Nicolino Locche '1963'

[Bill Paxtom]

December 14, 1963

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

~ Fight of the Year ~

~ Nicolino Locche Edges Raul Santos Villalba In War At Lune Park ~

Nicolino Locche and Raul Santos Villalba thrilled the 10,000 spectators at Estadio Luna Park
with a wild 10-Round Lightweight battle.

The 'defensive-wizard' Nicolino Loche turned Tiger, and turned the bout into a slugfest in
Round 3, when he had Villalba reeling back on his heels, after getting hammered earlier
in the bout.

Nicolino pounded the Mar del Plata Lightweight 'time-and-again' with jarring right-crosses
to the chin in Rounds 4, 5 and 6.

But Villalba would not back down, and came charging back with vicious left-right combinations
to the head of Locche late in Round 6, to bring the Luna Park crowd to its feet with roars.

Both fighters threw caution to the wind, and went toe-to-toe in Rounds 7 and 8, as each other
was rocked after absorbing solid blows to the chin

In Round 9, Villalba came out blazing, and had Nicolino backing up in a defensive posture, as
he unloaded with everything he had.

But the cagey Locche rolled with the punches, and came charging back at the end of the
Round by shaking Villalba with a left-right to the chin.

With the bout up for grabs entering the Final Round > Locche took command and slammed
Villalba with fast left-hooks into his right-side and mid-section, as he steam-rolled forward
to gain the edge.

Villalba was game and fought back, but over the second-half of the Round he was forced to
back up and cover up, as he was weary at the Bell.

Scorecards
* 197-196 {4-3-3 in Rounds}
* 197-196 {4-3-3 in Rounds}
* 198-197 {3-2-5 in Rounds}

[Bill Paxtom]

1963

Nicolino had 13-Bouts this year, and went 10-0-3 with {0) KO's}.

As of December 31, 1963, Nicolino had a record of 43-1-9 with {8 KO's},
and held both the Argentinian and South Amercan Lightweight Titles.

Nicolino was now the #8 World-Ranked Lightweight.

Manager > Carlos 'Tito' Lecture was trying to entice World Lightweight Champion
Carlos Otiz to come to Buenos Aires to face 'El Intocable', even if it was for a 'non-title'
bout.