How did Alfredo Evangelista ever get 2 title shots?

He was lucky to be at the right time when champions were looking for easy title wins. Maybe Holmes thought Evangelista had a bit of a name because Ali beat him, and he wanted to do it quicker to overcome his minority complex with Ali?

 

It has to do with the sport being international and the value of giving people from other places a shot at the world title.

 

1st time: Because The Drake was ducking Foreman rematch.

2nd time: Because The Mallard was ducking any decent contenders. :good

 

I agree. But I think that is what was at work here.

 

Evangelista's shot against Ali was extremely controversial. Somehow, he managed to obtain the lowest ranking that would make him eligible for a title shot. Ali was coming off his rugged 15 rounder against Norton, which was preceded by his being hospitalized to have his legs drained of blood following the Inoki fiasco in Japan, and with Shavers in the wings, he was probably seeking an easy title defense to determine if he had enough left in the tank to continue. Evangelista was only aiming to last the distance, and do well enough to establish himself as a credible contender for the EBU HW Title which Lucien Rodriguez had just won from Coopman. (Within four months, Evangelista had dethroned Rodriguez.) Ali and his handlers, being publicity conscious, were certainly also mindful of the fact that Evangelista was a native of Uruguay boxing out of Spain. Being the attention seeker Ali always was, this was a convenient way for him to get the attention of three continents at once. Geographics and demographics.

Evangelista's title shot against Holmes was far less controversial.

After Larry's war with Norton, he was looking for an easy defense against a reasonably credentialed but safe contender. As Evangelista had previous gone the distance with Ali, had held his EBU title for over a year, successfully defended it over the 15 round distance, and also had never been floored or knocked out, it was part of a good promotional card to hype up an eventual anticipated Holmes/Norton superfight rematch. (On that undercard, Kenny scored a one punch knockout over Randy Stephens in three.) Because Evangelista had never been floored or stopped, this defense was a good showcase barometer for Holmes, still largely an unknown quantity as a new champion, and an opportunity for him to cut his teeth as a defending titleholder.

 

I'm trying to be nice to the European posters on ESB. This is supposed to be a "world" championship. Hence, EBU and British champions occasionally would get title shots. (But yes, it's my understanding that Lucien, Alfredo and Lorenzo are Spanish for Larry, Moe and Curly.)

 

T'anks, Bloss!

 

I remember someone in print called him Alfredo the tomato, and oh was he awful! I don't believe Ali trained a week for him except maybe for extra bowls of ice cream and it was such an awful half sparring session.