Eusebio Pedroza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eusebio Pedroza |
|
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Eusebio Pedroza Silva |
| Nickname(s) | El Alacrán |
| Rated at |
|
| Height | 5 ft 8 in |
| Reach | 68+1/2 in |
| Nationality |  Panamanian |
| Born | March 2, 1956 Panama City, Panama |
| Died | March 1, 2019 (aged 62) Panama City, Panama |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 49 |
| Wins | 41 |
| Wins by KO | 25 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
Eusebio Pedroza (born March 2, 1956 – died March 1, 2019) was a famous boxer from Panama. He was known as "El Alacrán," which means "The Scorpion." He held the WBA and lineal featherweight championship titles. He kept these titles from 1978 to 1985. During this time, he defended his championship against 18 different challengers. This was more than any other boxer in featherweight history! His cousin, Rafael Pedroza, was also a world champion boxer. Eusebio Pedroza passed away just one day before his 63rd birthday.
Contents
Eusebio Pedroza's Boxing Journey
Eusebio Pedroza started his professional boxing career on December 1, 1973. His first fight was a win by knockout against Julio Garcia. For his first 15 fights, he mostly fought in Panama. He won 14 of these fights and lost only one. His first loss was to Alfonso Pérez.
In 1976, Pedroza tried to win his first world title. He went to Mexico to challenge Alfonso Zamora, the WBA world bantamweight champion. Pedroza lost this fight by knockout in the second round. After this, he had another loss in Venezuela. But then, he didn't lose a fight for nine years!
Becoming a World Champion
Pedroza won three fights in 1977. Two of these wins were by knockout. Then, in April 1978, he got another chance at a world title. The WBA featherweight champion, Cecilio Lastra from Spain, came to Panama to fight Pedroza. On April 18, Pedroza knocked out Lastra in the 13th round. This made Eusebio Pedroza the new WBA featherweight champion!
Defending His Title Around the World
For the next seven years, Pedroza traveled all over the world. He defended his championship title many times. He fought 18 different boxers and kept his title.
Some of his famous fights include:
- Winning against Enrique Solis in Puerto Rico.
- Knocking out former world champion Royal Kobayashi in Japan.
- Winning against Sa Wang Kim in South Korea.
- Fighting Rubén Olivares, a three-time world champion, for 12 rounds.
- Winning against Johnny Aba in Papua New Guinea.
- Fighting Rocky Lockridge twice in the U.S. and Italy, winning both times.
- Winning against Carlos Piñango in Venezuela.
- Winning against Juan Laporte and Jose Caba by decision.
- Having a draw (tie) with Bernard Taylor in North Carolina.
Pedroza also defended his title many times in his home country of Panama. He became very famous in Latin America. His face was often on the covers of popular boxing magazines.
Pedroza finally lost his title in England in 1985. He was defeated by Barry McGuigan from Ireland in a 15-round fight.
A Champion's Legacy
During Pedroza's time as champion, people hoped he would fight Salvador Sánchez, another great featherweight champion. But these hopes ended when Sanchez sadly died in a car accident in 1982. Because Pedroza later beat Juan Laporte (who became champion after Sanchez), Pedroza was recognized as the true lineal featherweight champion.
After losing his title, Pedroza tried to make a comeback between 1986 and 1992. He won three fights and lost two during these attempts.
Eusebio Pedroza retired from boxing with an amazing record. He had 41 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw. He won 25 of his fights by knockout. He is now a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the greatest boxers of all time!
Pedroza was one of the boxers who inspired the famous young boxer Mike Tyson.
See also
In Spanish: Eusebio Pedroza para niños
