On This Day… November 26th

Larry Holmes vs. Randall Cobb (1982)

Result: Holmes won by Unanimous Decision (UD) in 15 rounds.

Category: Heavyweight.

Larry Holmes, the WBC Heavyweight Champion at the time, delivered a boxing clinic and punished Randall “Tex” Cobb for 15 rounds in an extremely one-sided fight. Although Cobb showed incredible tenacity and refused to go down, Holmes dominated every round with his masterful jab and power. Commentator Howard Cosell announced he would retire from boxing narration after this fight, criticizing the lack of competition and the punishment Cobb endured.

Daniel Zaragoza vs. Valerio Nati (1988)

Result: Zaragoza won by Knockout (KO) in Round 5.

Category: Super Bantamweight.

 The legendary Mexican boxer Daniel Zaragoza defended his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against the local Valerio Nati in Italy. Zaragoza, known for his southpaw style and constant pressure, demonstrated his superiority by knocking out Nati in the fifth round, silencing the local crowd and solidifying his reign as the division’s champion.

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam vs. Hidenobu Honda (2002)

Result: Wonjongkam won by Unanimous Decision (UD) in 12 rounds.

Category: Flyweight.

Thailand’s Pongsaklek Wonjongkam successfully defended his WBC Flyweight Title against Japan’s Hidenobu Honda in Osaka. Pongsaklek, one of the longest-reigning and most dominant champions in the division, imposed his pace and technique to take a decision victory, maintaining his flyweight reign.

Hozumi Hasegawa vs. Juan Carlos Burgos (2010)

Result: Hasegawa won by Unanimous Decision (UD) in 12 rounds.

Category: Featherweight.

Japan’s Hozumi Hasegawa, already a two-division champion, made his first defense of his WBC Featherweight Title against the tough Mexican challenger Juan Carlos Burgos. It was a tactical and intense bout where Hasegawa used his experience and speed to neutralize Burgos and secure a decision victory, although the fight was competitive.

Takahiro Aoh vs. Vitaly Tajbert (2010)

Result: Aoh won by Unanimous Decision (UD) in 12 rounds.

Category: Super Featherweight.

On a double-header card in Nagoya, Japan, Takahiro Aoh defended his WBC Super Featherweight Title against Germany’s Vitaly Tajbert. Aoh dominated the contest using his reach and precise combinations, securing a clear unanimous decision victory.

Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs. Kermit Cintron (2011)

Result: Canelo won by Technical Knockout (TKO) in Round 5.

Category: Super Welterweight.

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez defended his WBC Super Welterweight Title against Kermit Cintron in Mexico City. The rapidly ascending Canelo showcased his power and finishing ability. After dropping Cintron in the fourth round, the Mexican finished him off in the fifth, forcing the referee to stop the action and consolidating “Canelo” as a sport’s star.

Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda (2022)

Result: Prograis won by Technical Knockout (TKO) in Round 11.

Category: Super Lightweight (Vacant Title).

Regis Prograis and Jose Zepeda faced off for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight Title in a highly anticipated fight between two southpaw punchers. The bout was a clash of styles and an exchange of power until Prograis, known as “Rougarou,” landed a devastating blow in the 11th round that led to the technical knockout, crowning him as the new world champion.