Jorge Linares facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jorge Linares |
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![]() Linares in 2013
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Real name | Jorge Luis Linares Palencia |
Nickname(s) | El Niño de Oro ("The Golden Boy") |
Rated at |
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Height | 5 ft 7 in |
Reach | 69 in |
Born | Barinas, Venezuela |
22 August 1985
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 56 |
Wins | 47 |
Wins by KO | 29 |
Losses | 9 |
Jorge Luis Linares Palencia, born on August 22, 1985, is a retired professional boxer from Venezuela. He was a world champion in three different weight classes. He held the WBC featherweight title from 2007 to 2008. He also won the WBA super featherweight title from 2008 to 2009. Later, he held the WBA, WBC, and Ring magazine lightweight titles between 2014 and 2018.
Contents
Jorge Linares' Early Boxing Journey
Amateur Boxing Days
Jorge Linares had a great start in amateur boxing. He won 89 fights and only lost 5. He also won several national junior championships in his home country, Venezuela. When he was 17, Linares moved to Japan. This move was suggested by Gilberto Mendoza, who was the president of the WBA. Linares wanted to become a professional boxer as soon as possible. In Venezuela, he would have had to wait until he turned 18.
Starting as a Professional Boxer
Linares began his professional boxing career in December 2002. He was managed by the Teiken Boxing Gym in Japan. His trainer there was Sendai Tanaka. Another boxer, Antonio Esparragoza, who was also trained by Tanaka's teacher, gave Linares his famous nickname: El Niño de Oro, which means "The Golden Boy."
Linares had his first professional fight at age 17. It was a featherweight fight in Osaka, Japan, on December 15, 2002. He won by knocking out Kyong-Soo Chung in the first round. His next fight was in February 2003 in Tokyo. He won that fight by a unanimous decision. For his next five fights, Linares stayed undefeated, winning three of them by stopping his opponents early.
On January 31, 2004, when he was 19, Linares fought for his first title. He faced Hugo Rafael Soto, an experienced boxer, in Venezuela. Linares won the WBA Fedelatin super bantamweight title by a unanimous decision. Soto retired from boxing after this fight. In August 2004, Linares won another title, the WBA Fedelatin featherweight title, in Tokyo.
After winning four more fights by stopping his opponents, Linares challenged Jean Javier Sotelo. This was for the vacant WBA Fedecentro featherweight title on May 6, 2005. Linares was knocked down for the first time in his career in the second round. But he got back up and then knocked Sotelo down twice, winning the fight. For the next year, Linares fought in Venezuela, Japan, and South Korea.
Becoming a Featherweight Champion
Winning the WBC Interim Title
On July 21, 2007, Linares fought in the United States for the first time. He faced Óscar Larios for the vacant WBC interim featherweight title. Linares showed his skill with jabs and powerful punches. In the tenth round, Linares landed many punches, sending Larios to the floor. The referee stopped the fight, giving Linares the win by technical knockout.
First Title Defense
Linares defended his world title for the first time on December 15, 2007. He fought Gamaliel Díaz in Cancun, Mexico. Linares knocked Diaz down in the eighth round with a strong right hand, winning the fight by knockout. Diaz had also been knocked down earlier in the fourth round.
On August 13, 2008, Linares decided to give up his title. He wanted to move up to the super featherweight division. He also needed more time to recover from some injuries.
Moving Up to Super Featherweight
Winning the WBA Super Featherweight Title
About eleven months after his last fight, Linares challenged Whyber Garcia for the vacant WBA super featherweight title. The fight happened on November 28, 2008, in Panama City. Linares won the fight and the WBA title by technical knockout in the fifth round.
Defending the Title
On June 27, 2009, Linares defended his title against Josafat Perez in Mexico. Linares kept his title after landing a strong right punch that knocked Perez down. Perez got up, but he was unsteady. The referee then stopped the fight, giving Linares the win.
In September 2009, Linares signed a contract with Golden Boy Promotions. He also continued to work with Teiken Promotions.
Losing the Title to Salgado
On October 10, 2009, Linares went back to Japan to defend his title again. He fought an unbeaten Mexican boxer named Juan Carlos Salgado. Linares lost his WBA super featherweight title and his undefeated record in the first round. Salgado started aggressively and knocked Linares down with a powerful left hook. Linares got up, but Salgado quickly attacked again, knocking him down a second time. The referee stopped the fight. This defeat was named the "Upset of the Year" by Ring Magazine in 2009.
Linares took five months off after this loss. He then returned to Venezuela and won a fight against Francisco Lorenzo by a majority decision.
