de Leon, Carlos vs. Avila, Bonifacio Santos, Carlos vs. Ali, Mustapha Torres, Andres vs. Stokes, Tony Betancourt, Carlos vs. Collante, Jose Viruet, Reinaldo (debut) vs. Rodriguez, Frank (debut) Referee: Waldemar Schmidt Judges: Cesar Ramos, Ismael Quinones Falu Press ticket
This was a rematch between Jimmy Young and Ossie “Jaws” Ocasio. Their first match - which Ocasio also won - took place in Las Vegas in June, 1978.
According to some accounts, Ocasio came into the rematch very confident; being at home in San Juan. Young fought well during the first two rounds. But in the third round, Ocasio was able to strike him with a very hard right, badly hurting his opponent. Ocasio then proceeded to land right after right, many to Young’s jaw.
The bout evened out somewhat after that, until late in the eighth round. At that time, Young caught a thumb in his left eye, causing immediate swelling. This was compounded by a cut over Young’s right eye in the ninth round.
In the end, the scores from the three officials were identical: 97-95, giving Ocasio the win.
Other fights that day: Carlos de Leon, aka “Sugar” became the first cruiserweight to earn the world championship four times. Bonifacio “El Bony” Avila represented his home country in the 1972 summer Olympics. He retired only two fights after this match with de Leon. Carlos Santos (Puerto Rico) vs. Mustapha Ali, aka “TNT GORDON” (US Virgin Islands). Santos beat Ali with a KO in the eighth round. Andres Torres (Puerto Rico) vs. Tony Stokes, aka “Peewee” (United States). Torres won on a TKO in fifth round. Carlos Betancourt, alias “Cano” (Puerto Rico) vs. Jose Collante (also Puerto Rico). Betancourt won on PTS after eight rounds. Reinaldo Viruet (Puerto Rico; debut) vs. Frank Rodriguez (US?; also debut). Viruet won the MD after six rounds. This would be Viruet’s only professional fight, and the first of only two for Rodriguez.
For more on the Ocasio-Young match-up, see “One Door Opens, Another Closes: Ossie Ocasio Vs Jimmy Young II” from Ringsider Report.
|
