WBC TALKS, ROUND 32: Carlos Zarate and Alfonso Zamora: “The Battle of Z”

One of the most poignant WBC TALKS, combined two boxing greats, touching on one of boxing’s most important rivalries, between great world champions Carlos Zárate and Alfonso Zamora.

Visibly moved, the President of the WBC, Mr. Mauricio Sulaimán welcomed these two boxing legends, who brought such glory to the sport and to Mexico.

Carlos and Alfonso recalled that they started boxing from a very early age, and both were close colleagues. Without really knowing how the rivalry of that famous fight began, the two former champions explained that since they met as amateurs, they became friends and that the rivalry only existed inside the ring.

Addressing what happened in April 1977, a day known in boxing as the “Battle of Z” these two idols confessed that the rivalry was more a matter of their representatives and even of the press, because between them there was actually a camaraderie. However, they knew that the public expected a war as both came to this fight undefeated and with a combined record of 75 wins with 74 knockouts.

That Fabled night, they were both stars, Zárate, WBC champion and Zamora WBA Champion.

The stage was The Forum, in Inglewood, California was filled to maximum capacity…and the rafters!

Alfonso remembers that fight as one of the most difficult of his career and that he does not detract from the victory of his friend; However, he recognized that he was not at his best.

Continuing with the memories and anecdotes, both champions shared one of the most difficult passages of their lives, where they needed more than the power of their fists to overcome and triumph. We candidly refer to their drug addiction.

With a broken voice and welling emotions, Carlos said that being world champion is a double-edged sword, because being at the top, everything comes easily and not having his feet firmly on The ground is the worst mistake of any boxer. He confessed that his addiction led him to an acquaintance with hell. However, in those terrible dark times, it was when he recognized the existence of God, and that he is present in many ways. In his case, through many signs, one of them, the helping hand of a man to whom he owes beIng here today, Don José Sulaimán.

Both he and Alfonso recognized that the road to recovery was not an easy one. There was much pain, tears, and harder blows than the ones they ever received in the ring. Yet at the end of the day, they can say that they won the most important battle: saving their lives.

To close, both fighters joined Mauricio´s Sulaiman challenge:

Carlos Zárate:

Power: Mike Tyson

Jaw: Carlos Zarate

Speed: Sugar Ray Leonard

Jab: Tommy Hearns

Boxing Skills: Julio César Chávez

Heart: Daniel Zaragoza

Alfonso Zamora:

Power: Mike Tyson

Jaw: Oscar Bonavena

Speed: Sugar Ray Leonard

Jab: Lupe Pintor

Boxing Skills: Muhammad Ali

Heart: Joe Frazier

Relive this incredible, deeply telling and so memorable talk with our beloved champions at the following link.

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