Harold Weston

October 1977,

Harold Weston is next in-line for WBA Welterweight Champion, Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas.

A proposed bout is set for early-1978, provinding Cuevas gets by in his defense
versus former WBA Champion Angel Espada on November 11, 1977 in Puerto Rico.

The 25 year-old New Yorker, with a record of 24-6-5 (5 KO's) will have a warm-up
bout on October 27 at Madison Square Garden, in preparing for the Championship
Bout.

 

October 27, 1977

Harold Weston kept his hopes for a chance at the Welterweight Championship
by squeezing out a 10-Round Split-Decision over 'last-minute replacement'
Jose Rodriguez. Jose had defeated Harold 5 1/2 years earlier, in a Light-Middleweight
bout back in May 1972, when both were young prospects.

The 25 year-old, #3 WBA Welterweight was given a difficult time by the 'cutey'
26 year-old Jose Rodriguez, who laid back and countered Harold's aggressiveness,
by sliding and jabbing with quick lefts.

Harold was effective when he jabbed his way in, and stayed close. But in exchanges
from the outside, the taller Jose Rodriguez was suprisingly the quicker of the two.

Scorecards;
Referee.......6-4-0 (Harold Weston)
Judge.........6-4-0 (Jose Rodriguez)
Judge.........6-4-0 (Harold Weston)

Harold improves to 25-6-5, and will be fighting for the Welterweight
Championship in his next bout.

Jose Rodriguez, who was impressive despite losing, drops to 14-5-2.

Harold Weston, 'I tried to make the fight, but Jose just laid back and played
tap-tap. He's tricky, but I clearly was the aggressor in every round.'

Jose Rodriguez, 'I thought I earned a Draw. He didn't land much, as I countered
his every move.'

 

March 4, 1978

The Olympic Auditorium - Los Angeles, California

WBA Welterweight Championship

WBA Champion - Jose 'Pipino Cuevas 20-6-0 (18 KO's)
vs.
#2 WBA Challenger - 'Baby Harold' Weston 25-6-5 (6 KO's)

20 year-old WBA Champion - Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas (Mexico) will be defending his Welterweight Championship
for the '5th-time'. The quiet Champion has made 'no prediction' for Saturday's bout.

His opponent will be the 'crafty' 25 1/2 year-old Harold Weston (New York). Weston a '36-bout pro' has been
fighting professionally since 1970. the Challenger from New York said, 'that he will have no problem with the 'wild'
Champion, and will win, possibly by a late-stoppage. After that, I will unify the Welterweight Division by taking on
WBC Champion - Carlos Palomino within the year'.

'Slick-boxing' Harold Weston prepares for his Challenge at the WBA Welterweight Championship.

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Round 1: Harold goes to a stick-and-move style, while 'Pipino' presses. As Harold backs to a neutral corner, Pipino
unloads a 'booming' right-hand at the 1:18 Mark, that drives Harold into the ring-post. Harold is hurt, and 'Pipino'
starts wailing away with a 'two-fisted barrage'. The Olympic Auditorium erupts with chants of 'May-Hee-Co'.
Harold recovers, to slide out of harm's way. But Pipino gets in another hard right, which stuns Harold as he falls
through the rope strands. Harold recovers, to slide out of harm's way. (Cuevas' Round)

Round 2: Harold is back in the 'stick-and-move groove', and is boxing smart with left jabs, and straight rights
to the Champion's face. Pipino is patiently waiting for an opening. At the 1:50 Mark it happens, Pipino lands
several hard punches that drives Harold into a 'neutral corner', but Harold spins out and lands his own flurry
includung a hard-right to the Champion's jaw. When suddenly, Pipino lands another hard right-hand that hurts
Harold.

