Antonio Cervantes
Encyclopedia
Antonio Cervantes aka Kid Pambelé (born December 23, 1945 in San Basilio de Palenque
, Bolívar
) is a Colombia
n boxing
trainer and former two time world Jr. Welterweight champion. He successfully defended the title 16 times. Cervantes fought 21 world title fights, keeping the 140 pounds title for almost 8 years. Cervantes, who is Afro-Colombian
, was born in Palenque, also known as the first site of a slave rebellion in the Americas. Cervantes used to sell contraband cigarettes and shine shoes as a child to survive.
He met boxing trainer Carmelo Prada, who helped shape his style. Cervantes only had three amateur bouts, winning two and losing one. On January 31, 1964, Cervantes entered the boxing ring as a professional for the first time, beating Juan Martínez
by decision in six rounds. His first 32 bouts as a professional were in Colombia, and he won 27, lost 4 and drew (tied) one of them. Realizing his pupil needed publicity outside Colombia, Prada then moved with Cervantes to Venezuela
, where, on November 25, 1968, he knocked out
Orlando Ruiz
in the first round for his first fight abroad. He followed that win with a ten rounds decision over Nestor Rojas in the very short time of only three days later.
On December 23 of that year, he suffered his first knockout defeat when Cruz Marcano, a fringe contender of the time, beat him in four rounds in Caracas
.
He won five and lost two in 1969, splitting his fights between Colombia and Venezuela, and losing a ten round decision to Antonio Gomez
, former world champion.
He won two more in 1970, then he and Prada moved once again, this time to Los Angeles
. In California
, he began by beating Jose Rodriguez
by a knockout in the first round in San Jose
, and on December 17, he beat Rodolfo Gato González
, a very famous Mexican boxer of the time, by knockout in round eight. After this and a 1971 win over Argentine
Enrique Jana, Cervantes was ranked as a Jr. Welterweight by the WBA
. On December 11 of that year, he had his first world title try, against Nicolino Locche
, in Buenos Aires
. Cervantes lost a 15 round decision that time, however.
After winning three fights in 1972, Cervantes, who had by then returned to Colombia, had another world title try: Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer
, who had dethroned Locche of the world title, gave Cervantes a chance on October 28 at Panama City. Cervantes knocked Frazer out in round ten and became world champion for the first time.
Cervantes immediately became a national hero in Colombia, and many enterprises made him their spokesman in the coffee producing country, most notably Sanyo
, whose name the popular champion advertised on his clothing and fight trunks (boxer's shorts).
Cervantes made nine defenses, including a knockout in nine of Locche in a rematch, a knockout in five of Frazer, also in a rematch, a 13th. round knockout win over Josue Marquez in Puerto Rico
(in the first world title bout ever held at Roberto Clemente Coliseum
) and a 15 round decision against future world Lightweight champion Esteban De Jesús
. But on March 6, 1976 at San Juan
, he lost a 15 round decision and the world title to 17 year old Puerto Rican
Wilfred Benítez
, who with that became boxing's youngest champion ever.
Cervantes won five more fights in a row, including a win over Saoul Mamby
, before fighting for the world title again. After Benitez had left the Jr. welterweight belt vacant, Cervantes regained it on June 25, 1977, with a five round knockout over Carlos Maria Gimenez, once again in Venezuela. His second reign as world champion took him to such places as Thailand
, Botswana
and South Korea
, among others. He retained the title six times, beating the likes of Adrian Marrero and Miguel Montilla (twice). By this time, there was much talk about a superfight with world Lightweight champion Roberto Durán
, who was coming up in weight. Duran decided to challenge Sugar Ray Leonard
instead, however, and Cervantes vs. Duran never materialized.
On August 2, 1980, Cervantes dropped his next title challenger, Aaron Pryor
, to the canvas in the first round. Pryor recovered, however, and beat Cervantes by a knockout in round four. This turned out to be Cervantes' last world title fight. He fought two times more for the FECARBOX WBC title, winning both fights shortly before retiring.
Cervantes went on boxing until 1983, winning four fights and dropping his last one, a ten round decision loss to Danny Sanchez on December 9, 1983 at Miami
.
In retirement, his life was almost as public as it was during his boxing career: In 1985, for example, he and a passenger in one of the boats Cervantes owned, suffered a water accident, and the passenger almost drowned, but Cervantes was able to save her life.
