kid Pambele' never fired off his quick combinations, and seemed content to go at
a slow-pace, almost like he was carrying the Challenger. Not one solid blow was landed
by either fighter.

Scorecards
Referee, Isaac Hererra (Panama)..............147-142 (8-3-4 in Rounds) Wilfred Benitez
Judge, Jesus Celis (Venezuela).................147-145 (5-3-7 in Rounds) Antonio Cervantes
Judge, Roberto Ramirez, Sr. (Puerto Rico)...148-144 (6-2-7 in Rounds) Wilfred Benitez

The Associated Press..............................147-145 (5-3-7 in Rounds) Antonio Cervantes
Caribbean Press..................................... 146-146 (4-4-7 in Rounds) Draw

The Champion - Antonio Cervantes made no statement as he left the ring. In his dressing
room though, he stated that he had intended to retire after this bout, and would not fight again.

Ramiro Machado - 'Kid Pambele' took this kid too lightly. He did not fight hard in the first half of
the bout, and he gave away too many of those early rounds. Also, Antonio did not train
properly for this bout, as he was not motivated. He has been fighting for a long time, and he is tired.
I'm sure he will win the rematch, when and if he wants to continue.'

Roberto Pagan, 'It was pretty obvious that Antonio Cervantes had not 'one' intention of trying to hurt this kid.
He fought him like he was his relative. And Wilfred, he is a soft-hitting boxer who has no punch. Just how did
he score '20' knockouts in his previous '25 bouts. I'd like to take a look at his opponent list again, because I
wonder if he fought anybody who was alive.'

 

March 10, 1976

It was 'obvious' to many, that Antiono Cervantes 'Dumped the Championship', and that some
back-room deal was cut.

Following Wilfred Benitez' 'tainted' victory over a 'conspicuously lethargic' Antonio Cervantes.

According to the 'back room deal' agreed upon by Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez.

Wilfred Benitez will defend his WBA Light-Welterweight Crown in Puerto Rico, as
not to disturb the young 17 1/2 year-old's life, for at least the first 'two' defenses.

As per the previous agreement, Wilfred Benitez will make his 'first defense' within
90-Days versus #4 WBA-ranked - Emiliano Villa, a Colombian fighter who is co-managed
by Ramiro Machado.

That bout, will be held in Puerto Rico also, and Emiliano Villa will suprisingly receive
the same exact fight purse as the Champion. This was the 'deal' that Gregorio 'Papa'
Benitez agreed upon, to get the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship.

After that bout (to be held on May 31, 1976), Wilfred may have one 'option title defense'
against anyone he chooses in the WBA Top 10.

Sneaking in the game, is Argentinian Tito Lecture, who offers Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez to come
to Argentina, to defend the Championship versus former Champion - Nicolino Locche in
late-June 1976. Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez at first agrees, but changes his mind, as he does not
want to risk his son's 'valuable' Championship in Argentina, against the 36 year-old, but still
cagey Nicolino.

Later, Wilfred will make his '2nd-Defense' versus Massachussets 'club-fighter' Tony Petronelli,
who will be ranked as the #10 WBA Light-Welterweight. That bout will eventually be held on
October 16, 1976 - and also in Puerto Rico.

Following his 'optional title defense', Wilfred then must make his next defense versus
the #1 WBA Challenger, Antonio Cervantes, and within 60-Days after the 'optional defense'.

That bout, will most likely be held in Venezuela, Antonio Cervantes' new home (as per the previous
agreement in January 1976), and scheduled for Sunday - December 5, 1976.

But Wilfred Benitez will get in a car accident in early-November 1976, and Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez will
ask the WBA for an extension, as Wilfred has suffered lacerations and bruises to his body.

The WBA will permit only a 30-Day 'temporary' extension, but wants to have a WBA Representative
check out Wilfred, to make sure the claim of an injury is legitimate. But Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez
postpones the meeting, and stalls the WBA, asking for an additional 60-Day extension, to push the
bout off to February 1977.

The WBA informs Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez that his son Wilfred will be stripped of his WBA Championship,
and the Title will be declared 'vacant', on January 5, 1977.

 

Mark,

Here it is 'simplified'.

Antonio Cervantes and his 'Manager' Ramiro Machado, with help from the WBA Officials.

A) They dump the fight to Wilfred Benitez for $200,000

B) They bet $15,000 on Antonio (to lose), and at 3-1 Odds, they reaped in another $45,000.

C) They were 'guaranteed' a rematch in 9-Months, after Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez could
make some money, by having Wilfred make 'two defenses'.

D) The rematch was supposed to bet set for Venezuela or Panama City, under the WBA
supervision, on December 5, 1976.

E) In '3' bouts in 1975, Antonio Cervantes and Ramiro Machado pulled in a total $180,000

F) For the bout with Wilfred Benitez in March 1976 they pulled in $200,000 - plus an
additional $45,000 for the 'side bet', totalling $245,000.

G) Everything was 'strictly for money'.

 

Correct Observation Kingfisher,

After the 'potential' bout with Roberto Duran 'disintegrated',

The 'Who Wants to Play Ball' sign came out from Ramiro Machado....

There weren't any more 'decent' payday bouts for 'Kid Pambele'.

A typical fight purse for a Championship Defense was between $60,000 to $75,000.

Still more to come........on how Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez stabbed the WBA in the back.

 

Hedge-Hog,

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez never had any intentions of giving Antonio Cervantes a rematch
with 'Wilfred' in December 1976, and 'never' one outside of Puerto Rico.

Basically, 'Papa' Benitez screwed the WBA, Antonio Cervantes and Ramiro Machado.

The initial 'deal' had Wilfred defending versus 'Kid Pambele' on Sunday, December 5, 1976
and in Maracay, Venezuela - at the Maestranza Cesar Grion 'Bull Ring'

That 'Latin American' bout would have netted both fighters around $150,000 each, from the
8000 seating capacity - Moorish Jewel 'Bull Ring'.

Here is where the 18 year-old Wilfred Benitez would have been 'slaughtered' by 'Kid Pambele'
in a legitimate Championship Bout.

This content is protected