Pipino then rakes Harold with an assortment of bombs, while Harold is trapped in the corner. But Harold gets
out, and tries to fire back, when he is stunned with another left-right at the 2:30 Mark. Harold scampers
and slides over the last 20-Seconds of Round 2. (Cuevas' Round)

Round 3: The Champion comes out for Round 3 'arm-weary'. Harold goes right back to boxing, by sticking
in left jabs and sharp straight right-hands into the Pipino's face. Harold controls the entire round, and
exhibits an excellent display of 1-2's throughout. Pipino spends most of the round backing up, as he is
unable to cope with Weston's fast hands. (Weston's Round)

Round 4: Harold continued with his slick boxing, again with good left jabs, and stiff rights on the button.
Pipino showed that he had a 'granite chin', as he took several right hands without flinching. At the 2:00 mark,
Pipino made his late-round rally, and started whipping in hard left hooks to Harold's body. Both fighters
were on equal ground, until the last 20-Seconds, when Pipino tossed in a busy flurry while Howard could
not counter. (Even Round)

 

Harold got off to a 'fast start', and cut Vito badly over the left eye in
Round 2.

Vito made his charge in Rounds 3 and 4, and by the end of the 4th-Round
Harold was having a hard time keeping the 'bull' Vito off of him.

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Lead-Free,


After the Pipino Cuevas - Harold Weston bout, Carlos Palomino did comment that he
thought Harold was winning the bout after 8-Rounds.

Carlos stated, that Pipino was 'gassed' after the 2nd-round, and looked like he was
tired. If Harold had a good right-hand, he would have stopped Pipino in the 8th Round.

Though Pipino won, he was not impressive, as he was coasting trying to conserve
energy. He would never be able to do that with me, as I would have hit him in the
body and taken him out within 7-Rounds.

I may fight Harold Weston instead, as I was impressed with his performance.

 

Saturday - May 20, 1978

The Forum - Inglewood, California

On the undercard of the Pipino Cuevas vs. Billy Backus - WBA Welterweight Championship bout.

26 year-old - Harold Weston, coming back just 11-weeks after suffering a 'broken
jaw' at the hands of Pipino Cuevas in early-March 1978.

'Baby Harold', the #5 WBA Welterweight wins a 'solid' 10-Round Decision over
31 year-old - Jose Palacios (now 35-9-1, 23 KO's) a 'stablemate' of Pipino Cuevas.

The Associated Press scorecard, 98-95 (5-2-3 in Rounds) Harold Weston.

Harold utilized his quickness and ring generalship, to out-slick the Mexican brawler,
and was able to counter the tough charges of Palacios with numerous left-jabs and straight right hands to the face.

Harold improves to 26-7-5, and his Manager/Trainer Gil Clancy stated that they
would seek a 'rematch' with Pipino Cuevas for later this year, or challenge WBC Champion
Carlos Palomino.

 

Unable to secure a rematch with Pipino Cuevas, who had a 'mandatory bout' with the
#1 WBA-ranked Challenger - Pete Ranzany in September 1978.

October 14, 1978

'Baby Harold' Weston takes on 'Slingin' Sammy Masias 17-5-1 (15 KO's), a hard-punching
26 year-old - Florida Welterweight, for a scheduled bout in Houston, Texas.

The WBA has stated, that if Sammy Masias can 'upset' Harold Weston, he will get
a Title opportunity versus Pipino Cuevas in January 1979.

On the other hand, Harold is hoping for his own chance versus Pipino, and/or a shot at
WBC Champion - Carlos Palomino.

The Fight

Hardol plays it 'cool' over the first 2-Rounds, as he calmly lets Sammy Masias bang away, while
he lays on the ropes and smartly counter-puunches. In Rounds 3 and 4, Harold steps up his attack,
and turns agggressor, and starts landing his 'standard left-jabs and straight right-hands to Masias' chin,
backing the hard-banger backwards.

In Round 5, 'Baby Harold' starts whacking Masias in the body, then brings his hard punches upstairs
where he drops Sammy for a '7-Count'. Masias after rising, tries to slide away, but Harold pins him
in a neutral-corner, and drops in '2' right-hands that drop Sammy Masias for the 'full-count'.

The 26 1/2 year-old Harold Weston improves to 27-7-5 (7 KO's).

 

WBC Champion - Wilfred Benitez will 'defend' his crown for the 'first time' versus
'old nemises' the crafty Harold Weston, the #6 WBC-ranked Challenger.

