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.