Becoming a Lightweight Champion
Fighting Rocky Juarez
On July 31, 2010, Linares fought in the United States again. He easily defeated Mexican-American boxer Rocky Juarez by a unanimous decision. Linares even knocked Juarez down in the fifth round. With this win, Linares claimed the interim WBA Fedelatin lightweight title.
Linares continued to win, including a technical knockout victory over Adrian Verdugo in May 2011. After that fight, Linares trained with famous coach Freddie Roach in Hollywood. He also trained with the U.S. Olympic boxing team and helped Manny Pacquiao prepare for his fights.
Challenging for the WBC Lightweight Title
Linares fought for the vacant WBC lightweight title against Antonio DeMarco on October 15, 2011. Linares landed many more punches than DeMarco. However, he suffered a bad cut on his nose. The referee stopped the fight in the eleventh round because of the cut, and Linares lost by TKO. Both Golden Boy Promotions and Teiken Promotions asked the WBC for a rematch.
A rematch with DeMarco was planned for July 7. However, Linares lost to Sergio Thompson in a fight that would have led to a WBC Lightweight title shot. Thompson stopped Linares in the second round on March 31, 2012.
Linares then faced Jorge Francisco Contreras on November 10, 2013, and knocked him out in the first round.
Winning the WBC Lightweight Title
After four more wins, Linares was set to fight Nihito Arakawa in a WBC lightweight title eliminator. This fight took place on March 8, 2014. Linares used his quick movements and boxing skills to win by a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.
On August 16, Linares had another fight where he won by knockout in the second round.
On November 10, 2014, the WBC ordered Linares to fight Javier Prieto for the vacant WBC lightweight title. The fight was scheduled for December 30, 2014, in Tokyo. Linares became the youngest Venezuelan to win a world title in three different weight divisions at age 29. He knocked Prieto out in the fourth round to win the WBC title on his second try.
Defending Against Kevin Mitchell
British boxer Kevin Mitchell challenged Linares for his WBC title on May 30, 2015, in London. This was Linares' first time fighting in the UK. Linares was knocked down in the fifth round. However, he came back to win in the tenth round by technical knockout. Mitchell had a bad cut above his left eye, and the referee stopped the fight.
Defending in Venezuela
Linares returned to his home country, Venezuela, for a fight on October 10, 2015. It was his first world title fight in Venezuela. He defended his WBC title against Ivan Cano. Linares knocked Cano out in the fourth round in a one-sided fight.
Fights Against Anthony Crolla
On September 24, 2016, Linares challenged Anthony Crolla for the WBA lightweight title in Manchester, England. Linares won the WBA lightweight title and also claimed the vacant The Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond titles by unanimous decision. After the fight, Linares offered Crolla a rematch.
A rematch was announced for March 25, 2017, again in Manchester. Linares put on an even stronger performance this time. He knocked Crolla down in the seventh round and won by a wider unanimous decision (118–109 on all three scorecards). With this win, Linares kept his WBA, The Ring, and WBC Diamond lightweight titles.
Facing Luke Campbell
On September 23, 2017, Linares defended his WBA world title against Luke Campbell in California. Linares won his 12th straight fight by a split decision after 12 rounds. Linares knocked Campbell down in the second round. Campbell fought back well in the middle rounds, but Linares regained control in the later rounds.
Defending Against Mercito Gesta
On January 27, 2018, Linares headlined a boxing event in California. He defended his WBA and The Ring Magazine titles against Filipino boxer Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta. Linares showed his class, winning by a 12-round unanimous decision. He landed many combinations and controlled the fight.
Losing to Vasiliy Lomachenko
On May 12, 2018, Linares faced two-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in New York City. Linares knocked Lomachenko down in the sixth round. However, Lomachenko recovered and won by TKO in the tenth round with a perfect body shot. This loss ended Linares' 13-fight winning streak. Lomachenko became the fastest boxer to win titles in three different weight classes.
Moving to Light Welterweight
First Fight at New Weight
On September 29, 2018, Linares moved up to the light welterweight division. He fought Abner Cotto in California. Linares won the fight by knockout in the third round. He knocked Cotto down in the second round and twice more in the third. This showed that Linares could carry his power to a higher weight class.
Loss to Pablo César Cano
In January 2019, Linares fought Pablo César Cano in New York City. Linares lost this fight by technical knockout in the first round.
Returning to Lightweight
Back to Winning Ways
On September 7, 2019, Linares returned to the lightweight division. He faced Al Toyogon and won convincingly by a unanimous decision. In his next fight on February 14, 2020, Linares faced Carlos Morales. He knocked Morales down twice and won by knockout in the fourth round.
