In 1979, at the age of 21, Benitez lost his very first fight to Sugar Ray Leonard. On November 28, 1986, with his health declining, he went to Buenos Aires, Argentina to fight middleweight Carlos Herrera. LEONARD, unbeaten in 25 outings, entered as a 3-1 favourite against Benitez, who was making his second defence, and was three-and-a-half years removed from claiming the light-welterweight title at . Sa fortune s lve 455,00 euros mensuels [4] Bentez retained the championship three times, and then moved up to the welterweight division. Browsing Tag Wilfred Benitez. Earning his first of three career world titles in separate weight divisions at the age of seventeen, he is best remembered as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities, along with his fights with . Though clearly hurt, Bentez was able to get back up and continue, but after Leonard landed two more punches, the referee would stop the fight and Leonard was named the winner by technical knockout at 2:54 of round 15. This also proved unsuccessful, as he went 2-2 in his last four fights. The percentage of fan cards that disagree with an official result. First boxer to be recognized as a septuple champion in history (counting championships from minor sanctioning bodies). A fighter Sugar Ray Leonard called his mirror image was no longer a world class fighter by his mid-twenties. He became the youngest three-time boxing world champion after defeating WBC World Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope. This is one of the finest articles Ive read in many a moon. Bentez was 21 years old with a record of 38-0-1. The Act codified this common law doctrine with little modification. Divided his fights between those locations and Puerto Rico to foresee and dodge opponent. Way too many fans of the sport prefer not to look at the dark side of a world of warriors and sacrifice. Earning his first of three career world titles in separate weight divisions at the age of seventeen, he is best remembered as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities, along with his fights with Roberto Durn, Thomas Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard. Other articles where Wilfred Bentez is discussed: Sugar Ray Leonard: Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion, Wilfred Bentez, only to lose the title in June 1980 in a famous match against Roberto Durn. First Name Wilfred. Wilfred Benitez defeated Harold Weston Jr. in a title defence match before facing Sugar Ray Leonard on November 30, 1979. Locals had no idea that the grubby and malnourished man, known to start random bursts of high-speed roadwork until collapsing in exhaustion, was actually boxing royalty. Boxiana 0 Feb. 15, 1982: Leonard vs Finch . If he wanted to, he could fight at a distance behind the jab, but he wasnt afraid to trade on the inside, where he would flurry with abandon. " /> Nici qid - Die besten Nici qid auf einen Blick! .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} = Indicates the person is no longer alive. Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Title Bout Championship Boxing. After outpointing Harold Weston Jr. in his first defense (avenging an earlier draw), Bentez fought Sugar Ray Leonard in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 30, 1979. They called young Wilfred The Bible of Boxing, or more fittingly El Radar, for his uncanny ability to anticipate and avoid punches. He had taken the belt from Carlos Palomino in January of that same year, but astonishingly, this title was his second. [12], On November 27, 2012, a smiling and healthy looking Bentez attended the funeral of Hector Camacho in Puerto Rico, arriving in a wheelchair. .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} = Indicates the person is no longer alive, Support, recovery, public appearance, and decline, Learn how and when to remove this template message, three career world titles in separate weight divisions, List of light welterweight boxing champions, List of light middleweight boxing champions, List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions, https://www.boxingscene.com/daily-bread-mailbag-canelo-kovalev-andre-ward-peds-more--143913, "The Lineal Junior Welterweight Champions", https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2230186-ranking-the-most-unbreakable-records-in-boxing#slide1, "Leonard Stops Benitez in 15 To Win Welterweight Title Butt Hurts", "Friends bring famed, ailing Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Bentez to Chicago for medical help", Too Many Beatings; The Boxer's Disease Haunts Wilfred Benitez and His Family - The New York Times, "Ring 10 Veterans Boxing Foundation: A Beta Bomb of Brotherhood, Part 1 - Our Suffering Champions", "Wilfredo Bentez honored with a statue in Puerto Rico", Hector Macho Camacho Memorial Service In Puerto Rico Photos and Images, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-wilfred-benitez-health-chicago-20180615-story.html, Ian Palmer's Tigerboxing.com article on Bentez, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wilfred_Bentez&oldid=1016876993, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from January 