On This Day… December 11th

Sandro Mazzinghi vs. Fortunato Manca (December 11, 1964)

Result: Victory for Sandro Mazzinghi by Unanimous Decision (Dec 15).

Division: Super Welterweight (Sw).

Location: Rome, Italy.

Review: The Italian champion Sandro Mazzinghi, an adored figure in his country, successfully defended his Super Welterweight World crown against his compatriot Fortunato Manca. It was a tense, 15-round battle in front of a fervent crowd. Mazzinghi, known for his aggression and high pace, imposed his will and punishment on Manca throughout most of the bout, retaining the title by unanimous decision.

Kuniaki Shibata vs. Vicente Saldivar (December 11, 1970)

Result: Victory for Kuniaki Shibata by Technical Knockout (TKO 14).

Division: Featherweight (Fe).

Location: Tijuana, Mexico.

Review: This was a historic upset. The Mexican champion and legend, Vicente Saldivar, was returning from retirement to face the talented Japanese fighter Kuniaki Shibata. The fight was a war of attrition. Shibata proved to be younger, fresher, and more resilient than the veteran Saldivar. Shibata’s pace and precision prevailed, leading the referee to stop the fight in the penultimate round (the 14th), marking a generational shift and the first knockout defeat for the great Saldivar.

Rafael Limón vs. Ildefonso Bethelmi (December 11, 1980)

Result: Victory for Rafael Limón by Knockout (KO 15).

Division: Super Featherweight (Sfe).

Location: Los Angeles, U.S.A.

Review: Rafael “Bazooka” Limón defended his Super Featherweight World Title with a dramatic knockout in the final round against Venezuela’s Ildefonso Bethelmi. The fight was intense, with both fighters leaving everything in the ring. Limón, known for his aggressive style and power, managed to finish the bout just when it seemed the fight would go to the scorecards, proving that his nickname “Bazooka” was well deserved.

Bobby Chacon vs. Rafael Limón (December 11, 1982)

Result: Victory for Bobby Chacon by Unanimous Decision (Dec 15).

Division: Super Featherweight (Sfe).

Location: Sacramento, U.S.A.

Review: This was the fourth and final meeting of one of boxing’s most epic rivalries, often cited as one of the greatest fights of all time. The title was on the line. Bobby Chacon and Rafael Limón fought a brutal 15-round battle in California. Both were knocked down in a back-and-forth spectacle. Chacon got up from the canvas in the tenth round and returned with determination in the championship rounds to secure an emotional unanimous decision victory, putting an end to the unforgettable saga between the two.

Germán Torres vs. Soon Jung Kang (December 11, 1988)

Result: Victory for Germán Torres by Unanimous Decision (Dec 12).

Division: Light Flyweight (Lf).

Location: Kimhae, South Korea.

Review: The Mexican Germán Torres traveled to South Korea to defend his Light Flyweight World Title against the local challenger Soon Jung Kang. The fight was a typical confrontation between warriors of the lighter divisions, marked by speed and constant action. Torres demonstrated his technical superiority and experience, managing to win by unanimous decision from the judges, a significant victory on foreign soil.

Luisito Espinosa vs. Manuel Medina (December 11, 1995)

Result: Victory for Luisito Espinosa by Decision (Dec 12).

Division: Featherweight (Fe).

Location: Tokyo, Japan.

Review: The Filipino Luisito Espinosa successfully defended his Featherweight World Title against the Mexican Manuel “Mantecas” Medina. It was a clash of styles: Espinosa’s power and speed versus Medina’s intelligence and strategic boxing. Espinosa managed to land the most impactful punches and was more effective over the course of the 12 rounds, taking the victory by decision.

Juan Carlos Gómez vs. Napoleo Tagoe (December 11, 1999)

Result: Victory for Juan Carlos Gómez by Technical Knockout (TKO 9).

Division: Cruiserweight (Cr).

Location: Hamburg, Germany.

Review: The Cuban Juan Carlos Gómez, known as “Black Panther,” made a solid defense of his Cruiserweight title. Gómez, a southpaw known for his height and reach, controlled the fight with his jab and combinations. The constant punishment proved too much for the Ghanaian Napoleo Tagoe, and the bout was stopped in the ninth round in favor of the Cuban.

Vitali Klitschko vs. Danny Williams (December 11, 2004)

Result: Victory for Vitali Klitschko by Technical Knockout (TKO 8).

Division: Heavyweight (He).

Location: Las Vegas, U.S.A.

Review: Vitali Klitschko defended his Heavyweight Title with a dominant performance against the Englishman Danny Williams. Klitschko used his massive size, reach, and a sharp jab to keep Williams at bay and punish him methodically. Williams was knocked down four times before the fight was stopped in the eighth round, in a clear demonstration of Klitschko’s physical and technical superiority.

Jean Pascal vs. Adrian Diaconu (December 11, 2009)

Result: Victory for Jean Pascal by Unanimous Decision (UD 12).

Division: Light Heavyweight (Lh).

Location: Montreal, Canada.

Review: This was the rematch between the two Montreal rivals for the Light Heavyweight title, following Pascal’s initial victory earlier that year. Jean Pascal once again defeated Adrian Diaconu in a thrilling and physical 12-round bout. Pascal used his speed and intermittent power punches to accumulate points, frustrating the aggressive Diaconu. Pascal retained the title by unanimous decision in an electrifying atmosphere.

Nonito Donaire vs. Reymart Gaballo (December 11, 2021)

Result: Victory for Nonito Donaire by Knockout (KO 4).

Division: Bantamweight (Ba).

Location: Carson, U.S.A.

Review: The legendary Filipino Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire defended his Bantamweight World Title against his compatriot, the undefeated interim champion Reymart Gaballo. Despite his age, Donaire proved that his power had not diminished. After a competitive opening few rounds, Donaire landed a devastating left hook to the body in the fourth round that finished Gaballo, solidifying Donaire’s status as a timeless phenomenon.