Nicolino Locche ~ "The Comeback"

[Bill Paxtom]

October 3, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Loses Out For Rematch ~

~ WBA Champion - Alfonso Frazer Signs To Defend Against 'Kid Pambele' Antonio Cervantes ~

Former Champion {33 year-old} Nicolino Locche will now have to wait for several more months to see if he
can regain his WBA Light-Welterweight Championship.

The Argentinian was supposed to have faced his Panamanian conqueror Alfonso Frazer on September 2nd,
and then September 16th, but an injury to the fore-finger on Locche's right-hand forced the former Champion
to postpone both Championship bouts.

The Champion - Alfonso Frazer and Challenger - Antonio Cervantes are scheduled to face each other on
October 28th in Panama City, Panama.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 5, 1972

~ Nicolino Locche Drops In WBA Ratings ~

*** Alfonso Frazer
#1 . Bruno Arcari {WBC Champion}
#2 . Antonio Cervantes
#3 . Joao Henrique
#4 . Cemal Kamaci
#5 . Roger Zami
#6 . Chang Kil-Lee
#7 . Everaldo Costa Acevedo
#8 . Pedro Adigue
#9 . Nicolino Locche
#10. Manuel Ramos

Forner Champion - Nicolino Locche has dropped to the #9 WBA-ranked Light-Welterweight in the most
recent ratings. The 33 year-old Argentinian has not fought since losing his WBA Belt on March 10, 1972
to Alfonso Frazer.

Nicolino Locche >

"If I cannot secure a rematch, I will resign {retire}. I was having problems with the fore-finger on my
right-hand, which I injured on August 21st. I required 5-Weeks for it to heal properly, and was hoping to
challenge Alfonso Frazer on October 7th."

"Now I will have to re-access my future, and see if I want to continue. I will continue, only if I can get
a chance to fight the winner of the Alfonso Frazer - Antonio Cervantes bout."

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ December 16, 1972

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance ....... { 13,200 }

{#9} Nicolino Locche - 107-3-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 140 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 2 months}
vs.
{#15} Rey Mercado - 18-3-0 {6 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 136 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 2 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Nicolino Locche is having his 2nd bout in his comeback run.

His opponent is fast-handed Puerto Rican boxer in Rey 'King' Mercado. Rey is very quick and
physically-built, but is a small-sized Light-Welterweight. Mercado is a sound and good
technical boxer.

Rey is a 3-Year Professional, and is coming off an impressive 'upset' {KO 6} over French
Light-Welterweight Champion - Baldassare Picone on November 4th in Paris, France.

Rey also has an upset win {TKO 5} over #8 WBC Light-Welterweight - Chris Fernandez
back on June 30th at Madison Square Garden.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Nicolino Scores Decision Win Over Puerto Rican Speedster - Rey Mercado ~

Nicolino Locche was methodical in his 10-Round Decision win over fast-handed and fleet-footed
speed-specialist Rey 'King' Mercado.

The small-sized Puerto Rican was fast and quick over the early going, as he would dart in to
fire fast '2' and '3' punch combinations, and then bounce outside and away from the former
Light-Welterweight Champion.

But the bigger Argentinian bulled his way in close on Mercado during the middle-Rounds, and
used his brute-strength to maul his opponent, especially in Rounds 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Mercado rallied in Round 9, as he used the last of his strength and speed to out-box the
slower 33 year-old Locche.

In the Final Round {Round 10}, Locche was 'masterful' and went to his straight-forward pressing
style, and used solid left-hands to the body and short right-hands to the head which had the visitor
'groggy' and on shaky-pins over the last-half of the Round.

Nicolino Locche won by {3-Points} on all '3' Scorecards.

The Associated Press scored the bout { 6-3-1 } in Rounds for Nicolino Locche.

[Bill Paxtom]

December 1972

~ WBA Ratings ~

*** Antonio Cervantes
#1 . Bruco Arcari {WBC Champion}
#2 . Alfonso Frazer
#3 . Joao Henrique
#4 . Cemal Kamaci
#5 . Roger Zami
#6 . Chang Kil-Lee
#7 . Everaldo Costa Acevedo
#8 . Pedro Adigue
#9 . Nicolino Locche
#10. Manuel Ramos

Nicolino has dropped from *World Champion {March 10, 1972} all the way down to #9.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Ring Magazine ~

*** Antonio Cervantes {WBA Champion}
#1 . Bruno Arcari {WBC Champion}
#2 . Victor Ortiz
#3 . Alfonso Frazer
#4 . Carlos Maria Giminez
#5 . Romano Fanali
#6 . Eddie Perkins
#7 . Joseph Tetteh
#8 . Cemal Kamaci
#9 . Roger Zami
#10. Joao Henrique

This was the first time since November 1961, that Nicolino Locche had 'not' been Rated in
the Top 10 by Ring Magazine.

For 11 straight years, Nicolino was listed in the Top 10 of the Lightweight Division
{November 1961 thru March 1967} and Light-Welterweight Division {April 1967 thru
November 1972}.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ January 25, 1973

Estadio Luna Park ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Attendance ..... { 16,270 } 'Sell-Out'

{9} Nicolino Locche - 108-3-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 138 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 3 months}
vs.
{8} Pedro Adigue - 34-12-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ 142 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 11 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nicolino will go for his 3rd straight win during his 'comeback run'. This will by Nicolino's
toughest opponent by far. Nicolino who is ranked at #9 WBA is taking on Pedro Adigue
who is ranked one-notch higher at #8 WBA.

