Nicolino Locche ~ "The Comeback"

[Bill Paxtom]

Nicolino Locche ~ "The Comeback"

~ 1972 ~

On March 10, 1972

Nicolino Locche was 'upset' by Panamanian and #4 WBA-Ranked Alfonso Frazer in Panama City, Panama.

Nicolino Locche who was making his 6th-Title Defense of the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship that
he won on December 12, 1968.

Nicolino had held the WBA Champinship for {3 years, 3 months}, and despite being {Age; 32 years, 6 months}
was still considered unbeatable. And what made the 'upset loss' a shocker, was that only 3-Months earlier
on {December 11, 1971} Nicolino had handily defeated the talented Colombian - 'Kid Pambele' {Antonio Cervantes}
in a one-sided 15-Round Decision.

The amazing 'unbeaten' run of 'El Intocable' had ended after '57-Bouts' as he went {54-0-3}. Nicolino had
last loss on November 14, 1964 {7 years, 4 months}.
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~ Following the loss to Alfonso Frazer ~

March 18, 1972

Nicolino immediately 'asked' for a rematch. The Argentinian stated that he had no excsuses for the the loss,
but stated that he had not prepared properly, arriving in Panama on {February 28th} only 10-Days before
the bout."

Nicolino Locche >
"I underestimated 'Peppermint' Frazer. I had beaten 'Kid Pambele' very easily in December 1971 and the
Colombian is a much better fighter than Frazer. I was caught by surprise by Frazer's quickness, and I just
never got untracked in Panama."

"I only had a few days of sparring in Panama, and my timing and speed was not there. Once we fight in
Buenos Aires, I will get my Title back. I guarantee it."

In the 'new' WBA Ratings, Nicolino was listed at #3.

[Bill Paxtom]

March 20, 1972

~ Nicolino Wants Immediate Rematch, But Won't get One Too Soon ~

Nicolino Locche was asking for an immediate rematch, and at Luna Park in Buenos Aires,
Argentina for late-June 1972.

But, Juan Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure {Advisor} stated that there was no pre-fight 'rematch clause'
signed between 'then' Champion - Nicolino Locche and 'then' Challenger - Alfonso Frazer.

And Carlos Eleta {Advisor for Alfonso Frazer} stated that his fighter was planning on having
'two' 10-Round 'non-title' bouts first, before making his '1st' Title Defense in his home-country
of Panama, and most likely in September 1972.'

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July 2, 1974

~ Fighter's Advisors Agree To A Date and Venue ~

Rematch set >

Champion - Alfonso Frazer and Challenger- Nicolino Locche will fight for WBA Light-Welterweight
Championship.

Both of the fighter's 'advisors' {Carlos Eleta and Juan Carlos 'Tito' Lectoure} agreed upon a
rematch date {September 2nd}, and with the venue set at the Gimnasio Nuevo in Panama.

Nicolino Locche then 'broke' his contract with long-time Trainer - Juan Carlos Cuello who
had been with him since 1969.

Nicolino then hired Trainer - Miguel Cavillon.

The 'new' Trainer said that he would now focus on increasing the power-punching of the former
Champion.

Nicolino Locche opened up his Training Camp on July 3rd in his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina
and stated that he will dedicate himself to a 60-Day training schedule.



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July 10, 1972

~ Alfonso Frazer and Nicolino Locche Sign Fight Contracts for Rematch ~

Both fighters sign contracts for the September 2, 1972 date.

Alfonso Frazer is to receive a fight purse of { $70,000 }, plus ancillary fee's.
Nicolino Locche is to receive a fight purse of { $25,000 }, plus ancillary fee's.

In the newly listed WBA Ratings, Nicolino has dropped to #5.

[Bill Paxtom]

August 21, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Injures Finger, Forced To Pull Out Of Championship Bout ~

While training in Mendoza, Argentina for his upcoming September 2nd bout and rematch
with now Champion - Alfonso Frazer.

Nicolino suffered an injury {cracked bone} to the fore-finger in his right-hand. Nicolino will
require 2-Weeks rest, before resuming his final training preparation.

The Championship Bout will be pushed back 2-Weeks to September 16th, and the venue will
be switched from Panama City, Panama to San Salvador, El Salvador.
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September 10, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Asks For Another Delay ~

The damaged bone in Nicolino Locche's fore-finger in his right-hand has not healed since he
suffered the injury on August 21st.

The Argentinian was to challenge WBA Champion - Alfonso Frazer on Saturday - September 16th
in San Salvador, El Salvador in an attempt to regain his Championship.

The former Champion has asked the WBA to permit him another delay of {3-Weeks}, and to
re-schedule the bout for October 7th.

[Bill Paxtom]

October 3, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Loses Out For Rematch ~

~ WBA Champion - Alfonso Frazer Signs To Defend Against 'Kid Pambele' Antonio Cervantes ~

Former Champion {33 year-old} Nicolino Locche will now have to wait for several more months to see if he
can regain his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship.

The Argentinian was supposed to have faced his Panamanian conqueror Alfonso Frazer on September 2nd,
and then September 16th, but an injury to the fore-finger on Locche's right-hand forced the former Champion
to postpone both Championship bouts.

The Champion - Alfonso Frazer and Challenger - Antonio Cervantes are scheduled to face each other on
October 28th in Panama City, Panama.
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October 5, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Drops In WBA Ratings ~

*** Alfonso Frazer
#1 . Bruno Arcari {WBC Champion}
#2 . Antonio Cervantes
#3 . Joao Henrique
#4 . Cemal Kamaci
#5 . Roger Zami
#6 . Chang Kil-Lee
#7 . Everaldo Costa Acevedo
#8 . Pedro Adigue
#9 . Nicolino Locche
#10. Manuel Ramos

Forner Champion - Nicolino Locche has dropped to the #9 WBA-ranked Light-Welterweight in the most
recent ratings. The 33 year-old Argentinian has not fought since losing his WBA Belt on March 10, 1972
to Alfonso Frazer.

