Nicolino Locche vs. Alfonso Frazer ~ "WBA Champion Upset In Panama"

[Bill Paxtom]

March 1972

Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer

~ WBA Fighter of the Month ~
~ Ring Magazine Fighter of the Month ~

WBA Ratings

*** Alfonso Frazer
#1 . Antonio Cervantes
#2 . Joao Henrique
#3 . Nicolino Locche
#4 . Jimmy Robertson
#5 . Eddie Perkins
#6 . Frank 'Paco' Flores
#7 . Carlos Giminez
#8 . Rodolfo Gonzales
#9 . Jeff White
#10. Roger Zami

[Bill Paxtom]

March 18, 1972

~ Nicolino Claims He Wasn't Prepared In Panama ~

Nicolino Locche 'El Intocable' says that he wasn't properly prepared for his bout
with Alfonso Frazer on March 10, 1972 in Panama.

The defensive-wizard lost his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship after holding
it for 3+ years, and after making '5' Title Defenses.

Nicolino Locche >

"I have no excuses, but I did not have good preparation before the bout. I travelled
to Panama City on February 28th."

"I only had 10-Days to prepare in Panama City, and I was rushing to get in Rounds
with my sparring-partners."

"When I walked into the Ring on March 10th {Friday Night}, I was less than I should
have been. My timing was off, and my speed was poor."

"I only ask for a rematch, and would hope to have that bout here in Buenos Aires as I
travelled to Panama to defend against Frazer. The 'new' Champion should afford me the
same courtesy."

"I beat 'Kid Pambele' {Antonio Cervantes} only 3-Months ago, and he is a much better
fighter than Alfonso Frazer. So I know that I can still win. You will see the old 'Nico'
in the rematch."

[Bill Paxtom]

Macrh 27, 1972

~ Nicolino Will Have To Wait For Rematch ~

Nicolino was hoping to get a rematch with conqueror Alfonso Zamora immediately,
and hopefully for a setting at Luna Park in Buenos Aires.

But, Argentinian Fight Promoter - Juan Carlos Lectoure stated that there was 'no'
rematch clause signed by either fighter in their March 10th bout.
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Juan Carlos Lectoure {Argentinian Fight Promoter} >

"There will be no rematch here in Buenos Ares, no matter what 'Nico' says. I have
talked to Carlos Eleta {Alfonso Frazer's advisor}, and he says that the new Champion
will take 3-Months off."

"They then have plans to have 1 or 2 {10-Round} 'non-title' bouts, and will defend
the WBA Title in September or October."

"Nicolino will just have to stay in Mendoza and spend some of his 'bag' {money} and
wait. Maybe he should get prepared by having a 'tune-up' bout or two in Mendoza."
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Nicolino Locche >

"I will ready for a rematch, as long as I have 2-Months to prepare. I am not interested
in having any tune-up bouts. If they don't want to bring the Panamanian {Alfonso Frazer}
here to Buenos Aires, I will fight him on a 'Neutral Site' in Central America."

[Bill Paxtom]

June 17, 1972

Gimnasio Nuevo {New City Gym} ~ Panama City, Panama

WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Alfonso Frazer scored a {TKO 5} over Al Ford
in a 'non-title' bout.

Alfonso Frazer {Age; 24 years, 5 months} was expected to have a somewhat difficult time
with the 'talented' 21 1/2 year-old Canadian Lightweight Champion.

Al Ford came into the Ring with an impressive record of 41-2-0 with {18 KO's}, and he had
just gone '10' competitive Rounds with WBA Lightweight Champion - Ken Buchanan in a
'non-title' go in London, United Kingdom 3-Months earlier {March 28, 1972} in losing a
Decision.

Ford, at 5' 5" stayed low during the first 2-Rounds, and held his own with the fast-punching
and taller {5' 8"} Panamanian. But Ford's success was a short period.

As Frazer, battered the Canadian Lightweight badly in Rounds 3 and 4, and had the Canadian
in a bad way at the end of Round 4.

Al Ford did not come out for Round 5.

Alfonso Frazer improved his record to 28-4-1 with {21 KO's}.

July 1972 {WBA Ratings}

*** Alfonso Frazer
#1 . Antonio Cervantes
#2 . Rodolofo Gonzalez
#3 . Victor Ortiz
#4 . Eddie Perkins
#5 . Nicolino Locche
#6 . Joao Henrique
#7 . Piero Ceru
#8 . Carlos Giminez
#9 . Roger Zami
#10. Carlos Ortiz

According to Caros Eleta {Manager for Alfonso Frazer}, the WBA Champion will face
Puerto Rican - Esteban De Jesus on July 28th at Madison Square Garden.

There are discussions as to whether the bout will be for the WBA Championship, or if
it will be a 10-Round 'non-title' bout.

Former WBA Champion - Nicolino Locche has 'terminated' his contract with long-time
Trainer - Juan Carlos Cuello and has now reunited with Trainer - Miguel Cavillon.

