Best I Faced: Alfredo Escalera

Proficient boxer-puncher Alfredo Escalera held the WBA junior light-weight title within the mid Nineteen Seventies. The energetic titleholder made 10 profitable defenses earlier than shedding an all-time traditional to the legendary Alexis Arguello.

Escalera was born in Carolina, within the north east of Puerto Rico on March 21, 1952.

“I used to be born in ‘La Cerámica,’ a neighborhood in Carolina, which is an industrial zone,” Escalera advised The Ring by means of Fernando Gaztambide. “Our financial scenario was precarious, there have been 9 of us. The way in which we helped was by delivering meals which my mom ready. After I was a bit older, I labored with my dad in development.”

As a teen he was usually concerned in altercations and issues escalated from there.

“I fought in school and across the neighborhood too,” he defined. “It looks as if it was already in my veins at delivery. A neighbor began taking me to the gymnasium. I used to be about 10 or 11-years-old after I began.”

Issues moved up a gear when his mother and father divorced and he moved to New York together with his mom, dwelling there from 1964 till 1970. In his ultimate 12 months within the Huge Apple, Escalera gained the New York Golden Gloves sub-novice 135-pound championship.

“That was like profitable a gold medal within the Olympics.” stated Escalera, who had 37 newbie fights.

Escalera made his skilled debut with a fourth-round win over journeyman Bobby Payzant in September 1970. Nevertheless, he needed to study on the job, combing a day job and boxing and went a middling 12-5 in his first 17 fights.

One thing clicked and the Puerto Rican ran off 14 consecutive victories and was rewarded by promoter Ernesto Gallardo, who invited him to Mexico.

“Gallardo talked about that I could possibly be given the chance for a world title,” he defined. “In that point, I had 4 fights, of which, I solely gained two. However the doorways opened to me to satisfy different folks within the boxing atmosphere.

“I met Professor Ramón Velázquez, who was the president of the WBC at the moment, and Don Fraser, who was a promoter and supervisor. I did my exercises on the Velázquez gymnasium. My coach was Víctor Valle, I discovered loads from him and his coaching periods and so they gave me the publicity I wanted. Velázquez noticed a possible in me to turn out to be a world champion.”

Fraser brokered a cope with Keodo Promotions for Escalera to face WBC titleholder Kuniaki Shibata in Hitachinaka, Japan in July 1975.

“My expertise in Japan was excellent,” he stated. “Upon our arrival on the airport there have been greater than 200 journalists, one thing new for me. The reception was like a champion, they allow us to use a limousine to journey round. The group appeared good. We had bodyguards for our security and safety.”

After a tentative opening Escalera sprang into life late within the second-round gorgeous Kuniaki with a mixture that left the defending champion flat on his again.

“I didn’t think about that I may beat him so quick,” he stated of his coronation. “On the finish, Kuniaki hugged me, a gesture of respect and admiration. Kuniaki proved to be a real champion. I’ll always remember that night time. I achieved all the pieces I had dreamed of, to be a world champion.”

Escalera was greeted by throngs of his countrymen on the airport and the foremost held a parade in Carolina in his honor.

“I arrived on the sq. of my city, I by no means imagined seeing so many individuals,” he recalled. “My folks made me really feel so pleased, I didn’t anticipate it. They positioned me on the balcony of the previous city corridor from there I may see all the pieces.”

Escalera rapidly established his credentials and embodied the time period world champion, often defending his title on the highway in Venezuela in opposition to Leonel Hernandez (D 15), Norway in opposition to Svein Paulsen (TKO 9), Japan in opposition to Buzzsaw Yamabe (TKO 6/ UD 15).

“I’ve one of the best recollections,” he stated. “Reaching the nations as champion was one of the best, the respect, the admiration of the folks, that was what stuffed me with pleasure.”

Escalera’s seventh title protection in opposition to Tyrone Everett was significantly noteworthy. He traveled to the unbeaten challenger’s hometown of Philadelphia in November 1976.

“He was a really awkward southpaw, he favored to counter-attack, he had lots of motion within the ring that the followers favored loads,” recalled Escalera, who edged issues by razor skinny 15-round cut up resolution. “When a combat reaches the restrict, 15 rounds, and it’s a must to resolve there may be at all times controversy, that at all times occurs.