The bout will be set for Sunday Afternoon on March 29, 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

The winner has signed to fight the #3 WBC Welterweight 'Davey Boy' Green of England
in Monte Carlo on May 26, 1979.

The 20 year-old Champion 'Wunderkind', has posted a 37-0-1 (25 KO's) record. Wilfred
won the WBC Championship in January 1979 (2-months earlier) over Carlos Palomino.

The 26 1/2 year-old Harold Weston - a New York Welterweight, has compiled a record
of 27-7-5 (7 KO's), and has fought a deep group of champions and top contenders
in his 8+ year career, including holding the 'undefeated' Wilfred Benitez to a 10-Round Draw
in February 1977.

In Harold's only Championship challenge, he suffered a damaged left eye and a broken jaw in
losing by a TKO 9 to WBA Welterweight Champion - Pipino Cuevas in March 1978 (one-year earlier).

WBC Welterweight Rankings
** Wilfred Benitez
1 - Carlos Palomino
2 - Roberto Duran
3 - Davey Boy Green
4 - Ray Leonard
5 - Thomas Hearns
6 - Harold Weston
7 - Pete Ranzany
8 - Dan De Guzman
9 - Clyde Gray
10- Randy Shields

 

March 29, 1979 (Hiram Bithorn Stadium - San Juan, Puerto Rico)

The Skinny

Inside the Hiram Bithorn Stadium (open air) it is extremely hot and humid. A canvas
canopy top has been placed over the ring, to shield the sun. But, with the angle of
the setting sun, Harold Weston's corner was in the full heat of the sun, while the
Champion Benitez had the benefit of a full-shade cover.

The Fight

Both the Champion - Wilfred Benitez and Challenger - Harold Weston neutralized
each other for the first '4-Rounds', as they 'mirrored' each other.

The Challenger controlled the pace, as he was the aggressor and made the fight, as
the Champion was the counter-puncher. In Round 4, Benitez did land a good right hand
to Weston's left eye, which caused a swelling over his eye.

Thru 4 Rounds, Harold Weston was the effective aggressor, and had a 'Big Edge' on the scorecards.
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In Round 5, the pattern turned to a 'grueling-pace', as both fighters went toe-to-toe,
slamming each other with good punches. The Champion, a natural southpaw, was able
to get in several good left hands, while the Challenger stayed with his standard left-right
one-two's.

At the end of Round 5, Wilfred returned to his corner with a 'slight abrasion' over his left
eye, courtesy of a Weston right hand.

Round Even.
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But in the 'middle rounds', Wilfred was able to score with hard left hands (jabs and leads)
and swift right-hands to stall Harold's offense.

In Round 6, the Champion had his 'best round', by scoring with an assortment of punches,
but he still had to hold-off a late 25-second rally by the 'tough' Challenger.

Round for Wilfred Benitez.

In Round 7, Wilfred was a bit busier and landed a few more harder punches over Harold,
as the pace of the fight was still at a 'brisk-rate'. Benitez rattled Harold with a right-hand, and was
able to get off several good scoring punches before Weston re-grouped. Harold then pressed,
and focused on double left hooks, first the body then to the head.

Round for Wilfred Benitez.

Round 8, the Champion was in control for the first half of the round, as Harold slowed down
a gear. Benitez did land a good overhand right, and kept Weston off at a safe distance.
But, in the second-half of the round, Harold made his charge with a hard body attack, backing
the Champion up, while scoring with his own good punches.

Round Even.

Thru '8-Rounds', the Challenger Harold Weston had the edge, but the Champion had fought
better over the last '3-Rounds'.
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In Round 9, the Champion was little sharper, and started to throw hard overhand rights, as
he was finally able to back Harold to the ropes. Benitez kept the Challenger with his back
up against the ropes near the Champion's corner as both fighers threw punches.

Benitez threw the harder punches, as Weston was a bit busier. The Champion edged out the round.

Round for Wilfred Benitez.