Cervantes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
in 1998, and in 2000, he was declared by the Colombian Boxing Federation and National Association of Professional Boxing as Colombia's Fighter of the Century. For that award, the WBA issued him a special, commemorative belt.
Cervantes' nickname, Kid Pambelé, became almost as famous as Cervantes himself: as a matter of a fact, many fans called him only Pambelé or Pambe (the name of a song by Carlos Vives
about him).
San Basilio de Palenque
San Basilio de Palenque or Palenque de San Basilio is a Palenque village and corregimiento in the Municipality of Mahates, Bolivar in northern Colombia. In 2005 the village was declared Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO...
, Bolívar
Bolívar Department
Bolívar is a department of Colombia. It was named after one of the original nine states of the United States of Colombia. It is located to the north of the country, extending from the coast at Cartagena near the mouth of the Magdalena River, then south along the river to a border with Antioquia.Its...
) is a Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
trainer and former two time world Jr. Welterweight champion. He successfully defended the title 16 times. Cervantes fought 21 world title fights, keeping the 140 pounds title for almost 8 years. Cervantes, who is Afro-Colombian
Afro-Colombian
Afro Colombians refers to Colombians of African ancestry, and the great impact they have had on Colombian culture. Notable Afro-Colombians include Colombian scientists like Raul Cuero, writers like Manuel Zapata Olivella and politicians:...
, was born in Palenque, also known as the first site of a slave rebellion in the Americas. Cervantes used to sell contraband cigarettes and shine shoes as a child to survive.
He met boxing trainer Carmelo Prada, who helped shape his style. Cervantes only had three amateur bouts, winning two and losing one. On January 31, 1964, Cervantes entered the boxing ring as a professional for the first time, beating Juan Martínez
Juan Martínez
Juan Martínez Brito is a retired discus thrower from Cuba, who represented his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics. His personal best is 70.00 metres, thrown on May 21, 1983 in Havana, Cuba....
by decision in six rounds. His first 32 bouts as a professional were in Colombia, and he won 27, lost 4 and drew (tied) one of them. Realizing his pupil needed publicity outside Colombia, Prada then moved with Cervantes to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, where, on November 25, 1968, he knocked out
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
Orlando Ruiz
Orlando Ruíz
Orlando Ruíz is a Cuban fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil and team épée events at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-References:...
in the first round for his first fight abroad. He followed that win with a ten rounds decision over Nestor Rojas in the very short time of only three days later.
On December 23 of that year, he suffered his first knockout defeat when Cruz Marcano, a fringe contender of the time, beat him in four rounds in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
.
He won five and lost two in 1969, splitting his fights between Colombia and Venezuela, and losing a ten round decision to Antonio Gomez
Antonio Gomez
Antonio Gomez is a former professional boxer who fought in the featherweight division. Gomez won the WBA world featherweight title in 1971.-Professional career:...
, former world champion.
He won two more in 1970, then he and Prada moved once again, this time to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. In California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, he began by beating Jose Rodriguez
Jose Rodriguez
José Rodríguez or Jose Rodriguez may refer to:*José Alfredo Rodríguez, an undefeated Mexican Boxer and current WBA Light Flyweight Champion.*Jose Rodriguez , a Canal Zone-born peace activist*José Rodríguez , Argentine Olympic fencer...
by a knockout in the first round in San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, and on December 17, he beat Rodolfo Gato González
Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez
Rodolfo González was a Mexican boxer and former WBC Lightweight Champion.Known as "El Gato", Gonzalez started his career very young at the age of 14, and won his first 53 bouts. In 1972 he took on Chango Carmona for the WBC Lightweight Title and won via a Corner retirement in the 13th round. ...
, a very famous Mexican boxer of the time, by knockout in round eight. After this and a 1971 win over Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Enrique Jana, Cervantes was ranked as a Jr. Welterweight by the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
. On December 11 of that year, he had his first world title try, against Nicolino Locche
Nicolino Locche
Nicolino Locche was an Argentine boxer from Tunuyán, Mendoza. He was of Italian origin, with his ancestors coming from Sardinia...
, in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
. Cervantes lost a 15 round decision that time, however.
After winning three fights in 1972, Cervantes, who had by then returned to Colombia, had another world title try: Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer
Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer
Alfonso Gerald Frazer was a Panamanian boxer.-Professional career:Known as "Peppermint," Frazer began his professional career in 1965 and won the World Boxing Association light welterweight title by defeating Nicolino Locche by decision in 1972...