“I keep in mind that I felt concern it was not a one-sided combat, we had fought very evenly, his fashion of shifting loads bothered me as a result of I wished him to cease to combat. It was probably the most controversial combat of my whole profession.”

The 2 had been on account of face one another in a rematch in June 1977. Nevertheless, Everett was murdered by his girlfriend.

“His loss of life affected me loads, personally and emotionally,” stated Escalera. “His loss of life created extra doubts in regards to the final result of the combat and creating extra controversy. They had been tough instances. I at all times regretted his loss of life. He was a warrior and a champion.”

In January 1978, Escalera was matched with rising star Alexis Arguello, who had vacated his featherweight crown in quest of additional glory up at 130-pounds.

“The fights with Arguello weren’t fights, they had been wars,” stated Escalera, who was stopped in 13 rounds. “It took me time to just accept that I misplaced. The primary combat was in Puerto Rico. Referee Arthur Mercante stopped the combat, due to the cuts, I used to be very indignant as a result of I felt that I may beat him. The adrenaline requested me to proceed. The fact was I bleeding an excessive amount of and Alexis additionally seemed very damage.”

“El Salsero” had a rematch clause and the second combat came about in Rimini, Italy in February 1979.

“A warfare occurred from begin to end,” he stated. “I discovered that Alexis was a real champion. A really honest friendship was born between us. I traveled a number of instances to Nicaragua to go to him. Alexis and I shared some great moments. He had a really massive coronary heart. Perhaps I misplaced each battles however I gained a real pal. Of their nation they at all times revered me and welcomed me with love.”

The Puerto Rican continued his profession with reasonable success till retiring with a document of 53-14-3 (31 knockouts) in 1983.

“I labored for the Division of Housing in Puerto Rico for a number of years,” he stated of his life after boxing. “Then I had issues with my eye-sight. I moved away from the gymnasium that I used to be so enthusiastic about on the advice of my ophthalmologist. I’m at present retired. I’ve a farm and I wish to work on it, I plant and domesticate.”

Escalera, now 69, is married, lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico and has seven kids, eight grandchildren and one nice grandson.

“They’re my happiness they make me chuckle out loud,” he stated proudly. “I like once they go to me as a result of there is no such thing as a restrict to the quantity of sweets or desserts when they’re.”

The previous titleholder graciously took time to talk to The Ring about one of the best he fought in 10 key classes.

BEST JAB

Jose Fernandez: José Fernández was a really sturdy boxer, his jab was highly effective, the jab was accompanied by braveness within the ring. He simply stored throwing punches all over the combat.

BEST DEFENSE

Alexis Arguello: He was a lot taller than me, his stye of combating was together with his arms excessive and tightly closed. He knew the way to defend himself very nicely.

BEST HANDSPEED

Ronnie McGarvey: He was very quick, he threw lots of blows, it was his means of combating, attacking from the start with totally different handspeed to confuse me.

BEST FOOTWORK

Ray Lunny III: He moved very nicely within the ring, a lot in order that I assumed he was a wrestler, an excessive amount of grabbing and holding too.

SMARTEST

Arguello: I think about him sensible as a result of he advised me that he would by no means face me in a combat once more, as a result of the third time was a attraction and I’d win.

STRONGEST

Leonel Hernandez: He was my first title protection, simply 77 days after I gained the WBC title in Japan. Leonel Hernandez was a bodily sturdy boxer.

BEST CHIN

Arguello: He endured lots of blows. I threw proper and left hooks and he confirmed no ache, simply continued combating. Hernandez was knocked out solely two instances in 61 skilled fights. Hernandez lined himself nicely and had an incredible chin. A number of blows to the liver and jaw, I assumed he was taking place however this Venezuelan actually is a warrior.

BEST PUNCHER

Hernandez: My combat with him was a draw, he hit onerous. Robust combat. I did really feel his energy however I used to be in a position to take them very nicely.

BEST BOXING SKILLS

Tyrone Everett: He was very quick within the ring, he knew the way to dodge punches nicely. He was a whole boxer, punching, fashion, protection, he utilized all the pieces within the combat.

BEST OVERALL

Arguello: Arguello and I fought a give and take warfare, we had been each very aggressive, the thought was to attach punches, jabs, hooks, uppercuts, seeking to win the combat. Arguello knew the way to brawl and field from distance too.

Fernando Gaztambide helped co-ordinate and translate this function. The Ring appreciated his help.

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