Jesus "Hit man" Becerra (15 April 1936 in Guadalajara

Guadalajara

Guadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...

, Jalisco

Jalisco

Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...

, Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

) is a retired Mexican

Mexican people

Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....

 boxer. He became world champion in the bantamweight

Bantamweight

Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...

 division.

Early life

Becerra was the youngest of five children; born to a rich family. His parents were Maria Covarrubias and Jesus Becerra. At age 12, in the 5th grade, Jose quit school to work in a carriage repair shop.

Becerra was discovered by veteran Mexican fight manger, Pancho Rosales, who developed the youngster's skills.

Professional career

Becerra received his first public notice in the Mexican sports world by scoring an upset over the vastly more experienced Manuel Armenteros. After some ups and downs, Becerra earned a top 10 ranking by knocking out former world champion Mario D'Agata

Mario D'Agata

Mario D'Agata was a former boxer who holds the distinction of being the first, and so far only, world boxing champion to be deaf. On April 4, 2009, D'Agata died at the age of 83....

. A short time later, Becerra won the World Bantamweight Championship with a knockout over Alphonse Halimi

Alphonse Halimi

Alphonse Halimi was a French boxer. He was nicknamed "la Petite Terreur."Time wrote of him: "Alphonse went to work with a street fighter's will. A grown-up guttersnipe from the back alleys of Algeria...

.

After two successful title defenses, Becerra lost a stunning upset, being knocked out by club-fighter Eloy Sanchez in a non-title fight. Becerra was so dejected by the defeat that he announced his retirement at age 24.

In 1962, Mexican club fighter, Rudy Coronado was seriously injured in a fight. On a special benefit show for Coronado and his family, Becerra returned to the ring and won a 6 round decision over Alberto Martinez. Becerra donated his fight-purse to the injured boxer's family. Becerra never fought again.

Exhibition Tour

As world champion, Becerra went on a successful exhibition tour which drew big crowds. The tour was as follows:

• 1959: Sept. 1-Sandy Garcia, Fresno, CA....Exch. 4 rounds
• 1959: Date ?-Joe Vargas,Stockton, CA......Exch. TKO 3 rounds
• 1959: Sept.8- Willie Sanchez,San Jose, CA.Exch. 2 rounds
• 1959: Sept.8-Cy Ruiz, San Jose,CA,........Exch. 2 rounds
• 1959: Sept.9-Eduardo Santos, El Paso, TX..Exch. 4 rounds
• 1959: Sept.?-Jessie Leija, San Antonio,TX.Exch. 4 rounds
• 1959: Sept.14-Henry Miramontes, Dallas,TX.Exch. 4 rounds