Latin Assassins Trivia Quiz

Answer: Esteban De Jesus

Benitez never fought for the lightweight belt. Rosario andCamacho both defeated Mexico's Jose Luis Ramirez in separate bouts winning lightweight belts. The tragic Esteban De Jesus enjoyed his finest hour at Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon Puerto Rico on 8 May 1976, putting it all together, annexing the WBC's version of the lightweight championship via unanimous decision after 15 rounds. De Jesus would lose it two and one half years later to his arch rival, Panama's Roberto Duran.

Answer: Esteban De Jesus

While all of these men defeated Duran, it was De Jesus who decisioned (non title) the newly crowned, over confident, under trained, out of shape lightweight champion. The bout took place at Madison Square Garden New York City, 17 November 1972. It would be eight years (70 fights), before Duran would lose again.

Answer: Eusebio Pedroza

The stamina gifted Panamanian, Eusebio Pedroza lost in his initial attempt to win a world title (WBA Bantamweight ) being stopped by Mexico's Alfonzo Zamora in two rounds, 3 April 1976. Two years later on 15 April 1978 he would defeat countryman Cecilio Lastra in 13 rounds to win the WBA featherweight championship. He did not relinquish it until 8 June 1985, when Ireland's Barry McGuigan dropped, dominated, and decisioned him over 15 furious rounds.

Answer: Maurice Hope

While "El Radar" defeated all of these men in championship fights. England's southpaw Maurice Hope was relieved of his WBC superwelterweight title in the 12th round, courtsey of a overhand right thrown by the then 22 year old Bronx born Benitez.

Answer: Wilfredo Gomez

Gomez who received a "Good Luck" call from Duran earlier that day, went on to score his tenth consecutive title defense KO when he blougened Arizona's Nicky Perez in five rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on 29 October 1979. Gomez would go on to make 17 secessfull title defenses of his then WBC Superbantamweight (122-lbs) championship. Winning all by knockout!

Answer: Cuban

Kid Galvilan (Geraldo Gonzalez) 1951-1954, Benny "Kid" Paret 1960-1961, 1961-1962, Luis Manuel Rodriquez 1963, and Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles 1969-1975 were all born in Cuba. These were the first Latin linear welterweight champions.

Answer: Jose Pipino Cuevas

The power punching then 19 year old Mexican, stopped the slick boxing Puerto Rican Angel Espada in two rounds on 17 July 1976 to win the WBA Welterweight title. Four years later he would be assasinated in two rounds as well, by Detroit's "Hit Man" Tommy Hearns.

Answer: Felix Trinidad

Trinidad turned this awesome feat, decisioning the aformentioned 1992 gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya, 1996 Olympic champion David Reid, and the subsequently incarcerated 1984 gold medal winning Pernell Whitaker, in world championship fights.

Answer: Joel Casamayor

The slick boxing Casamayor who lost hotly disputed decisions to Corrales, Castillo and Frietas as a pro, defected from Cuba after winning olympic gold at the 1992 games.

Answer: Oscar De La Hoya

De La Hoya has captured championships (according to these organizations respectively) at 130-WBO, 135-WBO and IBF, 140-WBC, 147-WBC and 154-WBC. Note: De La Hoya, while 147lb-WBC champion and 147lb-WBA champion Ike Quartey signed to fight one another to unify the welterweight championship, however, for some strange reason the WBA strips Quartey of his title shortly before their epic battle. De La Hoya went on to decision Quartey, but was never recognized as 147lb-WBA champion.