Hilario Zapata facts for kids

Hilario Zapata, born on August 19, 1958, is a famous former professional boxer from Panama. He boxed from 1977 to 1993. Hilario was a world champion in two different weight classes. He held the World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title twice. He also held the World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight title.

Hilario Zapata's Boxing Journey

Hilario Zapata started his professional boxing career in 1977. His first fight was against Victor Lopez. Hilario won by a knockout in the second round. He had two more wins that year.

Rising to the Top in Boxing

In 1978, Hilario quickly became a top boxer. By his fifth fight, he faced Juan Guzmán, a former world Flyweight champion. Hilario won that fight by a decision. His next fight was in South Korea. He beat Yong-Hwang Kim on his 20th birthday.

Later that year, he fought Alfonso Lopez for a Latin American title. Hilario lost this fight, which was his first loss.

Becoming a World Champion

Hilario started 1979 with a win in Puerto Rico. He won by knockout against Ramon Perez. He had three more wins that year. One big win was against Freddie Castillo, a two-time world champion. By the end of 1979, Hilario was ranked number one. He was a top challenger for the Jr. Flyweight title.

In March 1980, Hilario traveled to Japan. He fought Shigeo Nakajima, who was the world Jr. Flyweight champion. Hilario won the fight and became a world champion!

Defending His Title

Hilario defended his title many times. He beat Chi-Bok Kim in South Korea. He also won against Hector Rey Melendez in Venezuela. In a rematch with Shigeo Nakajima in Tokyo, Hilario won by knockout. He also beat Reynaldo Becerra in Venezuela.

In 1981, Hilario fought Joey Olivo. This was a special fight because it was shown live on American TV. Hilario won by knockout in the 13th round. He then defended his title in San Francisco. He beat Rudy Crawford by decision. Back in Panama, he won against German Torres. He also beat former champion Netrnoi Sor Vorasingh by knockout.

Losing and Regaining the Title

On February 6, 1982, Hilario lost his world title. He was knocked out by Amado Panterita Ursua in the second round. But Hilario did not give up!

On July 20, he got his title back. He beat Tadashi Tomori in Japan by decision. Then, he defended his title against Jung-Koo Chang in South Korea. He won by decision. Hilario ended 1982 with another win against Tomori. He knocked Tomori out in eight rounds.

New Challenges and Comebacks

In March 1983, Hilario and Jung-Koo Chang fought again. This time, Chang won by knocking Hilario out. Later that year, Hilario lost another fight to Harold Petty.

Many people thought his boxing career might be over. But Hilario worked hard and started winning again. He moved up to the Flyweight division. By the end of 1984, he was ranked number one by the WBA.

In December 1984, he fought Santos Laciar for the world Flyweight title. Hilario lost this fight. But in 1986, he got another chance. He beat Alonzo Gonzalez to win the WBA world Flyweight championship!

He defended this title against several boxers. He beat Javier Lucas, Shuichi Hozumi, Dodie Penalosa, Alberto Castro, and Claudemir Calvalho. He lost the title to Fidel Bassa of Colombia by decision.

Final Fights and Hall of Fame

In 1993, Hilario tried to become a world champion one more time. He fought Sung-Kil Moon for the WBC Jr. Bantamweight title. Hilario was knocked out in the first round. If he had won, he would have been a world champion in three different weight classes.

Hilario Zapata's first boxing gloves were a gift from another famous boxer, Roberto Durán, when Hilario was 12 years old.

A newspaper in Panama, El Panama America, said that Hilario should be in the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. And he was! Hilario Zapata was voted into the Hall of Fame in December 2015. He was officially inducted in June 2016.

Hilario Zapata finished his career with 43 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. He won 14 of his fights by knockout.

Boxing Career Summary

See also

In Spanish: Hilario Zapata para niños

• List of southpaw stance boxers
• List of world light-flyweight boxing champions
• List of world flyweight boxing champions