Esteban DeJesus 'Top Ranked Lightweight'

In the shadows of Top Lightweights Roberto Duran and Ken Buchanan, and
just a notch below Top Light-Welterweights Antonio Cervantes and Saensak Muangsurin
in the 1970's.

If anyone could be called the 'Top Ranked Lightweight', it was Esteban DeJesus.

Managed by Gregorio Benitez, the Puerto Rican 135 lb. DeJesus may have been
called great if he came to the Lightweight scene just a little later in time.

How would Esteban perform against future Lightweight Champions;
* Jim Watt
* Alexis Arguello
* Claude Noel
* Ernesto Espana
* Hilmer Kenty
* Sean O'Grady
* Arturo Frias
* Ray Mancini
* Andy Ganigan

 

Esteban DeJesus pounding Guts Ishimatsu (May 8, 1976)
Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Esteban on way to winning the WBC Lightweight Title. This was Esteban's 'third try'
at a World Title.

This was no easy try at a World Title. Japan's Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki, the WBC Lightweight
Champion was making his 6th defense of his title, which he had won in April 1974.

To get Guts Ishimatsu to come to Puerto Rico, the promoters had to pay Ishimatsu
a fight purse of $200,000, and unheard of sum back then.

The 37 year-old Ishimatsu was one tough customer. The 5' 8" fighter was as solid a
135 pounder as anyone, with a rock-hard body and a chin just as sturdy. A veteran of
48-bouts, with a record of 31-11-6 (17 KO's). Guts was a pressure fighter, who
could wear anyone down with his body attack and uncanny ability to absorb punches.

Since January 1972, Ishimatsu had gone 12-1-1, with his only loss to the great Roberto Duran.
And a Draw to hard-punching Arturo 'Tury the Fury' Pineda in a WBC Title defense.

How good was Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki. He had a style much like Roberto Duran, but without the power.
In 1975, Roberto had stated that Suzuki had been his toughest fight.

Esteban proved his worth as the #1 Lightweight, by pitching a virtual shut-out against
Guts Suzuki, utlizing hard left jabs and blistering right hand crosses.
Scorecards; 15-0-0, 13-0-2, 11-1-3

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Esteban a 'true lightweight',,,,,,

Papa Benitez let his son Wilfred box with Esteban, while preparing
the 'Wunderkind' for his bout with Antonio Cervantes.

De Jesus was a tad short for the Light-Welterweights.

 

Thank You Sir,,,,,,

He turned professional at only 17 1/2 years of age (February 1969),
as a Featherweight.

By the time he faced WBC Champion Ishimatsu Suzuki, Esteban had won
47 of 50 bouts (26 by knock-out). He was 25 1/2.

Only losses were to Antonio Gomez, Roberto Duran and Antonio Cervantes.

 

With Roberto Duran,,,,,,,,Epic Battles

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'Days Gone By'

Esteban De Jesus
His '2' epic battles in 1973 with another terrific lightweight Ray Lampkin were splendid bouts.

In 1972, Esteban had a wispy look on his 5' 4" frame.
But by 1976, he was much thicker in his back.
It must have a taken a toll on him to get down to 135 lbs.

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