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

[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."

[Bill Paxtom]

September 2, 1972

~ Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer Halts Argentinian In One ~

WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Alfonso Frazer toppled Argentinian Lightweight
Champion -Carlos Alberto 'Gonzalito' Aro in only 59-Seconds of the 1st-Round.

The 24 1/2 year-old Pananamian circled the Ring at the opening Bell, and baited the
smaller southpaw Argentinian into coming forward.

Frazer, 'weed-thin' at {5' 8"} and with long-arms, speared the 32 1/2 year-old lefty
Argentinian with several long left-jabs, then came over the top with '2' hard looping
right-hands to the jaw.

Aro was quickly staggered, and reeled backwards into the Ropes. The fast-handed
Frazer moved in quickly and unloaded with barrage of fierce punches to the head
that toppled Aro onto the canvas in only 49-Seconds.

The Referee tolled off the '10-Count', as the visiting Argentinian could not beat the count.

The WBA Light-Welterweight Title was not at stake. Alfonso Frazer {140 lbs.} improves to
29-4-1 after scoring his 22nd Knockout.

Carlos Alberto Aro {136 3/4 lbs.} drops to 63-10-10, as this was only the '3rd-Time' in his
11+ year career that he has been stopped.

The Argentinian filled-in for his countryman and stable-mate former WBA Champion
Nicolino Locche who was scheduled to face Alfonso Frazer for the WBA Light-Welterweight
Championship.

Nicolino Locche is nursing a cracked bone in his spear {finger} in his right-hand.
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Carlos Alberto Aro >
"I never saw the punch. He is very fast, and has long arms. I stepped forward and was
ready to throw a straight 'one-two', and he delivered a looping right-hand to my jaw that
I never saw coming. Then he did it again, and I was dazed."

"I came here to seek revenge for my stable-mate and countryman Nicolino Locche. But
I was not up to the task, as he {Alfonso Frazer} is very good. He is very fast, and hits
very hard.'

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ September 4, 1972

~ Alfonso Frazer - Nicolino Locche WBA Championship Bout Switched To San Salvador ~

The WBA Light-Welterweight Championship Bout between Champion Alfonso Frazer of
Panama and former Champion - Nicolino Locche has been switched to Saturday, September 16th
and in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The bout will be held at the Gimnasio Nacional indoor arena.

The bout was originally scheduled for last Saturday Night {September 2nd} and in Panama City
at the Gimnasio Nuevo.

But Nicolino Locche had injured one of his fingers on his right-hand on August 21st, and had asked
for a 2-Week delay, so that his injured finger could heal.

The San Salvador location was agreed upon today by both Camps.
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Alfonso Frazer fought on Saturday, where he scored a 59-Second Knockout in the 1st-Round
over Argentinian - Carlos Alberto Aro.

The Argentinian - Aro was a stable-mate of Nicolino Locche's and was a 2-Week fill-in replacement
opponent for Alfonso Frazer.

Nicolino Locche, who is in Mendoza, Argentina said he would travel to San Salvador on Monday
September 11th, if his injured finger has healed.

Alfonso Frazer, stated that he was ready and in excellent shape. The WBA Champion said that he
would do light workouts for the next 5-Days in Panama, and then travel to San Salvador on
Saturday, September 9th.
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Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer >

"I gave Nicolino a 2-Week postponement. He better be ready for September 16th, or I will defend
my Title against the next Top Challenger. No more delays. Either he wants to challenge me, or
not."

"If Nicolino thinks that I will fight him in Buenos Aires, he's crazy. As I will not got a fair shake
{Judges scoring} there. I'll fight him on a 'Neutral Site', but never in Buenos Aires."

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ September 10, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Pulls Out Again ~

Forner WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Nicolino Locche of Argentina has pulled out
of his rematch with Alfonso Frazer of Panama for the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship.

The bout was scheduled for this Saturday {September 16th}, with the bout to be held at the
Gimnasio Nacional in San Salvador, El Salvador.

This is the 2nd time that the Argentinian has cancelled out of a Championship bout rematch
with Alfonso Frazer.

Locche is still nursing a damaged spear {finger} on his right-hand. A spokesman for the
33 year-old Locche stated that the former WBA Champion would require another 3-Weeks
rest for the 'cracked bone' to heal.

In the interim, Argentinian Lightweight - Juan Domino 'Quito' Corradi will fill-in as a replacement
opponent for the Saturday - September 16th bout.

The 24 1/2 year-old Corradi has an impressive record of 54-2-6 with {34 KO's}, and is currently
ranked as the #9 WBA Lightweight. Corradi is also a stable-mate of Nicolino Locche. The
Argentinian is a { 5' 6 1/2" } boxer/puncher with good technical skills and quick hands.

The Corradi Camp is asking for the WBA to sanction this bout as a Championship Bout.

The Alfonso Frazer Camp has stated they will accept Juan Domingo Corradi as a replacement
challenger.
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Alfonso 'Peppermint' Frazer >

"It doesn't matter which Argentinian they send up here to fight me. I'll send each of them back
home, either beaten up {ie; Nicolino Locche} or knocked out {ie; Carlos Alberto Aro}.


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Juan Domingo 'Quito' Corradi >

"Alfonso Frazer was lucky to beat 'Nico' last March. 'Nico' was not in good shape. Frazer had
a lucky night that's all."

"If the WBA sanctions this bout, I will bring the 'belt' back home and give it to 'Nico' in Mendoza.
If they make this bout a 'non-title fight', I'll wear down Frazer and soften him up for my countryman."