Pedro Adigue of the Philippines is the former WBC Light-Welterweight Champion, from
{December 14, 1968 thru January 31, 1970}.

Adigue is an aggressive-boxer, who comes to fight. The Filipino has won '5-Straight' with
'4' coming by way of Knockout.

Pedro is currently the OPBF Light-Welterweight Champion.

This bout was originally scheduled for January 18th, but Pedro had difficulties in Manila
with his Passport and Visa.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Nicolino Locche Performs Like Ghost, Decisions Filipino Adigue ~

Nicolino Locche 'El Intocable' performed like a 'ghost' in the Ring, and was untouchable
in winning a 10-Round Decision over former WBC Light-Welterweight Champion - Pedro Adigue
of the Philippines.

The Argentinian {138 lbs.} fighting before a sell-out crowd of { 16,270 } at Estadio Luna Park
did his magic, by 'nodding, bobbing, stepping back and bursting forward' to totally confuse
the aggressive Filipino, and had the visitor swinging at air most of the time.

Locche 'jabbed-and-countered', while stepping side-to-side and lowering his arms, baiting
Adigue to swing away. And when he did, Adigue was unable to reach Loche with a single
hard-blow.

Though Locche was in control, many of the Rounds were 'close' or 'even', as the Argentinian
was minimal with his offense.

On the other hand, Pedro Adigue was tenacious, and attacked aggressively in every Round.
But the Filipino walked into counters in every Round.

Scorecards
* 199-196 > {4-1-5 in Rounds}
* 199-197 > {3-1-6 in Rounds}
* 198-197 > {3-2-5 in Rounds}

Fight Purses
* Nicolino Locche ....... { $20,000 }
* Pedro Adigue .......... { $10,000 } plus travel expenses and amenities.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nicolino Locche >
"I performed well, and gave the Filipino a schooling. He hardly laid a glove on me, and I
boxed with smart tactics."

"I would like one more bout before I challenge 'Kid Pambele' {Antonio Cervantes}."

Pedro Adigue >
"This is ridiculous scoring. I was the one making the fight, as I was putting pressure on
him in every Round."

"He didn't want to fight, and he backed away every time that I moved in. How could he win.
I will never come back here to Argentina."

[Bill Paxtom]

February 1973

~ WBA Ratings ~

*** Antonio Cervantes
#1 . Bruno Arcari {WBC Champion}
#2 . Alfonso Frazer
#3 . Joao Henrique
#4 . Cemal Kamaci
#5 . Nicolino Locche
#6 . Roger Zami
#7 . Everaldo Costa Acevedo
#8 . Chang Kil-Lee
#9 . Pedro Adigue
#10. Josue Marquez

Following Nicolino's win {W Dec 10} over Pedro Adigue on January 25, 1973 > Nicolino
moved up in the WBA Ratings from {#9} to {#5}.

WBA Champion Antonio Cervantes, who won the Title back on October 28, 1972 by a {KO 10}
over Alfonso Frazer, had signed to make his '1st' Title Defense against smart-boxing but
light-hitting Puerto Rican - #10 WBA-ranked Josue Marquez on February 15, 1973.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ February 9, 1973

Club Gimnasia y Esgrima ~ Ciudad Mendoza, Argentina

Attendance ....... { 14,500 } 'Sell-Out'

{5} Nicolino Locche - 109-3-14 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 140 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 5 months}
vs.
{NR} Benny Huertas - 25-15-4 {8 KO's} ~ 5' 5" ~ 138 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 1 month}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nicolino is having his 'final tune-up' bout, in hopes of Challenging WBA Light-Welterweight
Champion - Antonio Cervantes next month {March 1973}

Remarkably, this is Nicolino's 1st-Bout in his hometown of Mendoza in nearly 4-Years, since
{April 3, 1969}.

The bout is held at the Club Gimnasia es Grima de Mendoza, an outdoor football stadium
which seats { 10,500 } with an additional { 4000 } infield seats that have been added.

Benny Huertas is a tough-scrappy club-fighting Puerto Rican who is based out of Brooklyn,
New York.

Benny is a 'fan favorite', as he plows forward and is willing to trade with anyone. Benny
who is a 9-Year Professional, has a {KO 10} over Rey Mercado in {August 1971}, the same
fighter who went 10-Rounds with Nicolino only 2-Months ago on {December 16, 1972}.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Great Nicolino Scores An Easy Decision Over Benny Huertas ~

Former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Nicolino Locche scored an easy shut-out
10-Round Decision over trial-horse Benny Huertas.

Fighting before a sell-out crowd of { 14,500 } hometown fans in Mendoza > Nicolino
boxed smoothing and moved around the ring like an 'invisible ghost' as the Puerto
Rican visitor chased, but could not land with anything solid.

Locche out-muscled Huertas during the first-half of the bout, and then counter-punched
the ever-trying Puerto Rican over the second-half of the bout.

In Round 10, Nicolino displayed his 'magic', as he laid on the Ropes and let Huertas hit
him. Then Nicolino would wait for an opening, and explode with a fast-flurry of punches
to the head to drive Huertas back.

Scorecards
* 200-191 > {9-0-1 in Rounds}
* 200-191 > {9-0-1 in Rounds}
* 200-192 > {8-0-2 in Rounds}