Nicolino Locche >

"If I cannot secure a rematch, I will resign {retire}. I was having problems with the fore-finger on my
right-hand, which I injured on August 21st. I required 5-Weeks for it to heal properly, and was hoping to
challenge Alfonso Frazer on October 7th."

"Now I will have to re-access my future, and see if I want to continue. I will continue, only if I can get
a chance to fight the winner of the Alfonso Frazer - Antonio Cervantes bout."

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 18, 1972

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance ....... { 14,100 }

{#9} Nicolino Locche - 106-3-14 {14 KO's} - 5' 6" - 141 lbs. - {Age; 33 years, 2 months}
vs.
{NR} Gerardo Ferrat - 25-8-1 {18 KO's} - 5' 8 1/2" - 139 lbs. - {Age; 25 years, 10 months}

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~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino's '1st' comeback bout since losing his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship to
Alfonso Frazer 8-Months ago, back on March 10, 1972.

The 'jury-is-still-out' on whether 'El Intocable' can regain his wizadry.

Gerardo 'El Guero' Ferrat is a tall and lanky hard-punching Mexican fighter. The 4 1/2 year
Professional is based out of Baja California.

Gerardo at one-time {1969 and 1970} was highly-touted and was expected to make some
noise in the Lightweight and Light-Welterweight Division after going unbeaten in his first
'15-Bouts', and scoring an 'upset' {W Dec 10} over former World Junior-Lightweight Champion
Carlos Hernandez in {December 1970} in his home country of Caracas, Venezuela.

After a 'rocky' 1971 where Gerardo went {3-5-0} in '8-Bouts', the Mexican has rebounded
and won 5-of-6 bouts in 1972.
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~ Nicolino Defeats Mexican - Gerardo Ferrat Over 10, But The Jury Is Stll Out ~

A typical Nicilono Locche bout, with the Argentinian showing off his incredible defensive-skills and
rock-granite jaw.

Nicolino opened up by baiting the aggressive Mexican to come forward, where Nicolino would back up
into the Ropes, and counter with left-jabs to his opponent's the face, and left-hooks to his right-side.

In Round 3, Nicolino caught Gerardo coming in with a hard-combination, and nearly dropped the
Mexican with a 'left-right' to the head. Gerardo fell forward and buckled over, nearly touching the
canvas with his gloves.



But the Mexican continued to come forward, and did catch Nicolino with a hard left-hook late in Round 4,
as he opened up a 'small gash' over the former Champion's right-eye.

The Mexican did put up a good fight in Rounds 5 and 6 as well, as he was the aggressor, and routinely
backed up the former Champion, while tagging Locche with wide hooks, including a few right-hand
'loopers'.

But Nicolino fighting with the Luna Park crowd cheering "Nico, Nico", came on hard in Round 7 as he
scored with several 'left-right' combinations to Ferrat's head, shaking his opponent.

In Rounds 8 and 9, Locche {141 lbs.} put on the 'defensive-wizadry', as he bobbed-and-weaved as
Ferrat came in winging. The Mexican was the aggressor but was only able to get through with a few
grazing punches during these Rounds.

In Round 10, Nicolino backed away and let Ferrat sling away with wide-hooks, while countering the
aggressive Mexican with left-hooks and left-jabs.

At the 'End-of-the Bout', the Mexican lifted up Nicolino and walked around the ring with the former
Champion in his arms.

Scorecards
* 118-116 {4-2-4 in Rounds}
* 117-115 {5-3-2 in Rounds}
* 118-116 {4-2-4 in Rounds}

Fight Purses
* Nicolino Locche ..... { $20,000 }
* Gerardo Ferrat ....... { $4200 } plus travel expenses and amenities.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ December 16, 1972

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance ....... { 13,200 }

{#9} Nicolino Locche - 107-3-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 140 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 2 months}
vs.
{#15} Rey Mercado - 18-3-0 {6 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 136 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 2 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino Locche is having his 2nd bout in his comeback run.

His opponent is fast-handed Puerto Rican boxer in Rey 'King' Mercado. Rey is very quick and
physically-built, but is a small-sized Light-Welterweight. Mercado is a sound and good
technical boxer.

Rey is a 3-Year Professional, and is coming off an impressive 'upset' {KO 6} over French
Light-Welterweight Champion - Baldassare Picone on November 4th in Paris, France.

Rey also has an upset win {TKO 5} over #8 WBC Light-Welterweight - Chris Fernandez
back on June 30th at Madison Square Garden.
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~ Nicolino Scores Decision Win Over Puerto Rican Speedster - Rey Mercado ~

Nicolino Locche was methodical in his 10-Round Decision win over fast-handed and fleet-footed
speed-specialist Rey 'King' Mercado.

The small-sized Puerto Rican was fast and quick over the early going, as he would dart in to
fire fast '2' and '3' punch combinations, and then bounce outside and away from the former
Light-Welterweight Champion.

But the bigger Argentinian bulled his way in close on Mercado during the middle-Rounds, and
used his brute-strength to maul his opponent, especially in Rounds 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Mercado rallied in Round 9, as he used the last of his strength and speed to out-box the
slower 33 year-old Locche.

In the Final Round {Round 10}, Locche was 'masterful' and went to his straight-forward pressing
style, and used solid left-hands to the body and short right-hands to the head which had the visitor
'groggy' and on shaky-pins over the last-half of the Round.

Nicolino Locche won by {3-Points} on all '3' Scorecards.

The Associated Press scored the bout { 6-3-1 } in Rounds for Nicolino Locche.