In Round 10, both fighters looked a bit weary, as the heat under the canvas canopy was intense.
The pace stayed slow, as each fighter was trying to catch a 'second-wind'. Wilfred while trying to
fight in the ring, was distracted by his father Gregorio, who was trying to get into his corner at
ringside, and yell instructions to his son.

Benitez tries to get off, but he was tossing slow 3-punch combinations. Weston countered with left
hooks to the body, but by the end of the round, the heat had sapped his strength.

Round Even.
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Davey Boy Green, who was at Ringisde, had the bout 'Even' after 10-Rounds.
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Round 11, the Champion is little fresher, and starts to score - but with 'pitty-pat punches, as Harold
pursues, but does not throw any punches. By the mid-way point, Benitez has won the first-half of
the round.

But, the Challenger will not be discouraged, and starts to be more aggressve, throwing 1-2's while
Benitez moves in a defensive mode and offers up no offense. Harold keeps throwing while Wilfred
does nothing over the last 1:30.

Round 11 for Harold Weston.

Between Rounds, Gregory Benitez (chief cornerman) fights to keep Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez from entering
the ring. Throwing the Benitez corner into confusion.
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Round 12, Confusion in the Chamion's corner, as chief cornerman Gregory Benitez has a hard time keeping
Gregorio 'Papa' Bentiez out of the corner.

Benitez comes out in a southpaw stance, as Harold stalks, Wilffred then switches to orthodox, as Harold
paw's with his punches. After 1:15 of time, nothing exciting has happened, as both fighters lightly punch.

Then, at the 1:28 Mark, Benitez lands a wicked left hook which stuns Weston, than Wilfred follows with
an overhand right that wobbles Harold. Benitez then pounces, and drives Weston to the ropes, and then
backs him into a 'neutral corner', where he rips away with a flurry.

Amazingly, with 25-seconds left, Weston bounces back, and lands his own good punches while
backing up an arm-weary Champion.

Round 12 for Wilfred Benitez.

After the Round, Gregorio Benitez meets his son in his corner, and takes over, as he pours water over
his sons head, and rubs down both his legs. Before the bell for Round 13, Gregorio slaps Wilfred in the
face.

 

Lead-Free

Wide-range scorecard for the Benitez vs. Weston II fight.

Referee, Richard Steele..........149-138 (11-2-2 in Rounds)
Judge, Waldemar Schmidt.......144-142 (8-6-1 in Rounds)
Judge, Cesar Ramos...............146-145 (5-4-6 in Rounds)

If Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez saw Richard Steele's scorecard, he would have never
entered his son's corner and slapped him in the face.

Not sure what fight Richard Steele was scoring while he was in the ring, but it
sure wasn't his fight.

Harold Weston, 'I was not used to an open-air stadium, and the heat in the ring really affected
my endurance. By the 10th-Round I was tired, as it was hard to breath in the heavy air. I had a
difficult time making 147 lbs., and taking off the weight took alot out of me. I'm going up to
154 lbs., and will look to go after the WBA Champion from Japan (Masashi Kudo).

 

LH,

Wilfred Benitez needed a 'strong rally' in Rounds 12, 13 and 14 to pull it out over
Harold Weston in the WBC Championship bout in Puerto Rico.

Harold, who had built up a 'solid' lead after 7-Rounds, hung tough in the grueling
rounds of 8 thru 11, and had a lead on the scorecards.

But Harold was drained by the high-heat in the open air Hiram Bithron Stadium,
and was tired after 11-Rounds.

Scorecards after 11-Rounds (in rounds)
Referee, Richard Steele.........7-2-2 (Wilfred Benitez)
Judge, Waldemar Schmidt......6-5-0 (Harold Weston)
Judge, Cesar Ramos..............4-2-5 (Harold Weston)

Harold lost Rounds 12, 13 and 14, but did hold Wilfred 'even' in Round 15.

Caribbean Boxing News Scorecard;

W-W-W-E-W - B-B-E-B-E - W-B-B-B-E == 6-5-4 (Wilfred Benitez)
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Ray Leonard did not choose to fight Harold Weston in mid-1979.

"Too risky"