José Becerra

For the Mayor of Pichilemu, see José Santos Becerra.
Jose Becerra
Born
José Becerra Covarrubias

(1936-04-15)15 April 1936
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Died6 August 2016(2016-08-06) (aged 80)
Other namesThe Guadalajara Cobra
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Height5 ft 5 in / 165cm
Boxing record
Total fights75
Wins67
Wins by KO42
Losses5
Draws3

Jesus "José" Becerra (15 April 1936 – 6 August 2016)[1] was a Mexican professional boxer. He became the Undisputed Bantamweight World Champion in 1959. He was known as the Guadalajara Cobra.[2]

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

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. A short time later, Becerra won the Undisputed World Bantamweight Championship with a knockout over Alphonse Halimi.[3]

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.

Professional boxing record

75 fights 67 wins 5 losses
By knockout 42 2
By decision 24 3
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
75 Win 67–5–3 Alberto Martínez PTS 6 13 Oct 1962 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
74 Loss 66–5–3 Eloy Sánchez KO 8 (10), 2:52 30 Aug 1960 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
73 Win 66–4–3 Chuy Rodríguez TKO 4 (10) 12 Aug 1960 Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
72 Win 65–4–3 Kenji Yonekura SD 15 23 May 1960 Korakuen Baseball Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Retained NYSAC, NBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
71 Win 64–4–3 Pimi Barajas TKO 7 (10) 10 Apr 1960 Estadio de la Revolución, Torreón, Mexico
70 Win 63–4–3 Ward Yee UD 10 15 Mar 1960 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
69 Win 62–4–3 Alphonse Halimi KO 9 (15), 0:48 4 Feb 1960 Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
68 Win 61–4–3 Héctor Ceballos KO 3 (10) 18 Dec 1959 Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico
67 Win 60–4–3 Frankie Duran UD 10 12 Dec 1959 Plaza de Toros, Nogales, Mexico
66 Win 59–4–3 Walt Ingram TKO 9 (10) 24 Oct 1959 Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Mexico
65 Win 58–4–3 Alphonse Halimi KO 8 (15), 2:02 8 Jul 1959 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
64 Win 57–4–3 Billy Peacock KO 1 (10) 20 Apr 1959 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
63 Win 56–4–3 Chuy Rodríguez KO 4 (10) 19 Mar 1959 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
62 Win 55–4–3 Mario D'Agata RTD 10 (12) 5 Feb 1959 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
61 Win 54–4–3 Ross Padilla KO 1 30 Nov 1958 Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
60 Win 53–4–3 José Luis Mora KO 5 (10) 25 Oct 1958 Arena Canada Dry, Guadalajara, Mexico
59 Win 52–4–3 Little Cezar TKO 4 (10), 1:40 5 Sep 1958 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
58 Win 51–4–3 Willie Parker KO 2 (10) 14 Aug 1958 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
57 Win 50–4–3 Joey Augustin KO 5 21 Jul 1958 Tijuana, Baja California, U.S.
56 Win 49–4–3 Gaetano Annaloro TKO 10 (10) 28 Jun 1958 Arena Canada Dry, Guadalajara, Mexico
55 Win 48–4–3 Charlie DeBow KO 3 24 May 1958 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico
54 Win 47–4–3 Miguel Lazu TKO 7 (10) 12 Apr 1958 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
53 Win 46–4–3 Héctor Agúndez PTS 10 31 Mar 1958 Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
52 Win 45–4–3 Dwight Hawkins TKO 9 (10) 8 Mar 1958 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
51 Win 44–4–3 José Medel PTS 10 8 Feb 1958 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
50 Win 43–4–3 Jorge Herrera KO 4 (12) 25 Jan 1958 Arema Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
49 Loss 42–4–3 Dwight Hawkins KO 4 (10), 0:24 6 Nov 1957 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
48 Win 42–3–3 Ramón Antonio Calatayud PTS 10 12 Oct 1957 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
47 Draw 41–3–3 Raúl Leanos PTS 10 17 Aug 1957 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
46 Win 41–3–2 Kid Irapuato TKO 8 (10) 1 Aug 1957 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
45 Win 40–3–2 Johnny Ortega TKO 4 (6) 15 Jun 1957 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
44 Win 39–3–2 José Luis Mora PTS 10 25 May 1957 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
43 Win 38–3–2 Chuy Rodríguez PTS 10 27 Apr 1957 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