Challenging Devin Haney
On May 29, 2021, Linares challenged Devin Haney for his WBC lightweight title in Nevada. Haney controlled most of the fight. However, Linares hurt him with a strong combination at the end of the tenth round. Haney managed to survive the last two rounds. Haney was awarded a unanimous decision, giving Linares his first loss by decision in his professional career.
Final Fights and Retirement
Linares then challenged Zaur Abdullaev for the WBC Silver lightweight title on February 19, 2022, in Russia. Linares started strong but began to tire. He was knocked down twice and lost the fight by technical knockout in the twelfth round.
Jorge Linares officially announced his retirement from professional boxing on Sunday, October 22, 2023. He had a long and successful career, becoming a world champion in three different weight classes.
Jorge Linares' Boxing Record
56 fights | 47 wins | 9 losses |
By knockout | 29 | 6 |
By decision | 18 | 3 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
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56 | Loss | 47–9 | Jack Catterall | UD | 12 | 21 Oct 2023 | M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England | |
55 | Loss | 47–8 | Zhora Hamazaryan | UD | 10 | 11 Dec 2022 | DIVS, Ekaterinburg, Russia | |
54 | Loss | 47–7 | Zaur Abdullaev | TKO | 12 (12), 2:55 | 19 Feb 2022 | RCC Boxing Academy, Ekaterinburg, Russia | For WBC Silver lightweight title |
53 | Loss | 47–6 | Devin Haney | UD | 12 | 29 May 2021 | Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBC lightweight title |
52 | Win | 47–5 | Carlos Morales | KO | 4 (12), 2:09 | 14 Feb 2020 | Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S. | |
51 | Win | 46–5 | Al Toyogon | UD | 10 | 7 Sep 2019 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
50 | Loss | 45–5 | Pablo César Cano | TKO | 1 (12), 2:48 | 18 Jan 2019 | Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. | For WBC Silver International super lightweight title |
49 | Win | 45–4 | Abner Cotto | KO | 3 (12), 1:31 | 29 Sep 2018 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
48 | Loss | 44–4 | Vasiliy Lomachenko | TKO | 10 (12), 2:08 | 12 May 2018 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost WBA and The Ring lightweight titles |
47 | Win | 44–3 | Mercito Gesta | UD | 12 | 27 Jan 2018 | The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles |
46 | Win | 43–3 | Luke Campbell | SD | 12 | 23 Sep 2017 | The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles |
45 | Win | 42–3 | Anthony Crolla | UD | 12 | 25 Mar 2017 | Manchester Arena, Manchester, England | Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles |
44 | Win | 41–3 | Anthony Crolla | UD | 12 | 24 Sep 2016 | Manchester Arena, Manchester, England | Won WBA and vacant The Ring lightweight titles |
43 | Win | 40–3 | Ivan Cano | KO | 4 (12), 0:58 | 10 Oct 2015 | Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela | Retained WBC lightweight title |
42 | Win | 39–3 | Kevin Mitchell | TKO | 10 (12), 2:57 | 30 May 2015 | The O2 Arena, London, England | Retained WBC lightweight title |
41 | Win | 38–3 | Javier Prieto | KO | 4 (12), 1:50 | 30 Dec 2014 | Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBC lightweight title |
40 | Win | 37–3 | Ira Terry | KO | 2 (8), 1:21 | 16 Aug 2014 | StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. | |
39 | Win | 36–3 | Nihito Arakawa | UD | 10 | 8 Mar 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
38 | Win | 35–3 | Francisco Contreras | TKO | 1 (10), 3:08 | 10 Nov 2013 | Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | |
37 | Win | 34–3 | Berman Sanchez | TKO | 3 (10), 1:09 | 25 Aug 2013 | Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan | |
36 | Win | 33–3 | David Rodela | TKO | 8 (10), 2:51 | 16 Mar 2013 | Grand Oasis, Cancún, Mexico | |
35 | Win | 32–3 | Héctor Velázquez | UD | 10 | 6 Oct 2012 | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
34 | Loss | 31–3 | Sergio Thompson | TKO | 2 (12), 2:27 | 31 Mar 2012 | Grand Oasis, Cancún, Mexico | |
33 | Loss | 31–2 | Antonio DeMarco | TKO | 11 (12), 2:32 | 15 Oct 2011 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | For vacant WBC lightweight title |
32 | Win | 31–1 | Adrian Verdugo | TKO | 7 (10), 1:49 | 28 May 2011 | Mazatlan International Center, Mazatlán, Mexico | |
31 | Win | 30–1 | Jesús Chávez | RTD | 4 (12), 3:00 | 24 Oct 2010 | Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | |
30 | Win | 29–1 | Rocky Juarez | UD | 10 | 31 Jul 2010 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBA Fedelatin interim lightweight title |
