Nicolino Locche ~ "The Comeback"

[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}

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 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.