42 Win 37–3–2 Juan 'Lefty' Perez TKO 4 (10) 2 Apr 1957 Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico
41 Win 36–3–2 José Medel PTS 10 2 Mar 1957 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
40 Win 35–3–2 José Medel PTS 10 9 Feb 1957 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
39 Win 34–3–2 Manuel Armenteros PTS 10 12 Jan 1957 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
38 Win 33–3–2 Jorge Herrera TKO 7 (10) 1 Jan 1957 Plaza de Toros Torreón, Mexico
37 Win 32–3–2 Chuy Guerrero PTS 10 7 Nov 1956 Plaza de Toros, Torreón, Mexico
36 Loss 31–3–2 Germán Ohm UD 10 18 Oct 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico
35 Win 31–2–2 Memo Sánchez PTS 10 6 Sep 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico
34 Win 30–2–2 Jorge Gabino Gómez DQ 5 (10) 9 Aug 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico Gómez was disqualified for going down voluntarily
33 Win 29–2–2 Mario Ruíz PTS 10 21 Jun 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico
32 Win 28–2–2 Rogelio Saucedo PTS 10 31 May 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico
31 Win 27–2–2 Jorge Valverde TKO 7 (10) 11 May 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico
30 Win 26–2–2 Germán Ohm RTD 5 (10) 22 Mar 1956 Arena Olímpico Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Mexico
29 Loss 25–2–2 Cachorro Martínez PTS 10 18 Feb 1956 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
28 Win 25–1–2 Antonio Guevara KO 10 11 Feb 1956 León, Guanajuato, Mexico
27 Win 24–1–2 Rayito García PTS 10 15 Oct 1955 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
26 Win 23–1–2 Antonio Guevara KO 10 8 Oct 1955 León, Guanajuato, Mexico
25 Win 22–1–2 Pepe Villa TKO 7 4 Oct 1955 Mexicco
24 Win 21–1–2 Félix Gaytán PTS 10 16 Jul 1955 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
23 Win 20–1–2 Fili Presa KO 4 2 Jul 1955 León, Guanajuato, Mexico
22 Win 19–1–2 Chava Santiago KO 6 (10) 27 Jun 1955 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
21 Draw 18–1–2 Danny Bedolla PTS 10 11 Jun 1955 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
20 Win 18–1–1 Joe Chamaco KO 5 (10) 28 May 1955 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
19 Win 17–1–1 Chuy Guerrero KO 4 (10) 5 Mar 1955 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
18 Win 16–1–1 Marcelo González PTS 8 12 Feb 1955 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
17 Win 15–1–1 Kid Sonorita KO 4 (8) 4 Dec 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
16 Win 14–1–1 José Luis Navarro PTS 6 18 Oct 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
15 Win 13–1–1 Tomás Cervantes TKO 3 (6) 20 Sep 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
14 Win 12–1–1 Mario León KO 3 (6) 6 Sep 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
13 Draw 11–1–1 José Luis Navarro PTS 6 23 Aug 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
12 Win 11–1 Kid Pichilingo KO 6 (6) 3 Aug 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
11 Win 10–1 Alfredo Escalante PTS 6 19 Jul 1954 Arena Parque Oro, Guadalajara, Mexico
10 Win 9–1 Pompeyo Gutíerrez TKO 3 (6) 3 Jul 1954 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
9 Win 8–1 Raúl Pérez KO 2 (4) 12 Jun 1954 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
8 Win 7–1 Jess Mariscal KO 2 (4) 5 Jun 1954 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
7 Win 6–1 César Reynoso TKO 4 (4) 15 May 1954 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
6 Win 5–1 Rubén Espinosa PTS 6 2 May 1954 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
5 Win 4–1 Jorge Plascencia PTS 4 13 Mar 1954 Arena Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico
4 Win 3–1 Raúl Salazar PTS 6 24 Oct 1953 Atemajac, Jalisco, Mexico
3 Loss 2–1 Lorenzo Ibarra PTS 6 3 Oct 1953 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
2 Win 2–0 Miguel Estrada KO 5 (6) 6 Sep 1953 Atemajac, Jalisco, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Ray Gómez KO 4 (6) 30 Aug 1953 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

The Ring magazine titles

Undisputed titles

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

See also

References

  1. ^ Former champ Jose Becerra passes Archived 2016-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Cuoco, Dan (August 7, 2016). "Jose Becerra: The Guadalajara Cobra". ibroresearch.com.
  3. ^ "José Becerra - Lineal Bantamweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.


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