Young Pipino Cuevas destroys Angel Espada

Cuevas had his number dialed in. I feel like Espada squandered his potential with his lackadaisical work ethic. He really had fine skills.

 

a modern ay Bob Fitzsimmons, a miniature George Foreman. Three tries and Angel couldnt past Cuevas, who was unbeatable

 

I'm not even being conservative when mentioning his effects. Yes, he is another Fitzsimmons, a freak of nature. Pipino was well known for breaking speed bags and bones. Opponents more skilled than Pipino would become less effective as the rounds passed becuz of the effects of the poundings and was only a matter of time before they became victims

 

I was wondering about this bout.

Cuevas got this title shot despite having lost his previous fight with Andy Price. How he "earned" a title shot is beyond me. His record prior to meeting Espada was also very unimpressive.

Anyway, I was wondering if there had ever been any fighter in any weight class who went into a title bout having lost his previous fight....and then gone on to win the title. Anyone think of anybody?

 

Hearns beat him though.

 

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 1976 was the Year of the Dragon. Only Pipino didn't need fire.

 

Yup, After being the youngest Welterweight Champion ever (18). 11 succesful title defenses . (10 consecutive knockouts) still a Welterweight record. Oh yeah, & Two broken jaws, plus a broken orbital bone. Not too shabby.

 

Espadas was so laid back he was almost horizontal though.Just strolling along taking it easy, one of those fighters who always seemed to be in 2nd gear.I don't think he expected anything from Cuevas, who was picked as an easy defence, which made it worse.

 

:good

Angel gets criticized for being too laid back but when faced with terrifying power you have no choice but to fight a conservative fight and pick your shots. How else are you supposed to fight someone like that?

 

Jorge Lujan ''earned'' a title shot by losing his previous fight before dethroning Z boy Alfonso Zamora

 

There was a story on this, which I corroborated with Andy Price. Espada is stting at ringside with his manager (I think it was Yamil Chade) at the Price-Cuevas fight and after the fight Espada says to the manager, "Him! I want to defend my title against him!" Chade says, "Oh, OK, you want to fight Andy "The Hawk" Price?" Espada looks at him and says, "No, I want to fight Cuevas." He was just looking for an easy fight. In all reality, the WBA should have just stepped in and said no, he's not a qualified contender, if you want to fight him, fight a non-title ten rounder. Which is exactly what it should have been. But we all know about criteria and integrity when it comes to these organizations. And of course, as history knows, Cuevas took out a complacent Espada and made a very long title tenure of it. At least in his two subsequent challenges, a better prepared Espada gave Cuevas two wars. Espada is underrated today. He was top notch back in the day.

Scartissue

 

Nah, that kind of status is reserved for fighters that are actually good enough to beat HOF comp.

Which is why he came into this fight OFF OF A LOSS. :rofl