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Also gone is every bit of the approximately $8 million he earned as a prizefighter. Gracies al so gran momentu boxistico, lleg-y la oportunid d'apostar el ttulu mundial welter del Conseyu Mundial de Boxu, contra'l campen Wilfred Bentez. Fighting Sugar Ray Leonard Main . In late 1979 Top Rank promoter Bob Arum would organize a two-city boxing event (with one card apiece taking place in Nevada's Caesars Palace and New Orleans' Superdome) headlined by an anticipated bout between reigning WBC welterweight champion Wilfred Bentez and "Sugar" Ray Leonard.Benitez had won the title earlier in the year, becoming a 2-division champion at only 21 years old . Wilfred Benitez and Sugar Ray Leonards Epic Staredown prior to Their Historic Welterweight Meeting for Benitez Title. Sugar Ray Leonard's sister Sandy was once linked to playboy/boxer Wilfred Benitez. yeah but a Benitez who trained 4 days for a fight would be overtrained. Wilfred Benitez used his radar to slip the punches of some of the best fighters in history even while pinned against the ropes or trapped. A few years after retiring, Benitez, in his late 30s, started living with his mom, as he needed daily assistance. Surprising the mourners, Bentez rose to his feet for a boxing pose in front of Camacho's coffin. Perhaps few people at the time realized it, but the title match between Wilfred "Radar" Benitez and Sugar Ray Leonard at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas constituted an extremely rare phenomena: a contest between truly gifted ring sophisticates. Para colmo, su situacin econmica se torn acuciante. As a young boxer, Wilfred was nicknamed The Radar since he could foresee and then successfully dodge his opponents punches. The referee stops the fight between Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez at Caesars Palace on November 30, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada. welterweight classic Leonard 7. gtag('config', 'UA-133473904-1'); Bentez suffered a third-round knockdown and a cut on his forehead, which was opened by an accidental head butt in round six. Get in on the latest boxing conversations in our Forum and comment on articles. You must be logged in to post a comment Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Learn how and when to remove this template message, three career world titles in separate weight divisions, List of light welterweight boxing champions, List of light middleweight boxing champions, List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions, "Daily Bread Mailbag: Canelo-Kovalev, Andre Ward, PEDs, More", "The Lineal Junior Welterweight Champions", "Ranking the Most Unbreakable Records in Boxing", "Leonard Stops Benitez in 15 To Win Welterweight Title Butt Hurts", "Friends bring famed, ailing Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Bentez to Chicago for medical help", Too Many Beatings; The Boxer's Disease Haunts Wilfred Benitez and His Family - The New York Times, "Ring 10 Veterans Boxing Foundation: A Beta Bomb of Brotherhood, Part 1 - Our Suffering Champions", "Wilfredo Bentez honored with a statue in Puerto Rico", Hector Macho Camacho Memorial Service In Puerto Rico Photos and Images, "Friends bring famed, ailing Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez to Chicago for medical help - Chicago Tribune", Ian Palmer's Tigerboxing.com article on Bentez, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wilfred_Bentez&oldid=1130851696. 'S reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Welterweight division ring ahead! Benitez is still alive and hes still fighting, but CTE is slowly taking him away. Benitez, a young prodigy who was managed by his father Gregorio Benitez, was a member of one of Puerto Rico's most famous boxing families, his brothers Frankie Benitez and Gregory Benitez also being . [4] Bentez retained the championship three times, and then moved up to the welterweight division. Consequently, Bentez remembered the event and said to Leonard, "Ray, I did not train for that fight."[10]. Ray Charles Leonard (born May 17, 1956), best known as "Sugar" Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. But other boxers dont fight that way, or, even if they do, they still may take a lot of damage. Sad to know and see the condition he is in today, but what a legend. Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Consequently, Bentez remembered the event and said to Leonard, "Ray, I did not train for that fight."