He certainly seems to be one of the more overlooked greats, I can barely find anything to read on the *******. When I can, it's about him being bludgeoned by Pryor or outpointed by Benitez/Locche. Would someone be able to give me a rundown on his career? I've only seen his fight with Pryor. Landed some very pointy counters and did better than I thought he would have given the situation of each fighter at the time (not saying much)
He got the upperhand on Locche in their last fight. He was past his prime when he fought Pryor. Benitez is a beast, and was a edging past his prime then also. He beat Esteban De Jesus too
Don't know much about the history of his career per se, but I've seen all there is to see on youtube and he is great to watch. He used his height and reach very well and was very fluid, despite not being terribly fast. Like all Latin fighters at the time, extremely well schooled. He was one of those guys who comes to mind when we discuss fighters who don't seem to have a lot of athletic gifts, but show how far you can go by really learning your craft.
Cervantes is from San Basilio de Palenque, a very small town with only 3 thousand of people but where kids were taught how to fight since an early age.....Prudencio Cardona and Ricardo Cardona are from there too, and Rodrigo Valdez as well (in Boxrec he is listed as being from Cartagena, but I have read differently before, saying that he is from San Basilio de Palenque)... can you imagine that ? A town with only 3,000 people have produced 4 great boxers ? Quite impressive.
I was at the Olympic Auditorium when he stopped Rodolfo Gonzalez....First time I had seen Cervantes and I was impress with him. 1970-12-17 135½ Rodolfo Gonzalez 136½ This content is protected - This content is protected - This content is protected Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, W TKO 8-10 referee: Lee Grossman | judge: Abe Cohen | judge: Rudy Jordan Gonzalez was stopped on a cut left eye. Gonzalez was knocked down in the 1st, Cervantes in the 3rd round.
