Hector Carrasquilla ~ 'Panamanian Wunderkind'

[Bill Paxtom]

True Story

August 27, 1977

Alexis Arguello who was on the Fight Card that day in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

After watching Hector Carrasquilla demolish Jesus Esparragoza by a TKO in 3.

Alexis Arguello >

"That was the most awesome display of 'raw power and speed' that I have
ever seen in a young fighter."

"I sparred with Jesus for a few days, and that kid was tough as nails. I can't
believe how easy that Hector {Carrasquilla} dropped him."

[Bill Paxtom]

Hector Carrasquilla

August 28, 1977

Rodolfo Siaro {Manager for Hector Carrasquilla}

Hector Carrasquilla
Age ............ 17 years, 3 months, 28 days
Record ....... 11-0-0 {11 KO's}
Ranking ..... #2 WBA Super-Bantamweight

"We want Hector to be the 'youngest' boxer ever to win a World Title. We want
to break Wilfred Benitez' record of; {Age; 17 years, 5 months, 23 days}."

"We have to do it before October 23rd. All we have to do is wait for the winner
of the Elimination Bout between #1 Soo-Hwan Hong and #4 Futaro Tanaka.
They are supposed to fight next week, but I heard that they might delay the
bout a few weeks."

"If they do have a delay, we will be disappointed in not getting a chance for
Hector to be the youngest Champion."

[Bill Paxtom]

Hector Carrasquilla,

Never got the chance to be the 'youngest' Champion.

As the Soon-Hwan Hong vs. Futaro Tanaka bout {which was scheduled for
September 4, 1977} was pushed back 5-Weeks until October 10, 1977.

Soon-Hwan Hong had suffered a hand-injury during Training Camp in late-August,
and required a few weeks off for the hand to heal.

On Monday - October 10th,

Soon-Hwan Hong won a one-sided 12-Round Decsion over Futaro Tanaka in
the WBA Super-Bantamweight Elimination bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 26, 1977

Gimnaseo Panama ~ Panama City, Panama

WBA Super-Bantamweight Championship

Attendance...... 18,000

Soo-Hwan Hong
#1 WBA
Age......... 27 years, 6 months
Height..... 5' 6"
Record.... 39-4-3 {13 KO's}

Hector Carrasquilla
#2 WBA
Age.......... 17 years, 6 months
Height...... 5' 8"
Record..... 11-0-0 {11 KO's}

Soo-Hwan Hong is the former WBA Bantamweight Champion {July 3, 1974 thru March 14, 1975}

The 5' 6" South Korean is a muscular-built power-pack fighter who throws punches-in-bunches.

The {8 1/2 year} Professional is experienced, and has superior boxing skills. Soo-Hwan has
excellent technique, and is both durable and tough. He has only been stopped by the Mexican
power-house machine, Knockout-Artist ~ Alfonso Zamora.

Though he's not a knockout puncher, Soo-Hwan hits hard and often with left-and-right hooks
to the body. Once he has his opponent in trouble, Soo-Hwan will bring his power-punches upstairs.

Soo-Hwan is a 'non-stop' punching dynamo, who is not afraid to trade with anybody.

He has been in the Ring with '5' World Champions >
* Alfonso Zamora - {twice} .... {L KO 4 - March 14, 1975} and { L TKO 12 - October 16, 1976}
* Arnold Taylor ..................... {W Dec 15 - July 3, 1974}
* Venice Borkhorshor ............ {W Dec 12 - May 30, 1976}
* Dong-Kyun Yum ................. {W Dec 12 - June 27, 1977}
* Berkerk Chartvanchai .......... {W Dec 10 - October 7, 1973}

The Skinny >

Though Soo-Hwan is still regarded as a tremendous fighter, there has been some concern
that the {8 1/2 year} veteran has lost some of his punching-power. Soo-Hwan has 'not'
scored a Knockown in his last 6-Bouts, dating back to May 30, 1976.

Fight Plan >

Soo-Hwan Hong didn't 'sugar coat' his intentions. He said that he was going to tear-and-rip
the thin Panamanian teenager's insides apart with heavy hooks to the ribs and mid-section.

Then, after breaking him down, he would come upstairs with hard left-hooks and chopping
right-hands to the head.

[Bill Paxtom]

Fighting for a World Championship

November 27, 1977

Hector Carrasquilla
Age..................... 17 years, 6 months, 27 days
Record ................ 11-0-0 {11 KO's}
Total Rounds ....... '25'

The 'second' youngest Professional boxer to challenge for a World Championship,
behind Wilfred Benitez {Age; 17 years, 5 months, 23 days}

[iamasadlittleboy]

Is there not a dispute about Carrasquilla's record going into his bout with the Korean?

[Bill Paxtom]

Is there not a dispute about Carrasquilla's record going into his bout with the Korean?

Nothing that I could find.

Only have that Hector Carrasquilla was > 11-0-0 {11 KO's} upon entering the Ring in front of 18,000 frenzied Panamanian's.