We Generally neglect how nice Jose “Pipino” Cuevas actually was, not less than we maybe are likely to neglect what a terrific and monstrous puncher Cuevas was. It was on this present day in 1976, when an 18 yr outdated Cuevas scored a giant upset in destroying defending WBA welterweight champ Angel Espada of Puerto Rico. This was one Mexico Vs. Puerto Rico match up that didn’t final too lengthy in any respect, though Cuevas and Espada would combat one another 3 times, with Cuevas successful all three fights by KO or stoppage.
Upon coming into the ring on the Plaza de Toros in Calafia, Mexico, 18 yr outdated Cuevas was an average-looking 15-6(13), and Cuevas, who started boxing as a professional on the tender age of 14, had been KO’d in his debut. Now, in opposition to the 36-7-4 Espada, who was making his second title defence and had by no means been stopped, Cuevas was a big underdog. Espada, who was 28 years of age, figured to have an excessive amount of expertise for his teenage challenger.
As an alternative, in a surprising efficiency, Cuevas dropped Espada with an enormous left hook in spherical two, with the badly harm champ by no means recovering. Espada bought again up however he was pinned in a nook and barely upright as Cuevas unloaded bombs on him. Downed a second time by one other huge left to the pinnacle, Espada was achieved. As an alternative of waving the combat off, nevertheless, referee Larry Rozadilla allowed the beating to hold on. Lastly, after he was decked a 3rd time, Espada was rescued by the seemingly bloodthirsty third man.
Cuevas had made historical past by turning into the youngest ever welterweight champion. Some 11 title retentions would observe, with Cuevas, who actually did have bone-crunching punching energy, stopping Espada twice extra (in spherical 12 within the rematch, and by way of tenth spherical TKO of their third assembly). However nearly as good as he was – you would argue nice – Cuevas is right now finest remembered for his dropping combat with Thomas Hearns in August of 1980.
Hearns, who was the brand new puncher of the division, did as harmful a demolition job on Cuevas as Cuevas had achieved on Espada, with Cuevas falling in spherical two in opposition to “The Hitman.” Three years later, in a combat that, had he gained it, Cuevas could be remembered a complete lot in a different way right now, “Pipino” was stopped in 4 rounds by one other legend in Roberto Duran.
Cuevas fought on till September of 1989, when a fast stoppage loss to Lupe Aquino (spherical two as soon as once more, this spherical serving as Cuevas’ fortunate and likewise unfortunate spherical) satisfied him to retire. Ending with a modest-looking 35-15(31) document, Cuevas was inducted into The Corridor of Fame in 2002.
A savage puncher, but additionally a warrior who was stopped within the two greatest fights of his profession, “Pipino” Cuevas had some thrilling, up and down profession.