Nicolino has stated that he will now focus on improving his power, and expects a rematch
with his conqueror {Alfonso Frazer} on Saturday, September 2nd.

Nicolino is asking the WBA, for the Championship Bout to be held at a 'Neutral Site', and
it appears that the Gimnasio Nacionale Indoor Stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador is the
logical choice.

The indoor arena has a capacity of 12,500 > and the 'fight contracts' will call for the
Champion {Alfonso Frazer} to receive a fight purse of { $65,000 }, and the Challenger
{Nicolino Locche} will receive { $25,000 }.

Both fighters will receive a portion of the broadcast receipts {ancillary fee's}.

The former Champion opened up his Training Camp on July 3rd in his hometown of
Mendoza.

[Bill Paxtom]

July 1972

~ The Defensive Myth Of The Gaucho ~

Venezualan Boxing Journalist > 'El Panama American' > Delio Amado Leon

The great defensive-wizardy of 'El Intocable' can no longer be the Argentinian's
only way to win.

The lack of punching power and age has caught up to Nicolino Locche. He is now
too slow to deliver his once quick counters. Nicolono was 'lackadasical' in his bout
the young fast-handed Panamanian - Alfonso Frazer 3-Months ago in Panama.

In that March 10th bout, the 32 year-old Nicolino lost precious time in the early going,
as he let the Challenger take control of the bout and capture most of the first-half Rounds.
And Locche was unable to decipher the Panamanian's awkward style, and many times
was on the receiving end of a fast 'left-right' to the face.

In the most important middle-Rounds {8th thru 11th}, Frazer targeted Nicolino's
arms, and sapped all the strength out of Locche's muscles. The muscular Champion
who has natural brute-strength was not able to take advantage of his vast experience
against the fleet-footed Frazer.

With the bout on his side, the Panamanian still had respect for the aging Champion
over the last 4-Rounds, and always kept his distance.

Respected Boxing Trainer - Carlos Cruz stated that Nicolino has 'too much age', and is
now too slow to compete with the younger, sleeker and faster Challengers in the
Light-Welterweight Division.

[Bill Paxtom]

July 10, 1972

~ Alfonso Frazer and Nicolino Locche Agree To A September 2nd Date For Rematch ~

The 'new' WBA Champion - Alfonso Frazer and former Champion - Nicolino Locche have agreed to a rematch,
to be held in Panama City, Panama on Saturday, September 2nd at the Gimnasio Nuevo.

This will be the 24 1/2 year-old Champion's '1st' Title Defense. The Panamanian defeated Nicolino Locche on
March 10th to capture the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship in an 'upset' 15-Round Decision in
Panama.

The 32 1/2 year-old former Champion from Argentina was reluctant to go back to the Gimnasio Nuevo for a
rematch, but the 'new' Champion insisted on defending his Championship in his home-country for his 1st-Defense.

The Champion - Alfonso Frazer will receive a fight purse guarantee of { $70,000 }, and the former Champion
Nicolino Locche who is now the Challenger will receive { $25,000 } plus additional ancillary fee's from the
Broadcast revenue's thru the Latin Networks.

Alfonso Frazer was supposed to face 'highly-touted' Puerto Rican Lightweight - Esteban De Jesus on
July 28th at Madison Square Garden in New York, but the Panamanian will now agree to wait to
defend his newly won Crown on September 2nd, and in his home-country of Panama.

[Bill Paxtom]

August 21, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Hurts Spear {Finger}, Forced To Pull Out Of WBA Championship Bout ~

Former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion cracked a spear {finger} in his right-hand, and will be
forced to pull out of his September 2nd bout with Champion - Alfonso Frazer in Panama.

The 32 1/2 year-old Argentinian stated he would require 3-Weeks for the 'spear' {finger} to heal,
which he hurt in a sparring-session in Mendoza, Argentina.

As a replacement, Argentinian Lightweight Champion - Carlos Alberto 'Gonzalito' Aro will fill in for
the right-hand injured Locche.

Aro, is a stable-mate of Nicolino Locche, and is also from Mendoza Argentina. Carlos Alberto Aro
{Age; 32 years, 11 months} is the Argentinian Lightweight Champion, and has a record of 63-9-10
with {21 KO's}.

The Argentinian is a crafty 5' 7 1/2" tall southpaw, and has been competing since March 1961
{11+ years}. Ano was the Argentinian Lightweight Champion from {July 1, 1967 thru
November 22, 1969} and recently reclaimed the Title on June 10th of this year.

Ano also held the South American Lightweight Championship from {August 17, 1969 thru November 19, 1971}.

The Argentinian asked for the bout to be for the WBA Title, but the Championship Committee stated
that it would be a 'non-title' bout only.
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Carlos Alberto 'Gonzalito' Aro >

"I am not convinced that Alfonso Frazer is all that he is made out to be. He caught 'Nico' on a bad night,
and that is why he won."

"I'll put much pressure on this 'weed-thin' Panamanian, and see if he can fight backing up."