'The Hawaiian Punch' Andy Ganigan

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You Tube has the Alfredo Escalara vs. Carlos Becerril fight.

It was in May 1977, at Capitol Centre, Maryland.

The fight was broadcast on ABC-TV in prime time. It was on
the undercard of the Muhammad Ali vs. Alfredo Evangilista title fight.

Howard Cosell made several references on how tough Carlos was,
'he's a tough kid'.

Had a wide open style, much like Ruben Olivares. He had Escalara in a
bit of trouble in the 5th and 6th Rounds, and again early in the 7th
before getting clocked with a big right hand in the 8th.

His fight record was a bit of a mystery, but he was listed as
18-3-0 (17 KO's), and was rated #10 by the WBC as a Super-Featherweight
prior to his bout with Escalara.

He had a couple of wins at 135 lbs., before getting KO'd by Andy Ganigan in Hawaii {May 1978}

 

Honolulu Register
May 30, 1978

'Ganigan Blasts Out Becerril in Two, Seeks Title Fight'

Andy Ganigan, 'The Hawaiian Punch' blasted out former WBC Super-Featherweight
Title contender Carlos Becerril in 2 rounds tonight, in a lightweight fight for the
NABF Championship.

The 25 year-old Ganigan improved to 24-0-0 when he knocked out the California-based
Becerril with a two-handed assault, dropping his opponent for the full count in the short bout.
Referee Wilbert Minn counted out the losing Becerril at just 0:55 of the second round.
It was Ganigan's 22nd knock-out win in 24-bouts. Carlos Becerril drops to 20-5-0.

Andy is hoping to fight for a version of the World Lightweight Championship soon,
as he is the Top-Rated Lightweight in both the World Boxing Council and
World Boxing Association organizations.

Fight Purses;
Andy Ganigan........$15,000
Carlos Becerril........$10,000

 

Magoo Man,,,,,,

'The Hawaiian Punch' had a few bouts on CBS-TV Sports.
vs. Rodolfo Gonzalez
vs. Sean O'Grady
vs. Alexis Arguello
vs. Jimmy Paul

Also USA Network (Tape Delay)
vs. Ernesto Garfias
vs. Iganacio Campos
vs. Vicente Mijares Saldivar (both fights)
vs. Carlos Becerril
vs. German Cuello
vs. Johny Lira

 

Honolulu Register
June 1978

The popular 'Hawaiian Punch' Andy Ganigan, will defend his NABF Lightweight Title
next week versus Los Angeles, California lightweight German Cuello.

The 25 year-old Ganigan will attempt to make his 2nd defense of the Title.
The bout will be scheduled for 12-rounds, and to take place Tuesday Night
at the Blaisdell Center.

German Cuello, the NABF #3 Rated Lightweight, has recently been fighting on the
Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada. Cuello, an aggressive fighter with a good right hook,
is the hottest lightweight on the Las Vegas circuit, as he has won 14-straight fights
enroute to a 23-2-0 record.

Mr. Cuello has been guaranteed $6000 for his fight purse.

 

Honolulu Register
June 20, 1978

'Ganigans Scores 25th Win'

Andy Ganigan retained his NABF Lightweight Title tonight at the Blaisdell Center with
a 9th round Knock-out over Challenger German Cuello. It was the Hawaiian's
25th straight win without a defeat.

The southpaw Ganigan, used his powerful combinations to batter Cuello to the
canvas in the 9th round. Referee Manuel Tolentino called a halt to the bout at
1:03 of the 9th round. 'The Hawaiin Punch' took control of the fight in the
middle rounds, and scored heavily on the West-Coast fighter in the 8th and 9th rounds.

Approximately 6300 fight fans were on hand to see Ganigans second defense of the NABF Title.
The crowd witnessed an exciting match, as both fighters went toe-to-toe
in the early rounds, forgetting about any defense. But as the fight went on, it was Ganigan's
harder punching that overwhelmed German Cuello.

Andy Ganigan improved to 25-0-0, while German Cuello fell to 23-3-0.

Fight Purses;
Andy Ganigan.........$15,000
German Cuello.........$6,000

 

Boxing Report, July 1978

World Lightweight Champion Roberto Duran of Panama has not defended his Championship Belt
since January 1978.

Though regarded as the best 135 lb. fighter in the world, it is doubtful whether
he can make the Lightweight fighting limit. Duran has been fighting at the 140 lb. level
in recent fights, and there are no plans for a title defense. But both the WBC and WBA
boxing organizations are still recognizing him as the champion. No mandatory defenses
are required until January 1979.

#1 Lightweight, Esteban De Jesus has also been campaigning at the 140 lb.
Light-Welterweight level. De Jesus has set his sights on WBC Champion, Saensak
Muangsurin, and the Puerto Rican star is hoping for a title shot at the end of the
year.

The current top lightweights are;
1 - Esteban De Jesus
2 - Andy Ganigan
3 - Alfredo Pitalua
4 - Edwin Viruet
5 - Giancarlo Usai
6 - Vilomar Fernandez
7 - Claude Noel
8 - Jim Watt
9 - Maurice Watkins
10-Vicente Mijares Saldivar

 

Honolulu Register
July 24, 1978

The World Rated #1 Lightweight, Andy 'The Hawaiian Punch' Ganigan will
battle Las Vegas-based Jonny Lira next Tuesday at the Blaisdell Center.

Ganigan, who is seeking a World Title shot, will take on the undefeated
Lira in a scheduled 12-Round bout. Ganigan, if he wins, has been
guaranteed a slot for the WBA Lightweight Championship.

'The Hawaiian Punch', is currently the NABF Lightweight Champion, but that
title is not on the line, as Johnny Lira is not ranked in the Top 10 of that
Federation. Instead, the United States Boxing Association (USBA) has sanctioned
this match for the vacant Championship, as both fighters are ranked in the Top 10
of this organization.

Johnny Lira, a Chicago native, has fought exclusively in Nevada,
and was a regular at the Silver Slipper Casino Wednesday-night fight circuit in 1977.
Lira is a rough-n-tough club fighter with a record of 14-0-1 (8 KO's), but he has not
been active, as he has had only 1-fight in the past year, a 10-Round decision win
over highly-regarded California-lightweight Rogelio Castaneda in January 1978.

Ganigan who is undefeated in 25-bouts is heavily favored to win this bout.

 

How hard a puncher,,,,,

135 lb. Andy Ganigan put away tough Curtis Ramsey in 2-rounds.

The same Curtis Ramsey who went
* 10 Rounds with Donald Curry
* 10 Rounds with Tony Ayala Jr.
* 12 Rounds with Julian Jackson

Just to name a few bombers at 147 lbs. and 154 lbs.