29 | Win | 28–1 | Francisco Lorenzo | MD | 10 | 27 Mar 2010 | Polideportivo José María Vargas, La Guaira, Venezuela | |
28 | Loss | 27–1 | Juan Carlos Salgado | TKO | 1 (12), 1:13 | 10 Oct 2009 | Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Lost WBA super featherweight title |
27 | Win | 27–0 | Josafat Perez | TKO | 8 (12), 1:40 | 27 Jun 2009 | Plaza de Toros, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico | Retained WBA super featherweight title |
26 | Win | 26–0 | Whyber Garcia | TKO | 5 (12), 1:08 | 28 Nov 2008 | Atlapa Convention Centre, Panama City, Panama | Won vacant WBA super featherweight title |
25 | Win | 25–0 | Gamaliel Díaz | KO | 8 (12), 2:02 | 15 Dec 2007 | Plaza de Toros, Cancún, Mexico | Retained WBC featherweight title |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Óscar Larios | TKO | 10 (12), 2:37 | 21 Jul 2007 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant WBC interim featherweight title |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Ramiro Lara | TKO | 3 (10), 1:37 | 3 Feb 2007 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Humberto Martinez | TKO | 6 (10), 2:34 | 7 Oct 2006 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Pedro Navarrete | UD | 10 | 3 Jun 2006 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Saohin Srithai Condo | UD | 10 | 1 Apr 2006 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Jeffrey Onate | KO | 1 (10), 1:59 | 7 Jan 2006 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Denchai Sor Tiebkoon | TKO | 1 (10), 2:30 | 3 Nov 2005 | Seoul, South Korea | |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Ayon Naranjo | UD | 6 | 25 Sep 2005 | Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Jesus Perez | RTD | 4 (10), 3:00 | 13 Aug 2005 | Circulo Militar, Maracay, Venezuela | |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Jean Javier Sotelo | TKO | 2 (10), 1:56 | 26 May 2005 | Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina | Won vacant WBA Fedecentro featherweight title |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Luis Perez Vicente | KO | 4 (6), 1:49 | 16 Apr 2005 | Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Melvin Ayudtud | KO | 1 (10), 2:07 | 5 Feb 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Rafael Castillo | TKO | 4 (8), 2:16 | 3 Dec 2004 | Figali Convention Center, Panama City, Panama | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Sung-Hoon Park | KO | 1 (10), 2:42 | 2 Oct 2004 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Renan Acosta | UD | 10 | 7 Aug 2004 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBA Fedelatin featherweight title |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Michael Domingo | UD | 10 | 1 May 2004 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Hugo Rafael Soto | UD | 10 | 31 Jan 2004 | Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela | Won vacant WBA Fedelatin super bantamweight title |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Pederito Laurente | UD | 10 | 18 Oct 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Jung-Keun Woo | KO | 2 (8), 2:12 | 20 Sep 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Thunder Ito | TKO | 3 (10), 2:44 | 12 Jul 2003 | Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Ariel Austria | UD | 8 | 19 Apr 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Singdam Monsaichon | KO | 3 (8), 1:02 | 15 Mar 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Chawal Sor Vorapin | UD | 6 | 15 Feb 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Kyong-Soo Chung | KO | 1 (6), 0:45 | 15 Dec 2002 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan |
Boxing Titles Held by Jorge Linares
Major World Titles
- WBC Featherweight Champion (126 lbs)
- WBA Super Featherweight Champion (130 lbs)
- WBA Lightweight Champion (135 lbs)
- WBC Lightweight Champion (135 lbs)
The Ring Magazine Titles
- The Ring Lightweight Champion (135 lbs)
Interim World Titles
- WBC Interim Featherweight Champion (126 lbs)
Regional and International Titles
- WBA Fedelatin Super Bantamweight Champion (122 lbs)
- WBA Fedelatin Featherweight Champion (126 lbs)
- WBA Fedecentro Featherweight Champion (126 lbs)
Interim Regional Titles
- WBA Fedelatin Interim Lightweight Champion (135 lbs)
Special Honorary Titles
- WBC Diamond Lightweight Champion
More About Boxing
- List of boxing triple champions
- Devin Haney
- Vasiliy Lomachenko
See also
In Spanish: Jorge Linares para niños