January 14, 1979 Hiram Bithorn Stadium - San Juan, Puerto Rico WBC Welterweight Champion - Carlos Palomino took a '$465,000 Gamble' in Puerto Rico, versus 20 year-old Wilfred Benitez. The $465,000 fight purse that promoter Bob Arum put up to get Carlos to come to Puerto Rico was a record purse ever paid to Welterweight Champion. But, the 29 1/2 year-old Carlos could have gotten more money to fight WBA Welterweight Champion - Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas, in a bout that everyone wanted to see, with estimates of each fighter getting close to a $1,000,000 fight purse. Also, were other lucrative bouts, with Roberto Duran and 'media star' Ray Leonard, which could have been close to $750,000 pay-days for Carlos. But an injury problem put those bouts on hold, as Carlos broke his left hand on May 27, 1978 - when he defeated Armando Muniz by a 15-Round Decision in his 7th title defense. As for his opponent Wilfred Benitez, the 'Wunderkind' was offered a bout with Carlos Palomino back on March 18, 1978 in Las Vegas, but Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez turned it down. But Carlos looked at Wilfred as an 'easy defense', as he saw a 'flawed fighter' with a weak body and a 'chin of glass'. Carlos stated that Wilfred was 'not strong, and had been knocked down alot by mediocre fighters'.
Carlos Palomino, At age 29 1/2, was making his 8th Title Defense. Carlos carrying a record of 27-1-3 (15 KO's), and had made '7' defenses, including '5' knockouts. Obviously the harder puncher, Carlos at 5' 9" was an inch shorter than the 5' 10" Wilfred, but had a 1" reach advantage (71" to 70") over his Challenger. The 20 year, 4 month old 'Wunderkind', with a record of 36-0-1 (25 KO's), could box and avoid punches with the best of them, but did he have the 'guns' to hold Carlos off, and would his 'chin' hold up. In his last '13-bouts', Wilfred had gone 12-0-1, but had only scored '4' knockouts. The Skinny; Wilfred's defensive skills should be able to stall the 'slow starting' Champion over the first-half of the bout. But, as soon as Carlos hits Wilfred, the fight will be over. At Ringside, Ray Leonard, who was 'screening' Carlos Palomino, as his next possible opponent for his Quest for the Welterweight Championship. Other interested parties - Harold Weston Jr., Davey Boy Green and Pete Ranzany.
January 14, 1979 Was Carlos 'Hood-Winked' in Puerto Rico. Carlos found the 'Wunderkind' faster than he thought. And 8-months of inactivity affected Carlos' timing. Scorecards; Referee, Zach Clayton.....145-142 (8-5-2 - in Rounds for Carlos Palomino) Judge, Jay Edson............146-143 (7-4-4 - in Rounds for Wilfred Benitez) Judge, Harry Gibbs..........146-142 (8-4-3 - in Rounds for Wilfred Benitez) This content is protected