, who had dethroned Locche of the world title, gave Cervantes a chance on October 28 at Panama City. Cervantes knocked Frazer out in round ten and became world champion for the first time.
Cervantes immediately became a national hero in Colombia, and many enterprises made him their spokesman in the coffee producing country, most notably Sanyo
Sanyo
is a major electronics company and member of the Fortune 500 whose headquarters is located in Moriguchi, Osaka prefecture, Japan. Sanyo targets the middle of the market and has over 230 Subsidiaries and Affiliates....
, whose name the popular champion advertised on his clothing and fight trunks (boxer's shorts).
Cervantes made nine defenses, including a knockout in nine of Locche in a rematch, a knockout in five of Frazer, also in a rematch, a 13th. round knockout win over Josue Marquez in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
(in the first world title bout ever held at Roberto Clemente Coliseum
Roberto Clemente Coliseum
The Roberto Clemente Coliseum is a sporting events and concert arena in San Juan, Puerto Rico.It was, for many years, Puerto Rico's largest indoor event facility, and it continues being one of the largest....
) and a 15 round decision against future world Lightweight champion Esteban De Jesús
Esteban De Jesús
Esteban De Jesús was a Puerto Rican world lightweight champion boxer whose life was full of controversy, problems and scandals. De Jesus, a native of the town of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was a gymmate of Wilfred Benítez and an acquaintance of Benitez's mother, Clara Benítez. He was trained by...
. But on March 6, 1976 at San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, he lost a 15 round decision and the world title to 17 year old Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
Wilfred Benítez
Wilfred Benitez
Wilfred Benítez , is a Puerto Rican boxer. He is remembered best as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities who won world championships in three separate weight divisions, and was the youngest world champion in boxing history at the age of 17...
, who with that became boxing's youngest champion ever.
Cervantes won five more fights in a row, including a win over Saoul Mamby
Saoul Mamby
Saoul Paul Mamby was a professional boxer between 1969 and 2008.- Personal :Mamby, the child of a mother of Spanish descent and father from Jamaica, converted to Judaism at age 4.Mamby is also a Vietnam veteran....
, before fighting for the world title again. After Benitez had left the Jr. welterweight belt vacant, Cervantes regained it on June 25, 1977, with a five round knockout over Carlos Maria Gimenez, once again in Venezuela. His second reign as world champion took him to such places as Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, among others. He retained the title six times, beating the likes of Adrian Marrero and Miguel Montilla (twice). By this time, there was much talk about a superfight with world Lightweight champion Roberto Durán
Roberto Durán
Roberto Durán Samaniego is a retired professional boxer from Panama, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. A versatile brawler in the ring, he was nicknamed "Manos de Piedra" during his career....
, who was coming up in weight. Duran decided to challenge Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard is an American retired professional boxer and occasional actor. He was named Ray Charles Leonard, after his mother's favorite singer, Ray Charles...
instead, however, and Cervantes vs. Duran never materialized.
On August 2, 1980, Cervantes dropped his next title challenger, Aaron Pryor
Aaron Pryor
Aaron Pryor is a former boxer from Cincinnati, Ohio, and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is the former world Junior Welterweight champion, and regarded as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the weight class.-Amateur career:Pryor, nicknamed The Hawk, had a record of...
, to the canvas in the first round. Pryor recovered, however, and beat Cervantes by a knockout in round four. This turned out to be Cervantes' last world title fight. He fought two times more for the FECARBOX WBC title, winning both fights shortly before retiring.
Cervantes went on boxing until 1983, winning four fights and dropping his last one, a ten round decision loss to Danny Sanchez on December 9, 1983 at Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
In retirement, his life was almost as public as it was during his boxing career: In 1985, for example, he and a passenger in one of the boats Cervantes owned, suffered a water accident, and the passenger almost drowned, but Cervantes was able to save her life.
Cervantes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...
in 1998, and in 2000, he was declared by the Colombian Boxing Federation and National Association of Professional Boxing as Colombia's Fighter of the Century. For that award, the WBA issued him a special, commemorative belt.
Cervantes' nickname, Kid Pambelé, became almost as famous as Cervantes himself: as a matter of a fact, many fans called him only Pambelé or Pambe (the name of a song by Carlos Vives
Carlos Vives
Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award winning-Colombian singer, composer and actor.-Biography:...
about him).