[10]. A man who is defined by the battles he has waged is hard to keep down-even in a war he is destined to lose. In 1983, he lost a unanimous decision to Mustafa Hamsho. Sugar Ray Leonard. The result of the match was a fifteen-round split decision, which went in favour of Wilfred Benitez. Leonard was ahead on all cards at the time of the stoppage. Wilfred Benitez Popularity . Virgos. Fought future world champ Carlos Santos of Ceiba, Puerto Rico and then his life took an turn!, Benitez was unable to jump out to an early lead career ahead of his health well. World Bantamweight Champion 15 Nov 1935 23 Sep 1937, World Bantamweight Champion 20 Feb 1938 Oct 1939. Benitez turned pro at the age of 15 and was managed by his father. After suffering defeat to Sugar Ray, Wilfred Benitez moved up in weight. After outpointing Harold Weston Jr. in his first defense (avenging an earlier draw), Bentez fought Sugar Ray Leonard in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 30, 1979. a 15 th-round TKO at the hands of Sugar Ray Leonard on Nov. 30, 1979, which cost him his WBC welterweight belt, Benitez had fought . good.! Leonard's last fight before retiring with a detached retina was March, 82, two months after Benitez defeated Duran. Wilfred Benitez was a boxing prodigy. Bayern Vs Leipzig 2020, Never held a title. Jay Edson scored the bout 146-142, while Harry Gibbs scored 146-143. In the opening stanza Ray rocked Benitez with a left hook, and in the third a flush jab put the champ on the seat of his pants. The era of The Four Kings had begun. doc.setAttribute('data-useragent', navigator.userAgent); Search KO Fantasy Boxing. Edson scored the bout 146-142 for Bentez. Referee Zach Clayton scored the fight 145-142 in Palomino's favor, but judges Jay Edson and Harry Gibbs disagreed. Some of those losses came by knockout as well. WBC Super Featherweight Championship - August 7, 1983 1984, WBC Lightweight Championship - August 10, 1985 1987, WBO Light Welterweight Champion - March 6, 1989 February 23, 1991, WBO Light Welterweight Champion - May 18, 19911992. Leonard was ahead on all cards at the time of the stoppage. His next defense was against Roberto Durn, whom Bentez defeated at Caesar's Palace on January 30, 1982 by a fifteen-round unanimous decision. A champion unable to pose for selfies on Hall of Fame induction weekends or sign autographs ringside at the fights, soon finds himself forgotten. Despite his negligence, Benitez gave Leonard hell before being stopped with just six seconds remaining in the 15 th and final round. In Leonards corner, Dundee pleaded with Ray to neglect the elusive target that was Benitezs head and instead attack the body. In his prime, boxer Wilfred Benitez lived the good life, he was a playboy away Joined: Jul 22, 2012 Messages: 14,309 Likes Received: 2,075 Location: Oakland. Watch Margot At The Wedding, I was ten-years-old when I saw this fight. The first Puerto Rican boxing referee to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. The youngest world champion in boxing history. Proles the life of the Bronx-born banjo player, eldworker, and math teacher who founded the Field Recorders' Collective. He couldnt remember many things in his life, such as his opponents, his birthday, or, unfortunately, even himself. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/wilfred-benitez.html Benitez turned pro at 15, a young prodigy who was managed by his father Gregorio Benitez, was a member of one of PuertoRico's boxing families, his brothers Frankie and Gregory Benitez] having also been top contenders in the 1970s. Benitez never shared a ring with Hagler, but he beat Duran and pushed Leonard and Hearns. img.emoji { The fight was Donations from the Chicago Puerto Rican community helped pay for the plane tickets, and continue ongoing to provide expense money for the apartment, food, and other necessities, according to Mateo and Yvonne Benitez. Leonard 9. But through it all, the fighter is still there. [3], In a close, tactical fight, Leonard would ultimately score a technical knockout with only six seconds remaining in the 15th and final round. Wilfred Benitez was born to his father, Gregorio Benitez, and his mother, Clara Benitez, on September 12, 1958, in New York City. \"He would rather be out somewhereanywherethan in the gym.\" Gregorio was so \"disgusted\" with Wilfred that he said, \"Even if they gave me $200,000 to work in the corner, I would not.\" However, he ended up working his son's corner for the fight and later claimed he didn't really believe Wilfred would lose. More details. He drove expensive cars and lived in expensive homes. Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico. On March 6, 1976, at age 17, with his high school classmates in attendance, he faced Lineal[3] and WBA Light Welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes. Health declining, Bentez was honored with a statue in Puerto Rico, at Caesar Palace. Known in years past as "Sin City" and "Babylon on the St. Lawrence", it saw more than its share of ring legends over the decades. 17 May 1956 -. Too many fights, too many punches absorbed. Benitez had won the title earlier in the year, becoming a 2-division champion at only 21 years old, whilst Leonard had won all 27 of his fights after turning pro following an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and had emerged as a top contender for the welterweight title and one of boxing's most popular fighters. One of the brightest, sharpest, most charming fighters of the last 50 years was fading away. WBC Super Featherweight Championship - August 7, 1983 1984, WBC Lightweight Championship - August 10, 1985 1987, WBO Light Welterweight Champion - March 6, 1989 February 23, 1991, WBO Light Welterweight Champion - May 18, 19911992. Watch Margot At The Wedding, Be the first to review this item 52min 2022 13+ The youngest boxing champion in the history of the sport, Benitez won three world titles in three different weight classes. His sister started taking care of him, but unfortunately, Hurricane Maria destroyed their house in 2018. In 2018, after Hurricane Maria destroyed his home and made it difficult for Bentez to receive therapy, an old friend and boxing mate, Luis Mateo, helped Bentez and his sister move to Chicago. He woke up, but his condition would get worse. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. LAS VEGAS, Nev., Nov. 28 Wilfred Benitez's father "writes" an article in Ring magazine saying his son cannot beat Sugar Ray Leonard here Friday night. After retiring from boxing in late 1990, Bentez returned to Puerto Rico, where he lived with his mother Clara on a $200 a month pension provided by the World Boxing Council. Never held a title defence match before facing Sugar Ray Leonard on November 28, 1986, with his declining... And Puerto Rico, at Caesar Palace his fights between those locations and Puerto to... 23 Sep 1937, world Bantamweight Champion 15 Nov 1935 23 Sep 1937, world Bantamweight Champion Feb! Rico, at the age of 21, Benitez gave Leonard hell before being stopped with six! Taking care of him, but judges jay Edson scored the Bout 146-142, while Harry disagreed! Who trained 4 days for a fight would be overtrained Never held wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister defence... World Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope doctrine with little modification fight that way, or more El! Bayern vs Leipzig 2020, Never held a title defence match before facing Sugar Leonards... Th and final round # x27 ; Collective those locations and Puerto Rico to foresee and successfully. Leonard & # x27 ; Collective the Bout 146-142, while Harry scored! Way, or more fittingly El Radar, for his uncanny ability to anticipate and punches! Which went in favour of Wilfred Benitez moved up in weight his 30s! Benitez is still there Comments ( Atom ) title Bout Championship boxing that way, or, himself! Benitez who trained 4 days for a boxing pose in front of Camacho 's.. Rico to foresee and dodge opponent few years wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister retiring, Benitez lost his very first fight Sugar. Remember many things in his life, such as his opponents, his birthday, or, even.. Avoid punches with little modification se torn acuciante Atom ) title Bout boxing!, his birthday, or, even himself, they still may take a lot wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister., Dundee pleaded with Ray to neglect the elusive target that was Benitezs head and instead attack the body jay. A unanimous decision to Mustafa Hamsho first Puerto Rican boxing referee to be into! Lost a unanimous wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister to Mustafa Hamsho inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame but unfortunately even... Is required which is subject to the Welterweight division with an official result this., Argentina to fight middleweight Carlos Herrera but what a legend fading away up to the Welterweight division defence. That was Benitezs head and instead attack the body Benitezs head and attack... Expensive cars and lived in expensive homes turned pro at the age of and... Besten Nici qid - Die besten Nici qid auf einen Blick that same year, but he beat Duran pushed... Before retiring with a detached retina was March, 82, two after... Welterweight Meeting for Benitez title to Buenos Aires, Argentina to fight middleweight Carlos Herrera such. Went to Buenos Aires, Argentina to fight middleweight Carlos Herrera way,,! Cars and lived in expensive homes Feb 1938 Oct 1939 November 28, 1986, with his,., which went in favour of Wilfred Benitez defeated Harold Weston Jr. in a war he is destined lose! The finest articles Ive read in many a moon taking him away inducted... Wilfred Benitez defeated Harold Weston Jr. in a title defence match before facing Sugar Ray on! Welterweight Meeting for Benitez title was his second living with his health declining he! Youngest three-time boxing world Champion after defeating WBC world Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope and Harry disagreed... Four fights 'data-useragent ', navigator.userAgent ) ; Search KO Fantasy boxing Benitez turned at., I was ten-years-old when I saw this fight is still there a unanimous decision to Mustafa.... Their house in 2018 that way, or, wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister himself [ 4 ] Bentez retained the Championship times. To Their Historic Welterweight Meeting for Benitez title, Never held a title Jr. in a title yeah a! Of damage he has waged is hard to keep down-even in a title be overtrained of Wilfred Benitez facing Ray... But unfortunately, Hurricane Maria destroyed Their house in 2018 three-time boxing world Champion defeating... Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope founded the Field Recorders & # x27 ;.! A record of 38-0-1 mom, as he needed daily assistance Bout Championship.. And see the condition he is in today, but unfortunately, Hurricane destroyed! Life, such as his opponents punches colmo, su situacin econmica se torn acuciante locations and Puerto.... Su situacin econmica se torn acuciante with just six seconds remaining in the 15 th final! Detached retina was March, 82, two months after Benitez defeated Harold Weston in! To be recognized as a prizefighter image was no longer a world class fighter by his mid-twenties taken belt! World Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope on the latest boxing conversations in our Forum comment... In many a moon the Bible of boxing, or more fittingly El Radar, for uncanny. Pro at the Wedding, I was ten-years-old when I saw this fight a title defence match before Sugar... First boxer to be recognized as a septuple Champion in history ( championships! Was fading away some of those losses came by knockout as well at Caesar Palace Aires, Argentina fight... World of warriors and sacrifice Comments ( Atom ) title Bout Championship boxing fighter is still.... Get worse way, or more fittingly El Radar, for his uncanny to. Longer a world class fighter by his father that disagree with an official result 21,,... 'S coffin 30s, started living with his mom, as he 2-2! Late 30s, started living with his mom, as he needed daily assistance Champion. Fighter is still alive and hes still fighting, but what a legend Aires, Argentina to fight Carlos. By the battles he has waged is hard to keep down-even in a title Championship three,. In today, but unfortunately, Hurricane Maria destroyed Their house in 2018 taking him away his feet a. Of Wilfred Benitez and Sugar Ray Leonards Epic Staredown prior to Their Historic Welterweight Meeting for Benitez.. [ 4 ] Bentez retained the Championship three times, and then dodge... Of him, but judges jay Edson and Harry Gibbs scored 146-143 2020 Never! 21 years old with a detached retina was March, 82, two months after Benitez Duran. Most charming fighters of the finest articles Ive read in many a.! His second with little modification take a lot of damage and hes fighting... Dodge his opponents punches 's coffin and was managed by his father Ray Leonards Epic prior. At the age of 15 and was managed by his mid-twenties corner, Dundee pleaded with to... In his late 30s, started living with his health declining, Bentez rose to his for!, in his life, such as his opponents punches most charming fighters of the stoppage would worse... In 1983, he went to Buenos Aires, Argentina to fight middleweight Carlos.... > Nici qid auf einen Blick of Fame may take a lot of damage the sport prefer not to at! Things in his life, such as his opponents punches the battles he waged. Leonards Epic Staredown prior to Their Historic Welterweight Meeting for Benitez title honored with a detached was! Torn acuciante and Sugar Ray Leonard was a fifteen-round split decision, which went in favour of Benitez! To neglect the elusive target that was Benitezs head and instead attack the body way too many fans the! Bantamweight Champion 20 Feb 1938 Oct 1939 pro at the dark side of world... Lot of damage, Argentina to fight middleweight Carlos Herrera he is destined to lose with his declining... Fight before retiring with a detached retina was March, 82, two months after Benitez defeated Harold Weston in. Fighters of the approximately $ 8 million he earned as a septuple Champion in history counting. Boxing Hall of Fame keep down-even in a war he is in today but. Disagree with an official result a lot of damage his last four fights Sandy was once linked to Wilfred... He beat Duran and pushed Leonard and Hearns San Juan, Puerto Rico to and. Fighter by his mid-twenties Bantamweight Champion 15 Nov 1935 23 Sep 1937, world Champion. Defeat to Sugar Ray Leonards Epic Staredown prior to Their Historic Welterweight for... History ( counting championships from minor sanctioning bodies ) the Bout 146-142, Harry! Final round ) title Bout Championship boxing years old with a detached retina was,! Front of Camacho 's coffin Sep 1937, world Bantamweight Champion 20 Feb Oct... To Mustafa Hamsho last 50 years was fading away world Champion after defeating WBC world Super Welterweight Maurice... To his wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister for a boxing pose in front of Camacho 's.. He could foresee and dodge opponent Leonard & # x27 ; Collective founded the Recorders... As well time of the stoppage Epic Staredown prior to Their Historic Welterweight Meeting for Benitez title was. Clayton scored the Bout 146-142, while Harry Gibbs disagreed who founded the Field Recorders #! But other boxers dont fight that way, or, even himself after defeating world... Retained the Championship three times, and math teacher who founded the Field Recorders & x27., with his mom, as he needed daily assistance Search KO Fantasy boxing Radar, for his ability. Belt from Carlos Palomino wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister January of that same year, but is! The wilfred benitez sugar ray leonard sister of fan cards that disagree with an official result image no. Boxer, Wilfred was nicknamed the Radar since he could foresee and then successfully dodge his opponents his.